How Custom Shoe Printing Works

Custom-printed shoes start as blank footwear and end as wearable art. The process is more involved than printing a t-shirt, because shoes have curves, seams, and multiple material panels that each behave differently under ink. This page explains how we do it, what materials are involved, how to prepare a design file, and what to realistically expect from a made-to-order pair.

The printing method

We use sublimation printing for the majority of our custom footwear. Sublimation works by turning ink into a gas under heat and pressure, which bonds permanently with polyester fibres at a molecular level. The result is a print that does not sit on top of the fabric but becomes part of it. It will not crack, peel, or fade the way screen-printed or heat-transferred designs do.

The catch: sublimation only works on polyester or polyester-coated materials. This is why our custom shoe blanks use a polyester canvas upper rather than cotton or leather. The trade-off is worth it. The print quality is photographic, the colour range is unlimited, and the durability is exceptional.

The shoe blanks

Each style starts with a pre-made blank in the correct size. The blank has a polyester canvas upper, a rubber sole, and standard lacing or slip-on construction depending on the style. We carry blanks in boots (combat, ankle, and knee-high), low-top sneakers, high-top sneakers, slip-ons, and casual shoes.

The blanks are produced by our manufacturing partner to consistent sizing standards. They are not handmade artisanal shoes. They are well-constructed production shoes designed specifically to receive sublimation printing. The quality is comparable to mid-range retail footwear.

Design file preparation

Getting the design right before printing saves time and money. Here is what we need:

• Resolution: 300 DPI minimum at the actual print size. Low-resolution images look pixelated when printed across a shoe panel.
• Colour space: RGB. Sublimation inks are mixed from CMYK but the files should be submitted in RGB for the most accurate colour conversion.
• File format: PNG with transparent background is preferred. TIFF and high-quality JPEG also work. Vector files (AI, SVG) are welcome for graphic designs.
• Template: We provide a flat-panel template for each shoe style. The template shows where each panel sits on the shoe, including the inner and outer sides, the toe, the heel, and the tongue. Design your artwork to fit within these panels.
• Bleed: Extend your design 5mm beyond the panel edges. This ensures the print wraps cleanly around the seams without leaving white gaps.

If you do not have a ready design file, you can send us a concept and we will mock it up. Design work is quoted by the hour, but most custom jobs need less than an hour of design time.

What to expect

• Turnaround: 5 to 12 working days from order to dispatch, depending on the style and current queue.
• Colour accuracy: Very close to screen but not identical. Monitor calibration varies, and sublimation inks have a slightly different gamut from digital displays. Neon colours in particular will print slightly less vivid than they appear on screen.
• Placement: The print wraps around the entire upper, so placement depends on how the flat template maps to the three-dimensional shoe. We send a digital preview before printing so you can approve the placement.
• Sizing: Standard US/UK/EU sizes. We recommend ordering your usual size. If you are between sizes, go up.
• Durability: Sublimation prints are permanent. They will not wash out, crack, or peel. The print lasts the life of the shoe. The shoes themselves are comparable to mid-range retail footwear in terms of sole wear and construction.

Start a custom order

Browse the styles in our product range or email [email protected] with your design concept and the style you are interested in. We reply within a working day with a mockup and a quote.