We have customised several shoes and accessories with countless unique designs. Painting on shoes is significantly harder than painting on a flat surface. Achieving a level of realism and quality has taken years of practice and dedication to the art. The cost of our commissions reflects this level of skill and the hours it takes to complete each customised piece to the highest of standards.

In this article, we share an insight into the materials we utilise, and the process employed to create all of our one-of-a-kind commissioned custom sneakers.


MATERIALS:

  • Acetone: Acetone cleans any residue left on the shoe, providing a clean surface for better paint adhesion 
  • Paintbrushes: A quality paintbrush set is key to creating clean customs with minimal brushstrokes. Detail brushes are a must for working on micro-details.
  • Heat Gun: A heat gun will help paint layers set quickly, and heat setting is required when working with 2-Soft on soft materials.
  • Paint: Low-quality paint often chips and peels when worn. High-quality acrylic paint will adhere strongly to your shoes and last much longer.
  • 2-Soft: When painting soft materials like mesh or canvas, Angelus 2-Soft will help the paint adhere and remain flexible.
  • Tape: Using masking tape to section off certain areas of your shoes is the easiest way to prevent paint from spreading to unintended parts of the shoe.
  • Leather Preparer & Deglazer: Prep is the first step to customizing any shoe, and Leather Preparer & Deglazer will help paint adhere by getting rid of the shoe's factory finish.
  • Acrylic Finisher: After you finish your custom paint job, acrylic finisher provides a clean finish and protective coating.


PROCESS:

  1. We begin by prepping the shoe using a cotton pad and acetone. Acetone removes any debris, dirt or dust while weakening some of the lacquer the shoe is coated with. Prepping the shoe is an essential step to ensure the paint can properly bond with the leather, elongating its durability.
  2. Occasionally, tape is applied to areas of the shoe that won’t be painted on.
  3. Next, we free hand the design onto the designated area of the shoe using a pencil. A stencil is cut and applied when customising a logo, words/numbers, or any specific icons for improved replication
  4. Using specialised leather paints, we apply a thin layer of paint to begin the customisation. Each layer is dried with a heat gun. The thin layers ensure that the paint will not crack due to the friction caused by wearing the shoes.
  5. When the design is complete, we apply a market leading sealant, drying each of the two coats with the heat gun so the final product has a matte finish.


PREVIOUS WORK:

Sharing the hours it takes for us to complete each pair of custom sneakers is the most obvious insight into the time and effort we devote to each client. The process from design creation to the finalised product is a lengthy one. As each stage of the commission, our full attention is given to drafting, painting and sealing so you always receive the very best we have to offer.

Batman - 16 HOURS

Lion King - 10 HOURS

Juice Wrld - 7 HOURS