3D printing in footwear: disrupting the shoe industry?

3D printing is being incorporated into more and more industries, and fashion is no exception to this. The technology is opening up for new, creative possibilities and solutions. Something we’ve seen being utilised in a variety of ways from jewellery to costume design and so on. Another area where the use of use of the technology is growing is with 3D printing in footwear.

Silvia Fado 3D heels

As you may know additive manufacturing in the shoe sector has really taken off over the past couple of years. As shoes are intricate item to produce, it’s often time consuming and a somewhat specialised field. Especially if it’s a customised product. Thus making 3D printing the perfect tool to make the process easier. This in everything from prototyping to the finished product and detailing of the shoes. All though there is still a way to go before 3D printed components truly gets integrated into mass production, companies like Adidas has already taken great leaps in pushing the technology forward in their sneaker production.

Bringing technological innovation

The craft of creating footwear have been around for centuries, and for a long time it was all done by hand. American Lyman Blake invented the first shoe stitching machine in 1856, which were perfected in 1864. This lead to a heightened industrial side of shoe manufacturing. Now 3D printing in footwear is looking to take it to the next level with more and more designers and manufacturers looking into the possibilities.