3DN: Could you introduce yourself and tell us about your connection to 3D printing?

“My name is Kevin Zürn, and I am the proud founder of Sneakprint GmbH, a brand dedicated to creating custom sneakers featuring revolutionary 3D-printed soles. My personal and professional journey began in Stuttgart, but my academic pursuits led me to Munich, where I specialized in fashion management. Interestingly, my professional background isn’t directly rooted in 3D printing technology, and my university curriculum didn’t specifically focus on this area. However, I have always been deeply fascinated by 3D printing. Its inherent ability to produce incredibly complex shapes and intricate lattice structures with remarkable efficiency and minimal material waste has always captivated me. This fascination, combined with my passion for fashion and footwear design, laid the essential groundwork for what would eventually become Sneakprint, merging advanced technology with the art of shoemaking.”

The midsole of the sneakers was 3D-printed (photo credit: Ruan van Jaarsveldt/Sneakprint)

3DN: How did Sneakprint come to be, and what is your goal?

“The inception of Sneakprint was deeply personal, stemming from my own struggles with footwear and evolving through a pivotal university project. I often faced difficulties finding shoes that truly fit well due to my wider feet, compounded by the necessity of orthopedic insoles. This personal challenge vividly illuminated the immense potential of 3D printing to create genuinely personalized products, capable of addressing individual ergonomic needs and providing targeted support. My vision was further ignited by the emergence of the first commercially available 3D-printed shoes in the market. Witnessing this groundbreaking innovation, I became determined to harness this advanced technology not just for novelty, but to craft sneakers that would offer a perfect, individualized fit for every single customer, transforming the standard approach to footwear.”

“After successfully completing my fashion management studies and gaining invaluable experience within the dynamic fashion industry, the idea for Sneakprint resurfaced with renewed vigor during the unexpected quietude of the COVID-19 pandemic. This period allowed me to intensively research various 3D printing applications specifically within footwear, meticulously analyze the market potential for truly custom shoes, and ultimately, make the decisive move to launch Sneakprint. Our core mission at Sneakprint is to fundamentally transform the footwear paradigm, moving far beyond the limitations of mass-produced shoes and rigid standard sizing that often compromise comfort and foot health. We are committed to utilizing cutting-edge additive manufacturing technology to deliver ‘me-size’ sneakers. These aren’t just customized; they are fully personalized, surprisingly affordable given their bespoke nature, and meticulously tailored to each customer’s unique foot shape, ensuring unparalleled comfort, support, and a truly individual wearing experience. We firmly believe this personalized approach represents the true future of footwear, emphasizing individual well-being over generic production.”

3DN: How is 3D printing utilized in your company?

“At Sneakprint, our primary focus is on producing shoes that provide an exceptional fit, directly addressing a common shortcoming in the mass-market footwear industry where standard sizes often fail to meet individual needs. Every pair of our sneakers features a specially designed insole and midsole, which is perfectly tailored to the individual user’s foot anatomy. The incredible precision, intricate geometries, and deep customization required for this critical comfort component are exclusively achieved through advanced 3D printing technology. While we employ 3D printing for the core comfort element, we also produce our shoe uppers in carefully managed small batches. This strategy, combined with our print-on-demand approach, significantly minimizes unnecessary waste and overproduction, ensuring we only manufacture shoes that are genuinely needed and desired by our customers, aligning with more sustainable practices. This stands in contrast to many contemporary attempts to 3D print an entire shoe, which, in my view, often results in a less desirable direct contact between the foot and plastic materials, impacting breathability and feel. Our method thoughtfully focuses on the essential centerpiece – the midsole and footbed – which is meticulously 3D printed. This allows us to combine state-of-the-art additive manufacturing with high-quality, traditional craftsmanship for the shoe’s upper, creating a superior, holistic product. While our immediate focus is on personalized sneakers, we are already developing exciting ideas for other innovative, custom-fit footwear products, taking it one thoughtful step at a time.”

The sneakers are available in black, white, and gray/white (Photo credits: Ruan van Jaarsveldt/Sneakprint)

“To ensure our customers experience unparalleled comfort and a truly custom fit, our meticulous process begins with a precise foot impression and detailed measurements. Initially, we developed and dispatched a physical impression kit by mail to each customer, allowing them to capture their unique foot shape at home. However, in our continuous pursuit of innovation and enhanced convenience, we are currently integrating an advanced, user-friendly scanning feature directly into our online store. This new capability will empower users to accurately measure their feet from the comfort of their homes using their smartphone, eliminating the need for a physical impression kit. This digital measurement feature enables us to efficiently offer our personalized ‘Me-Size’ sneakers with a ‘Basic Support’ option, though it’s important to note that the specific, detailed orthopedic corrections possible with a physical impression kit will still offer the highest level of customization.”

“Following the initial measurement, our team of highly qualified orthopedic shoemakers meticulously analyzes any problematic areas or specific support needs of the feet. Based on this expert analysis, they then model a highly customized support structure that is perfectly tailored to the wearer’s individual foot contours and requirements. This bespoke midsole is then brought to life using our sophisticated 3D printing technology, ensuring precision and fidelity to the design. Once printed, the midsole is carefully covered with a specialized insert or coating made from various high-quality, comfortable materials. This crucial step not only provides exceptional next-to-skin comfort but also ensures that the wearer’s foot never comes into direct contact with the raw printed material, enhancing the overall feel and durability. Finally, the personalized midsole is seamlessly integrated into the shoe’s design and construction, and the customer receives their truly unique, custom-fitted sneakers, ready to provide ultimate comfort and anatomical support from the very first step.”

“A key aspect of our advanced customization lies in the varying densities and hardness of our midsoles, which are precisely determined based on the individual wearer’s weight and intended use. This meticulous approach guarantees consistent and optimal comfort, cushioning, and responsiveness across different users, regardless of their body mass. Currently, our flagship offering is a versatile sneaker specifically designed for extended periods of urban walking, providing superior cushioning and robust support for city dwellers navigating diverse terrains. The innovative lattice structure we employ in our midsoles is meticulously engineered to mimic the resilience, energy return, and responsiveness of traditional injection-molded foam, serving the singular yet crucial purpose of maximizing wearer comfort and minimizing fatigue. This thoughtful blend of advanced additive manufacturing technology and deep biomechanical understanding ensures that every step in a Sneakprint sneaker is a step in personalized comfort and superior performance.”

3DN: How do you see the future of Sneakprint? Can we expect new projects from you in the future?

“In the dynamic and highly competitive landscape of 3D-printed footwear, the competition never sleeps, and neither do we. To maintain our leadership position and continue succeeding in this innovative market, we are relentlessly pursuing new ideas and engaging in groundbreaking projects. We are constantly experimenting and refining our processes, materials, and designs. A major development on the horizon is our upcoming ‘summer edition,’ which we are eagerly preparing to launch soon. For this specialized collection, we have meticulously tested various 3D printing techniques and materials, selecting the optimal approach for each specific application to ensure both durability and breathability in warmer conditions. Beyond seasonal offerings, we are already hard at work on developing specialized structures optimized for high-performance activities, such as jogging and running, which demand specific cushioning, energy return properties, and stability. Our research and development pipeline also includes exciting ventures into golf shoes, safety shoes, and other specialized footwear categories, demonstrating our broad commitment to broadening the application of personalized 3D printing across diverse needs. Furthermore, our existing collection will see continuous expansion in terms of available colors, stylistic variations, and models, designed to appeal to a wider range of tastes and preferences. We have a multitude of thrilling projects planned for the future, and while we can’t disclose all the intricate details just yet, we promise to share more information in due course as they come to fruition. I am profoundly convinced that the future of the footwear industry is evolving rapidly. Soon, the era of generic, mass-produced sneakers will gradually give way to a predominant shift towards personalized, custom-fitted shoes, fostering a more conscious, sustainable, and discerning purchasing behavior among consumers worldwide. Sneakprint aims to be at the forefront of this revolution.”

Photo credits: Ruan van Jaarsveldt/Sneakprint

3DN: Any final words for our readers?

“It’s a fundamental truth often overlooked: no two feet are exactly alike. In fact, even a person’s left foot can be remarkably different from their right in terms of size, width, and arch structure. Given this inherent asymmetry and profound individuality, how can mass-produced shoes, designed for a generalized average, ever truly provide an ideal fit that supports optimal foot health and comfort? The simple and honest answer is: they can’t. It is critically important for our overall well-being and long-term mobility to wear shoes that are not only supremely comfortable but also impeccably fitted to our unique foot shape. Our feet are the foundational structures upon which we spend our entire lives, serving as our primary shock absorbers, supporting our posture, and enabling our every movement. Yet, despite their vital and continuous role, we often neglect their proper care. Far too many people inadvertently compromise their foot health by forcing their feet into shoes that are either excessively tight and constricting or, conversely, too large, causing instability, friction, and potential injury. Such ill-fitting footwear can lead to various painful issues, deformities, and long-term harm to the feet, ankles, knees, and even back. This is precisely why I strongly advocate for everyone to make a conscious investment in footwear that prioritizes true comfort and is meticulously tailored to the specific contours of their feet, recognizing them as invaluable assets. For those eager to discover more about our innovative approach and personalized solutions for superior foot health and comfort, I invite you to visit the official Sneakprint website by clicking HERE.”

What are your thoughts on the groundbreaking custom sneakers produced by Sneakprint and the future of personalized footwear? We would absolutely love to hear from you! Share your opinions and insights in a comment below or join the conversation on our LinkedIn or Facebook pages. Furthermore, don’t forget to subscribe to our free weekly Newsletter to receive the latest updates, breaking news, and exclusive content in the rapidly evolving world of 3D printing directly in your inbox. You can also explore all our insightful videos, interviews, and content on our dedicated YouTube channel for a deeper dive into additive manufacturing innovations.

*Cover Photo Credit: Ruan van Jaarsveldt for Sneakprint