How Shoes Are Made: Step By Step

Back in the golden age of handmade footwear the shoemaker bore responsibility for the shoemaking process from start to finish. Now it can feel like fast fashion reigns supreme but plenty of love still goes into creating handmade shoes. Now, unlike the original cobblers, high quality shoes are made using a nesting manufacturing process. So if your question is ‘how does a factory make shoes?’ this is what we’re taking a closer look at. In nesting manufacturing a factory’s various departments each performs different stages of the production process. When a department has finished their role the shoes are forwarded to the next department in line.

And unlike throwaway fashion footwear bespoke shoes undergo a surprisingly high number of different stages before they’re ready to be worn. Not every manufacturer is the same and the number of steps involved depends on the production methods they use. Looking for a ballpark figure? Let’s just say a shoe may be created in 70 steps – or it may take 390!

How Does a Factory Make Shoes?

If that number has your head spinning, you’d probably like to know exactly how shoes are made. Well don’t worry because we won’t go through those 390 steps, or even 70! We’ll just give you a comprehensive look behind the scenes at the shoemaking process.

 

Step 1: The Design Team

mens shoe tech packDifferent departments are responsible for different aspects of the shoes manufacturing process. If you’re starting your own private label you’ll need assistance from prototype through to the finished product. And first up is the design department. These are the guys with the creative vision. The people who know what makes a shoe look good AND perform well. The client provides initial sketches and the in-house designers refine them to ensure they’re technically correct for the shoemaking process. Some footwear designers prefer to draw by hand, others use a computer. But each finished design will depict the shoe from multiple angles.

 

Step 2: The Shoe Last Department

bespoke-shoes-dubai

Before a shoe can go into production it needs a last. This is the physical basis on how your shoes are made. A shoe last is a mould that emulates a foot to give the shoe its shape. Traditionally these were carved from wood but now plastic and metal are also used. Every left and right shoe needs a last so its shape and size can be determined. But a last is no vaguely foot-shaped lump of wood and there are a number of things to take into account when creating one. That includes how a foot rolls when one walks and how this will affect factors such as heel height. Later in the shoemaking process the last is placed inside the shoe so it can be modelled around it. It’s used again once the shoe is almost finished to make sure the end fit matches the original design.

 

Step 3: Stamping and Sewing

Partly due to the sheer number of pieces used to make one shoe, constructing footwear is a true craft. The pieces needed to make the shoe are cut from high quality leather then next in the shoes manufacturing process comes stamping. Now the shoe is referred to as a shaft and the pieces of leather that make it are stamped – or marked. This is to avoid confusion when they’re sewn together. Once the pieces have been stamped they’re marked to indicate where eyelets need to be punched. If the shoe is to have perforated accents – such as a brogue – these are marked too. As are the points of the leather that will be stitched together to make a seam. The parts of the leather to be stitched are then thinned before the shaft is sent to the sewing department.

Step 4: Assembling the Shoe

how shoes are madeThe shoe is stitched and then sent to the die assembly department. No prizes for guessing that this means assembling the shoes – this is the very foundation of how your shoes are made. If the footwear is a classic Derby or an Oxford, a technique called Goodyear welting may be used.

Types of Shoe Construction

Goodyear welting is an intricate shoemaking process dating back to 1872. Using three nails, the first step is to temporarily attach the insole below the shoe last. Then a rubber ridge is fixed to the insole – this makes stitching the shaft to the Goodyear welt easier later. The shaft is laced and fitted over the last. It’s then attached to the insole using hot glue and nails. The next step can take anything from 30 minutes to a fortnight. This is while the shaft and last are set aside to ensure the leather flawlessly assumes the last’s shape.

The shoe is in perfect shape! It’s time to stitch an approximately 3mm wide piece of leather – a welt – to the insole and the lining. The welt is stitched into place using a Goodyear stitching machine. This takes precision to ensure the welt is as close as possible to the shaft and the rubber ridge. 

The beauty of the Goodyear stitch is that because it’s on the inside of the shoe it’s completely invisible. Shoes using this technique generally don’t have a welt running all the way around the insole, omitting the heel section. Instead the shaft and insole are nailed together and a heel-shaped piece of leather, called piping, will fuse the two. When the piping has been nailed to the insole small brass pins ensure it remains at one with the shaft. Now it’s time to remove the last which has been with us every step of the journey. A shank is fitted into the shoe between the heel and front, providing support before the shoes manufacturing process continues.

Goodyear Welt v. the Blake Method

It should be pointed out that not all men’s shoes use the Goodyear welt. Another popular choice for manufacturers of bespoke shoes is the Blake method. Generally the Goodyear welt is more commonly used in British-made shoes. Particularly those crafted in Northampton, the UK’s traditional shoemaking town. The Blake method meanwhile is favoured in mainland Europe, especially in Italy. But what are the differences between the two?

Blake construction is slightly older than the Goodyear welt, dating back to 1856. Stitching cannot be done by hand and is performed using a Langhorn sewing machine. The shoemaker sews each layer of the shoe – the shaft bottom, the insole and the outsole – without welts.  Those who favour the Blake will tell you their shoes are less rigid and more comfortable to wear. The Goodyear, however, is hardier and better in wet weather. (An important consideration in the UK!)

A Blake shoe has no external stitches and is normally closer cut than a Goodyear one. The upper and outsole form a tighter bond, again giving that feeling of flexibility. This is accentuated by the fact that the Blake shoe manufacturing process uses less layers. Goodyear welt shoes have more layers providing that more durable construction that serves style conscious men in damp climates better! However if wet weather is not an issue, how your shoes are made will be of less importance. Providing they’re stylish, well made and help you, or your customers, stand out from the crowd!

 

Step 5: Step Insoles and Decoration

Italian Shoe Factory Private Label

If you’re starting your own shoe line, you’ll be pleased to know your shoe is taking shape rather nicely. But it’s still not looking particularly stylish and its inner is still on the rough and ready side. To address this a filler layer is added. To ensure comfort and movement the filler must be flexible so cork is normally used. This will even out the foundation for the insole which will be glued, and then securely stitched, to the welt.

As you’ve probably gathered, how shoes are made is no mean feat of craftsmanship! But our shoemaking process isn’t finished just yet. Now the pins that were placed in the heel will be removed and the holes they’ve left in the leather sealed. Any ornamental perforation is taken care of at this stage. Or if the finish of the shoe is smooth, seam holes are carefully hidden through a procedure of ironing, dyeing and polishing. Next, the edge of the heel and its outsole are abraded and the visible part of the welt is decorated. The double seam is compacted next and the heel and tips of the sole are dyed. Last but not least, a half-insole with the brand’s logo is inserted and the shoe is carefully cleaned.

 

Step 6: The Shoe Room

finishing

You know nearly everything when it comes to learning how to get shoes made. And we’re nearing the end of our journey. Last stop: the shoe room. This might sound like a dream come true for footwear aficionados. But rather than being a walk-in closet full of brogues and boots, this is where shoes go for one final loving caress. This is the finishing department where bespoke shoes receive the finishing touches that set them apart from their cheaper cousins. The shoes are polished until gleaming and, if the style requires it, they are laced up.

Each and every shoe then undergoes a thorough final quality check. Then they’re packaged and shipped to the retailer, ready for a discerning customer – you!? – to purchase and wear with pride.

 

Want to START YOUR OWN SHOE LINE?

132 thoughts on “How Shoes Are Made: Step by Step

  1. best mulch for playground says:

    Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I
    genuinely enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author.I will make certain to bookmark
    your blog and will eventually come back later on. I want to encourage continue your great writing, have a nice
    weekend!

  2. https://ads.wealthxo.com/user/profile/166955 says:

    I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s equally educative and amusing, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head.
    The problem is an issue that not enough folks are speaking intelligently about.
    I’m very happy that I came across this in my search for something relating to this.

  3. http://flowgenix.net/ says:

    I have been browsing on-line greater than 3 hours today, yet I
    by no means found any interesting article like yours.
    It is beautiful value sufficient for me. In my view, if all
    website owners and bloggers made excellent content as
    you did, the internet will be much more helpful than ever before.

  4. Kassie says:

    I don’t know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else
    encountering problems with your site. It seems like some
    of the written text in your posts are running off the screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them as well?
    This may be a problem with my browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
    Appreciate it

  5. Keto Ascend Ingredients says:

    Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long
    as I provide credit and sources back to your site?
    My blog site is in the exact same area of interest as yours and my users would genuinely benefit from some
    of the information you present here. Please let me know if this alright with you.
    Cheers!

  6. اینجا says:

    I precisely needed to thank you very much once again. I am not sure
    the things that I would have handled in the absence of those tips shared by you concerning such a field.

    It truly was a very terrifying setting for me personally, however , coming across your specialised fashion you
    processed it took me to weep over joy. I will be grateful
    for this guidance and then believe you know what an amazing job you are accomplishing teaching
    many people via your webblog. Most probably you have never got to know all of us.

  7. видео порно says:

    Вулкан Слотс регулярно проводит турниры с ценными призами,
    в которых могут испытать свою удачу все участники игрового клуба.

  8. https://trainingteachers.org.za/groups/what-foods-and-diets-cause-low-libido-in-males-1623039574/ says:

    My developer is trying to persuade me to move to
    .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the
    costs. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on a number of websites for
    about a year and am concerned about switching to another platform.
    I have heard good things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can import
    all my wordpress posts into it? Any kind of help would be really appreciated!

  9. Herbal Pure CBD Review says:

    I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your weblog. Do you ever run into any
    browser compatibility problems? A handful of
    my blog audience have complained about my website not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox.

    Do you have any solutions to help fix this issue?

  10. The Mature Woman's Manual For Increasing Your Sex Drive says:

    I hardly leave comments, however I browsed a
    great deal of remarks here How Shoes Are Made: Step
    by Step | Italian Shoe Factory. I actually do have 2 questions for you if you don’t mind.
    Is it just me or do a few of the remarks look like they are written by brain dead individuals?

    😛 And, if you are posting at other social sites, I would like to follow you.
    Could you make a list of every one of all your social pages like your linkedin profile, Facebook page
    or twitter feed?

  11. CogniBoost Pills says:

    Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed
    reading it, you’re a great author.I will be sure to
    bookmark your blog and will often come back sometime soon. I want to encourage you to continue your great job, have a nice day!

  12. Agility Fit Keto says:

    My wife and i felt delighted Louis managed to finish off his
    researching by way of the ideas he acquired through the web site.
    It is now and again perplexing to just happen to be freely giving tips
    which usually other folks have been selling. And we all realize we need the website
    owner to be grateful to because of that. The specific explanations
    you’ve made, the straightforward website navigation, the relationships your site aid to create – it’s
    most terrific, and it is letting our son in addition to our family know that
    the idea is enjoyable, and that’s exceptionally essential.
    Many thanks for the whole thing!

  13. Linda says:

    Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve been to your blog before but after going through a few
    of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m certainly delighted I came across it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back often!

  14. https://jalandhar.indiaolx.com/user/profile/36647 says:

    I have been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or weblog posts in this
    sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this website.

    Studying this information So i am happy to exhibit that I’ve
    an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed.
    I so much indubitably will make sure to do not overlook this website and provides it a glance regularly.

  15. Herbal Pure CBD says:

    I am really loving the theme/design of your web site. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility issues?
    A small number of my blog audience have complained about my blog
    not working correctly in Explorer but looks great
    in Chrome. Do you have any solutions to help fix this problem?

  16. Infinite Restore Moisturizer says:

    Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s really informative.
    I am gonna watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future.
    Numerous people will be benefited from your writing.
    Cheers!

  17. https://retroendurance.net/ says:

    Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog
    and I am impressed! Extremely useful information specifically the last part 🙂 I
    care for such info a lot. I was looking for this particular info for a very long time.
    Thank you and good luck.

  18. Cyalix Review says:

    Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks,
    However I am experiencing issues with your RSS. I don?t understand the reason why I cannot subscribe to it.
    Is there anybody else getting identical RSS issues?
    Anybody who knows the solution will you kindly respond?
    Thanx!!

  19. http://cogniboostreview.com/ says:

    I have been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog posts
    on this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this website.

    Reading this info So i am happy to express that I have an incredibly excellent uncanny feeling
    I found out just what I needed. I most no doubt will make certain to do not overlook this site and give it a look on a relentless basis.

  20. http://canzanacbdhempoil.com/ says:

    Do you mind if I quote a few of your posts as long as I provide
    credit and sources back to your weblog? My website is in the exact same niche as yours and
    my visitors would definitely benefit from a lot of the
    information you provide here. Please let me know if this alright with you.
    Appreciate it!

  21. CogniMax Reviews says:

    Greetings! Quick question that’s entirely off
    topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?
    My web site looks weird when viewing from my iphone4.

    I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to resolve this issue.
    If you have any suggestions, please share. With thanks!

  22. Cancel says:

    Hey! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which
    blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems
    with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform.
    I would be great if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

  23. Keto XR says:

    Hey very cool website!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Amazing ..
    I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally?I’m happy to find numerous helpful
    information right here in the submit, we need develop more techniques on this regard,
    thank you for sharing.

  24. passion puzzle hack says:

    Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your
    blog and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.

  25. Keto Advance Review says:

    Hey excellent blog! Does running a blog such as this
    require a great deal of work? I have virtually no understanding
    of programming however I was hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyway, should you have any
    ideas or tips for new blog owners please share. I know this is off subject
    but I just had to ask. Cheers!

  26. oxygen sensor says:

    Someone necessarily help to make significantly articles I’d state.

    That is the first time I frequented your website page and to this point?
    I surprised with the research you made to make this particular post amazing.
    Excellent activity!

  27. WillieZSloop says:

    Your look is absolutely unique when compared with others I actually have read stuff from.
    Many thanks for posting when you’ve got the means, Guess I am going
    to just book mark this website.

  28. BioPure Derma says:

    Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely magnificent.
    I actually like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you are saying and the way in which you
    say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it sensible.
    I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is really a great web site.

  29. Xtremax Male Enhancement says:

    Having read this I believed it was rather enlightening.
    I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this information together.
    I once again find myself personally spending a lot of
    time both reading and commenting. But so what, it
    was still worthwhile!

  30. Eunice says:

    Great blog here! Also your website loads up
    very fast! What web host are you using? Can I
    get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site
    loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  31. Micheal says:

    Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to
    help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my
    blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not
    seeing very good results. If you know of any please share. Thanks!

  32. Valarie says:

    naturally like your website however you have
    to check the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it
    very troublesome to tell the truth on the other hand I will certainly come back again.

  33. Perabot Rumah Tangga says:

    Yes, cloth brings warmth, but leather offers
    you a sense power, control and security. If you’re entering into brand new premises
    you might have some idea of the you want them to check like.

    The wood is really a hardwood but is one with the softer variants so can be worked well and easily.

  34. Tas Branded says:

    You can wear a LBD to attend a big event; or else you just put it on to take part in a birthday party.
    Some of the products for ladies include necklaces,
    earrings, rings, bracelets, anklets, handbags, shoes and watches.
    Keep it small with just enough room to get a drivers license,
    charge card, cash, and lipstick.

  35. Politik Indonesia says:

    With less overall being spent in our economy, it did
    what economies usually do under those circumstances.
    The best way on how to handle criticism on the job will be in career-mode.
    Why is it that Scotland is referred to as a country, much more reality it is
    exactly what nationalists wish it to become.

  36. Finance News says:

    On the other hand, in the event of unsecured fund type, its advantage is that you simply
    are not forced to mortgage any land holdings while using lender as security.
    And even anyone who has enough income to think about buying may not
    be able to be eligible for a mortgage. It is probably time for it to seek small enterprise tax assistance by finding a CFO
    or possibly a Chief Financial Officer.

  37. Joker123 says:

    Part of it is definitely an us-versus-them mentality that comes out of your front office staff who feel their jobs are tougher given that they deal with customers (when compared with
    Finance, who handle numbers). And even those who have enough
    income to think about buying might not be able to qualify for a mortgage.
    It is probably time for you to seek small business tax assistance by
    employing a CFO or perhaps a Chief Financial Officer.

  38. Politik Dalam Negeri says:

    On the other hand, in the event of unsecured fund type, its advantage is you are certainly not
    needed to mortgage any land holdings while using lender as
    security. As discussed throughout this series, your net worth will be your current liabilities subtracted out
    of your current gross value (the need for all your major assets and holdings).
    So make sure you satisfy developing a financial advisor
    and look for techniques to consolidate debt with your very own budget.

  39. Bisnis Properti says:

    In fact, reduction of the liabilities by about 50% isn’t
    any big a deal. And even whoever has enough income to take into consideration buying might not be in a position to be eligible for
    a a mortgage. Without warning in September 2008, the 1st signs and symptoms of flaws because
    optimism appeared.

  40. Slot Game says:

    In fact, removal of the liabilities by about 50% is
    not any big a deal. There are plenty of stuff
    that you can do if you refinance that does not only enhance your home’s value but
    cut a persons vision you are going to pay. It is probably
    time to seek small business tax assistance by employing a
    CFO or a Chief Financial Officer.

  41. Home Furniture Solution says:

    Ottomans may be used to add decorative interest
    to some room, though a pop of color, contrasting texture or even a unique shape.
    The glossy glass colour system throws spectacular
    effect around the room. A proper synchronisation from the toilet seat with all the theme of the restroom is necessary.

  42. Berita Gadget says:

    In this way your body is forced to alter by balancing, coordinating and
    being strong with out them leg relying on the other.
    Again you will need to buy the right things per player on the team so they really
    are very equipped to be able to learn the game the way it is supposed to.
    The training’s purpose would be to prepare aspiring players especially children or youth for any
    more complicated level of competition they shall be joining inside future.

  43. Berita Politik says:

    Paralegals can interview clients and witnesses, do legal
    research, draft pleadings, and organize files.
    Several installments of bank employees being shot and killed hit the news.
    When these and other difficult topics are avoided during campaign seasons,
    these are perpetually postpone because campaigns truly never end.

  44. Joker123 says:

    Wow! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a entirely different topic but it has pretty much the
    same page layout and design. Outstanding choice of colors!

  45. Politik Indonesia says:

    This is often a must if you intent to tackling the Singkong Goreng (Cassava tuberoot – twice fried)
    Perfect having an ice-cold beer. They brought their homage by hymns and prayers,
    gifts of food and drink. They are useful, but
    appear best suited for operation in high energy cost areas on an as available basis.

  46. Sejarah Fashion says:

    On the other hand, in case of unsecured fund type, its advantage is that you simply are not required to mortgage
    any land holdings using the lender as security.
    Somebody else got hurt – namely, the parties who sold their
    stock to Sokol without access to the knowledge that Sokol would soon put
    Lubrizol on Warren Buffet’s shopping list. It is probably time and energy
    to seek business financial aid by employing a CFO or possibly
    a Chief Financial Officer.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *