Shoes are necessary for everyone’s wardrobe, but few people know how they are made. Shoes go through many steps, from the design process to the finished product, before they hit store shelves.

This blog post will give you a glimpse of how shoes are made. Keep reading to learn more!

How Companies Make The Shoes

Shoe Designing Process

The first step in any manufacturing process is always planning and design. For shoes, this involves a lot of research by the creative team and designers. They analyze the market, competitors, and trends to determine the cost, material, trend, gaps, and opportunities. With all this data, they can develop designs that will appeal to prospects.

After all, if there’s one thing we all know about shoes, they’re not just about function. They’re also about fashion. And that’s why the design phase is so important. It determines whether a shoe will be a hit or a miss.

So the next time you’re admiring a new pair of shoes, remember that a lot of hard work went into making them look that good.

Design a Last

The next step in shoe manufacturing is the last. And no, we’re not talking about the end of the process. A shoe last, in simple words, is a mold that looks like human feet. It also gives the shoe its original design and shape.

Previously, these lasts were made out of wood. However, companies and manufacturers nowadays also use premium metal and plastic materials. This also comes in handy in the latter stages of the shoemaking process and ensures the shoes are designed as planned and match their actual design.

So, if you’re ever wondering why your shoes seem to have a mind of their own, it’s because they were molded that way. 

Stamping

The next step in shoe manufacturing is to mark the pieces of leather that will make up the shaft. This is done to prevent confusion during the sewing stage. These markings help to show where you will punch the eyelets. Besides, the shaft edges are elegantly thinned so that pieces can be attached without any problem.

 This may seem tedious and unnecessary, but it’s vital to ensuring a high-quality product. After all, even the best shoes can’t stand up to lousy sewing!

Adding a Shank

Now is the time to get shanked! No, not in the prison sense of the word. I’m talking about the new trend in shoe manufacturing: shanks. That’s right; many manufacturers now add a shank to our shoes.

For those who don’t know, a shank is a piece of material (usually plastic, Kevlar, fiberglass, or steel) that offers stability and foot support. A shank also provides balance and gives the footwear a proper structure.

Furthermore, Shanks help to give the shoe its shape and make it more comfortable to wear. They also help to distribute weight evenly across the foot. And, of course, they look pretty damn cool.

So next time you’re out shopping for shoes, look for the ones with a shank. Your feet will thank you for it.

Sewing

Sewing is often considered a soft skill set, but when it comes to shoes, it’s critical. A good sew can mean the difference between a shoe that falls apart after a few wears and a shoe that lasts for years. That’s why most shoemakers start their apprenticeship with a focus on sewing.

Today, there are two primary ways that shoes are sewn: by hand and by machine. Hand-sewn shoes are generally considered higher quality, as they’re made with more care and attention to detail.

However, machine-sewn shoes are more consistent in their stitching and often less expensive.

Whichever method is used, the goal is always the same: to create a durable seam that will hold the shoe together through years of wear and tear.

Assembling the Shoe

For many of us, the process of putting on a pair of shoes is a fairly straightforward affair. However, the journey that our shoes take from the factory floor to our feet is anything but simple. It involves a complex series of steps that makers execute with precision and care.

The last step in the shoe-making process is known as die assembly. Here, the various parts of the shoe are stitched together and then sent to the die assembly department. This department is responsible for creating the molds used to shape the shoes.

Once the molds are created, they are sent to the last department, where the shoes are finally assembled.

This final step is crucial as it determines the fit, comfort, and overall quality of the finished product.

With so much riding on this final stage, it’s no wonder assembling is an essential part of how your shoes are made.

Final Touches

The shoe room is the last stop in the long journey from raw materials to the completed product. Here, the manufacturer hands the shoe over to the finisher, who performs the final steps in the production process. The finisher starts by removing any minor imperfections, such as stray threads or excess glue.

Next, they give the shoe a final polish, making it shine from heel to toe. Finally, they package the shoe and ship it off to the client.

In some cases, the journey from the shoe room to the closet can take just a few days. But in others, it can span months or even years.

No matter how long it takes, we like to think that every step in the process is essential to creating a beautiful and timeless piece of footwear.

Conclusion: 

So there you have it, an inside look at the process of making shoes. It’s not as easy as one might think. We hope you enjoyed this post and now have a better understanding of how your favorite pair of shoes came to be. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them with us.

Alimao Footwear Group China

We call us Best Shoe Factory because we provide the best service in the shoe industry, and thanks to our multi-functional production lines, we are now able to manufacture any type and any level of shoes for you. Alimao Footwear Inc. was established in Wenzhou, the center of the shoe industry in China, in 1998. As one of the largest shoe exporters in China, our main business includes Original Equipment Manufacturer and Import and Export Trade. Throughout the years, we have formed solid relationships with over thirty client companies across five continents and established our reputation across the globe. From children’s shoes to Luxury leather shoes, our factories can make every type of shoe for customers. Our main products are private label shoes, customized shoes, luxury leather shoes, children’s shoes, Oxford & Derby shoes, women’s boots, and sneakers. For any questions, feel free to contact hello@bestshoefactory.com!