What Makes Our Site Special

Most how‑to articles talk about leather, glue, and sewing. You don’t need any of that here. Designing online means everything happens right in your browser, so you don’t need special tools or art skills—just drag, click, and type. At custom shoe, we start with blank sneakers that are already built and super comfy. You get to decorate every panel the way you want. That means less worrying about mess and more time for creativity, whether you’re in your bedroom, the school library, or hanging out with friends on a tablet.

Why it’s easier: If you can post a photo on social media, you already know 90 % of what to do.

1. What Parts You Can Change

We print your art with strong, water‑based inks that sink into the fabric instead of sitting on top. That means bright colors that won’t peel, even after PE class or a muddy field trip—as long as you follow the cleaning steps at the end.

Fun fact: The ink is eco‑friendly, so it’s kinder to the planet than spray paint or markers.

2. Pick Your Sneaker Style

Visit the Create page on Custom‑Shoe.com and choose one:

1. Low‑Top Sneaker – looks good with jeans, shorts, and even school uniforms. Easy to run in.

2. High‑Top Sneaker – covers your ankle; perfect for bigger designs like flames, galaxy prints, or team logos.

3. Sport Trainer – built‑in foam makes these great for gym class, jogging, or dance practice.

4. Slip‑On – no laces; slide your feet in and go. Awesome for quick trips or beach days.

Tip: Pick the style you’ll wear the most. Shoes at the back of the closet never show off your art!

3. Gather Your Stuff First

• Sharp pictures (PNG or JPG, at least 300 dpi). Blurry images will print blurry.

• Color list—use the Adobe Color Picker to grab exact HEX codes. Matching colors means your design looks pro.

• Foot size—measure both feet at night when they’re slightly bigger. The APMA size guide shows all the steps.

• Idea board—pin cool patterns, cartoon characters, or sports jerseys on Pinterest or save them in a phone album.

• Parent or guardian (optional, but helpful) to check spelling and payment info.

Safety reminder: Always use a flexible tape measure—never trace your foot with scissors in hand.

Having these things ready cuts your design time in half and keeps frustration low.

4. Step‑by‑Step in the Online Builder

1. Upload Art – drag your picture onto any shoe panel. A dotted border shows the safe print area.

2. Mirror or Wrap – click Mirror if you want the same image on both shoes; choose Wrap if your background should flow all the way around.

3. Add Text – hit Text → Add New and pick a font from Google Fonts. Change size, color, or add a drop shadow for pop.

4. Layer Order – move pictures forward or backward so nothing important gets hidden.

5. Spin & Zoom – use the 3‑D view to catch any blurry spots or edges that might get cut off.

6. Pick Your Size – we have US sizes 5–14 for men and 4–12 for women; size chart converts EU or UK numbers with one click.

7. Double‑Check Everything – spelling, colors, and placement. Ask a friend to look too—fresh eyes spot mistakes!

8. Check & Pay – once you pay, the factory starts printing right away, so changes cost extra.

Extra tip: Save your design mid‑way so you can ask friends which version they like.

5. Smart Design Tips

• Avoid the crease: Keep big images away from the toe bend so they don’t crack when you walk.

• Contrast is king: Light words on dark backgrounds show up best; dark words on dark backgrounds disappear.

• Mind the seams: Leave at least 2 mm space from every edge so nothing important gets stitched over.

• Try gradients: A smooth color fade can make simple shapes look high‑tech.

• Test first: Order one test pair if you plan to buy many pairs later—great for sports teams or club fund‑raisers.

6. Cool Ideas to Try

• School Spirit – put your mascot, school initials, and colors on the side panels.

• Birthday Shoes – add your birth date or turning‑age number on the heel.

• Pet Shoes – a cute photo of your dog, cat, rabbit—yes, even a goldfish pattern looks cool!

• Comic Art – draw your own superhero logo or speech bubble that says “Pow!”

• Motivation – one shoe says Never, the other says Quit (or Dream / Big).

• Holiday Theme – snowflakes for winter, suns and waves for summer.

• Glow‑in‑the‑Dark Ink – choose neon layers that light up at night or under blacklight.

Bonus challenge: Design matching shoes with a friend—each of you takes one foot of the pair.

7. How Long It Takes

Costs to remember: Shipping is free on orders over $50. Extra laces or gift boxing cost a little more. We redo or refund only if the shoes arrive messed up or in the wrong size—send clear photos within 7 days so we can help faster.

8. Keep Your Shoes Looking New

Need a detailed wash guide? Sneaker Freaker’s step‑by‑step cleaning guide breaks down every material.

How often?

• Light wear (1–2 times a week): quick wipe‑down every month.

• Daily wear: light clean each weekend, deep clean once a month.

• Sport use: brush off dirt after every session and deep clean weekly.

Rotation rule: Give each pair at least 24 hours to dry out before wearing again; swapping between two pairs can nearly double cushioning life.

Cleaning steps:

1. Wipe dirt with mild soap and a soft brush—old toothbrush works great.

2. Stuff with paper towels and let air‑dry away from heaters or direct sun.

3. Slide in shoe trees (or crumpled paper) to keep shape once dry.

4. Never use bleach or nail‑polish remover—those chemicals can fade the print.

5. Spray a light water shield if you walk in rain a lot.

9. Quick Questions

Can I use photos? Yes—high‑quality photos print great, especially pet pics and vacation shots.
Will the colors match my brand? Enter the exact HEX code. We recommend ordering one pair first to double‑check.
Do you make wide sizes? Not yet. Pick a slip‑on or go up half a size if your feet are extra wide.
Can I delete a design? Yes—just click the trash can icon in your saved projects.
Is gift‑wrapping available? Add the gift‑box option at checkout; it includes tissue paper and a blank message card.

10. Ready to Create?

Grab your art, and Start Designing Now—turn pixels into sneakers that no one else on the planet owns. Share your finished pair on Instagram with #MyCustomKicks for a chance to be featured.

Let your feet tell your story—one colorful step at a time!