Custom 3D Printed Shoes – Design, Print & Wear Your Unique Pair

According to industry reports, the 3D printed footwear market represents a highly valuable segment, with projections indicating it will grow into a $5.9 billion revenue opportunity during the period from 2019 to 2029 (source: Research and Markets ). This growth is largely driven by advancements in additive manufacturing.

Thanks to 3D scanning, manufacturers have recognised the potential of customisation—whether it’s a unique fashion piece or a functional running shoe. The features are fascinating, as they can be waterproof, wear-resistant, easy to repair, and fully recyclable, while also being super comfortable.

You can now 3D print a shoe that’s sustainable, personalized, and made to last. By combining 3D scanning and printing, it’s possible to 3D print a shoe tailored perfectly to your size and style. This innovation allows anyone to 3D print a shoe that’s truly their own—unique, comfortable, and eco-friendly today.

Ready to bring your ideal footwear to life? Start your custom 3D print shoes project with JLC3DP – where you can easily upload your design and turn it into a wearable reality.

Materials & Technologies for 3D Printed Footwear

TPU as a flexible solution

FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) is a particularly popular 3D printing technology when it comes to using additive manufacturing for shoemaking. Paying attention to settings and features like adequate build volume, a heated building platform, and direct drive extrudes is the way to get the best results. With FDM technology, when it comes to 3D printing shoes layer-by-layer, the most common material is TPU, and with good reason.

TPU’s best feature is its flexibility, which makes it unique and popular for printing soles and upper parts of shoes, for example. Besides great flexibility, TPU also has excellent tear and abrasion resistance, which makes it perfect for applications like phone cases, watch straps and basically anything that needs to be flexible.

You can choose from ten different colours of TPU at JLC3DP when you order our online 3D printing services!

PA12 used by SLS (Selective Laser Sintering)

Another 3D printing technology that can be used for footwear is SLS (Selective Laser Sintering), which works with PA12 (Nylon) powder, making it possible to create complex geometries cost-effectively, layer-by-layer.

SLS technology is particularly good for midsole production, as it allows for intricate, shock-absorbing structures that can be fine-tuned for different types of athletes or walking styles. The result is durable footwear, perfect for high-performance.

Other materials as TPA, EVA used in footwear 3D printing

TPA (Thermoplastic Polyamide) also has a flexible characteristic, like TPU. It is a mechanically elastic material that can be used with SLS 3D printers. Its durability makes it perfect for producing midsoles and uppers, and it is even used to create ski boots due to its impact-resistant feature.

EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) is also popular for making soles, but it can be challenging to use as a filament for 3D printing.

3D Scanning – The Key to Perfect Fit

Many companies have already utilised the benefits of 3D scanning, integrating the data into CAD to offer perfectly fitted 3D printed custom shoes. Most now provide this service as a premium option, allowing clients to enjoy an interactive ordering process and receive unique, personalised footwear with special features.

Even without visiting a store, customers can use their phone’s camera to scan their feet during the online pre-order stage. Powered by advanced scanning technology, the system accurately captures length, width, arch height, and instep measurements to inform the design of their 3D printed custom shoes.

This seamless and interactive experience culminates in highly personalised footwear—whether for everyday comfort, orthotic support, or athletic performance—especially when combined with the possibilities of 3D printing. The result is a pair of 3D printed custom shoes crafted precisely to the individual’s needs.

(source: Volumental)

Why Custom 3D Printed Shoes Are the Future

Manufacturers must realise that, along with mass production, the demand for Custom 3D Printed Shoes is getting higher, driven by the need for personalised design and perfect fit. In the future, this need will be even stronger—it’s not just a trend, but a shift toward improving comfort, health, and smarter, human-centred manufacturing.

By combining 3D scanning with 3D printing, brands can create Custom 3D Printed Shoes with soles optimised through specialised structures, allowing precise control over support and weight. The uppers can also be tailored for a personalised fit without sacrificing breathability or style.

A key advantage of 3D printing across industries—especially for products like Custom 3D Printed Shoes—is the ability to produce small batches without costly tooling, dramatically lowering production expenses. Furthermore, this approach offers lighter, more ergonomic footwear that remains aligned with sustainable values.

3D Printing Shoes Case Studies – From Fashion to Orthotics

From start-ups, through independent designers, to big sportswear companies, 3D scanning combined with 3D printing opens the door to a more agile and creative approach to footwear development.

Sports

Adidas was one of the earliest and most influential adopters of additive manufacturing in footwear. By using SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) for optimised mid-soles, they create innovative, durable adidas 3D printed shoes designed for both athletes and casual users. This approach has made adidas 3D printed shoes a benchmark for performance and sustainability in the industry.

(3d shoes, source: Adidas)

Fashion

Fashion is one of the industries that can benefit most from 3D printing. Creating limited editions, collaborations with different designers, and having full design freedom are the ultimate advantages of using 3D printing in this sector.

Zellerfeld is a German company that realizes the advantage of custom shoes, and helps people get their desired, unique piece of 3d print shoes. They have just released the fully 3D printed Nike Air Max 1000 in collaboration with Nike, using TPU as the 3D printing material.

(3d print shoes, source: Zellerfeld)

Medical

People’s health can benefit from wearing 3D printed footwear, too. Since having a fully customised design can support patients with orthopaedic 3D printed shoes, who need arch correction for example. Wearing the perfect fit every single day is beneficial for all patients in the long run.

Advantages of 3D Printed Footwear Over Traditional Methods

Faster production: Small batches of 3D shoes can be delivered faster with additive manufacturing. Instead of waiting for weeks for tooling, once you have your design and a ready-to-print STL file, you can hold your 3D printed shoes in your hands within hours.

Customisation: Create custom 3d shoes with the freedom of designing personalised objects cost-effectively.

Sustainability: By using recyclable materials like TPU or TPA and generating less waste, the production of 3D shoes becomes a more sustainable alternative to traditional mass production.

Comfort: 3D scanning contributes to comfortable and healthy footwear, with true-to-size items.

High-performance: Whether it's for dancing, running, climbing, or just casual everyday walking in the city, these materials used in 3D printing will get you durable shoes.

Unique, fashionable design: You can literally have your dream shoes, as you imagined, because of the customisable potential 3D technologies offer.

Bring Your Own 3D Printed Shoes to Life!

There are multiple apps available online where you can easily use your phone’s camera to 3D scan your feet, and you will get the needed data to create a ready-to-print STL file with your desired shoe design.

(source: printables)

If you seek some inspiration, JLC3DP has a free shoe design for you that can be 3D printed immediately. We recommend choosing FDM technology and TPU as the material.

With JLC3DP, you can easily turn your design into reality. We offer a wide selection of materials and finishes—compare options and prices in minutes, and start your 3d printed custom shoes project with confidence!

Explore the material choices that JLC3DP offers, and let’s turn your design idea into a functional shoe!