Description
Footwear Tooling Made Simple: Build Your Brand with Confidence
The right tooling is the foundation of every great shoe. From outsole molds to cutting dies and 3D-printed prototypes, this guide walks you through the entire process—helping you design, manage, and budget for the equipment that brings your vision to reality. With clear explanations, real-world examples, and expert insights from industry veteran Wade Motawi, you’ll gain the confidence to make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes.
Whether you’re a new brand owner, a designer, or a product developer, this book simplifies the complex world of footwear tooling. You’ll learn how to select the right molds, collaborate with factories, and optimize production without overspending — everything you need to take your brand to the next level.
Investing in footwear tooling doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right knowledge, you can create high-quality shoes, control costs, and build a brand that lasts.
The Essentials of Footwear Tooling – Understand different mold types, tooling processes, and manufacturing techniques.
How to Design & Develop Footwear Tooling – From shoe lasts to outsole molds, learn how to create and manage equipment for your brand.
Cost & Budgeting Strategies – Learn how to control expenses, optimize production efficiency, and avoid financial pitfalls.
Factory & Supplier Management – Get insider tips on working with manufacturers, avoiding common mistakes, and ensuring quality control.
Prototyping & Scaling Production – Understand the step-by-step process of building prototypes and moving to full-scale production.
Get your copy of Footwear Tooling Design Guide today and take the next step in your footwear journey!
8.5″ x 11″, 400+ pages, 650+ full-color images
Chapter Overview for Footwear Tooling Design Guide
CHAPTER 1: TOOLING DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, & COSTING
– Understanding the role of tooling in footwear manufacturing
– Essential tooling requirements for modern shoe production
– Designing and developing tooling for efficiency
CHAPTER 2: TOOLING COST AND PRODUCTIVITY CALCULATIONS
– The financial impact of tooling on a footwear brand
– Calculating costs, amortization, and production efficiency
– Forecasting sales vs. tooling investment for profitability
– Understanding mold productivity and return on investment
CHAPTER 3: WHAT ABOUT OPEN FOOTWEAR MOLDS?
– The pros and cons of using open molds in footwear production
– Key considerations: last design, sizing, and quality control
– How open molds affect branding and exclusivity
– When and why to invest in proprietary tooling
CHAPTER 4: THE SHOE LAST IS EQUIPMENT
– The role of shoe lasts in footwear design and manufacturing
– Types of lasts: plastic, metal, CNC-milled
– How lasts impact fit, style, and production efficiency
CHAPTER 5: CREATING YOUR FOOTWEAR PATTERN
– The importance of pattern-making in shoe development
– How patterns define shoe construction and material needs
– Traditional vs. digital pattern-making techniques
CHAPTER 6: MAKING FOOTWEAR CUTTING DIES
– What cutting dies are and why they’re essential in mass production
– The process of creating and testing cutting dies
– Types of cutting dies: steel rule, CNC, and precision-cut dies
CHAPTER 7: OUTSOLE TOOLING DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
– How outsoles are designed and tooled for durability and style
– The role of 3D scanning and CAD modeling in outsole creation
– Step-by-step guide to developing outsole molds
CHAPTER 8: BUILDING PROTOTYPE TOOLING
– The importance of prototyping before full-scale production
– Creating temporary molds for testing new designs
– 3D printing and resin molds for prototype validation
CHAPTER 9: RUBBER OUTSOLE & EVA COMPRESSION MOLDS
– Understanding rubber pressing and EVA compression techniques
– How these molds impact durability, flexibility, and performance
– The process of creating and refining compression molds
CHAPTER 10: COLD CAST RESIN FOOTWEAR TOOLING
– What cold cast resin molds are and when to use them
– Benefits and limitations of resin molds in footwear production
– How resin molds compare to metal and injection tooling
CHAPTER 11: TEMPORARY PROTOTYPE MOLDS
– Why temporary molds are critical for testing and refinement
– Creating low-cost molds before full-scale production
– Pros and cons of various temporary mold materials
CHAPTER 12: 3D PRINTED OUTSOLE TOOLING
– How 3D printing is revolutionizing outsole development
– The benefits of rapid prototyping in footwear tooling
– Comparing 3D printing to traditional mold-making methods
CHAPTER 13: PLASTIC INJECTION MOLDS FOR FOOTWEAR
– The role of plastic injection molding in footwear production
– How injection molds shape key shoe components
– Cost and material considerations for injection molding
CHAPTER 14: PVC & TPR OUTSOLE INJECTION MOLDS
– Understanding the use of PVC and TPR in footwear outsoles
– How injection molding creates durable and flexible outsoles
– The manufacturing process for PVC and TPR tooling
CHAPTER 15: PVC OUTSOLE DIRECT INJECTION
– The direct injection process for PVC outsoles
– Benefits of direct injection vs. traditional molding
– How to optimize tooling for direct injection efficiency
CHAPTER 16: PU FOAM DIRECT INJECTION
– How polyurethane (PU) foam is used in footwear midsoles
– The direct injection process for PU components
– Pros and cons of PU direct injection for performance shoes
CHAPTER 17: PU OUTSOLE INJECTION
– What makes PU outsoles a popular choice for footwear
– The injection molding process for PU outsoles
– Key design considerations for PU outsole molds
CHAPTER 18: EVA INJECTION MOLDS
– How EVA injection molds differ from compression molds
– The benefits of EVA injection for lightweight cushioning
– Mold design and production workflow for EVA tooling
CHAPTER 19: BLOW MOLDING AIRBAGS
– How blow molding is used to create cushioning air units
– The process of developing and refining airbag molds
CHAPTER 20: FOOTWEAR PRODUCTION FIXTURES
– The role of fixtures in shoe manufacturing and assembly
– Different types of fixtures for efficiency and quality control
CHAPTER 21: RADIO FREQUENCY WELDING TOOLS
– How RF welding is used in footwear manufacturing
– Applications for RF welding in synthetic materials
CHAPTER 22: HOT & COLD PRESSING TOOLS
– Understanding hot and cold pressing in footwear tooling
– When to use each method for different materials
CHAPTER 23: SILK SCREEN PRINTING EQUIPMENT
– The role of silk screen printing in footwear branding
– How to design and implement print tooling
CHAPTER 24: COMPOSITE MOLDING FOR SHOES
– How composite materials are molded in footwear production
– Comparing composite molding to traditional shoe tooling
CHAPTER 25: VULCANIZED SHOE PRODUCTION TOOLING
– The tooling process for vulcanized footwear
– How vulcanization differs from cold cement construction
CHAPTER 26: MANAGING YOUR TOOLING
– The importance of proper tooling management
– Avoiding common mistakes in tooling management
CHAPTER 27: CONTROLLING YOUR TOOLING INVENTORY
– Why inventory management matters for tooling longevity
– Preventing loss and damage in tooling inventory
CHAPTER 28: FOOTWEAR TOOLING CARE & REPAIRS
– Best practices for maintaining and repairing molds
CHAPTER 29: FOOTWEAR WITHOUT TOOLING
– Exploring no-tooling footwear production methods
– Pros and cons of producing footwear without traditional molds
CHAPTER 30: FOOTWEAR TOOLING REQUIREMENTS AND COSTS
– A final breakdown of tooling needs and costs
– Budgeting strategies for footwear brands
– Making smart investments in tooling development
CHAPTER 31: BUILDING EQUIPMENT BUDGETS
– How to estimate tooling and equipment costs before production
– Strategies for creating an accurate tooling budget for your footwear brand
Title: Footwear Tooling Design, Development and Costing
Series: How Shoes are Made (Book 6)
Publisher: Shoemakers Media llc (March, 15, 2025)
Language: English
Paperback: 415 pages
ISBN-10: 1735883336
ISBN-13: 978-1-7358833-6-6
Item Weight: 1.6 pounds
Dimensions: 8.5 x 1 x 11 inches
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