Today we are sharing information about shoe prototype rates, sneaker design costs and runner 3D modeling procing for companies. The first phase in every physical product design is concept development. The early stage of the development usually involves brainstorming that results in a multitude of ideas. As the process moves forward, the alternatives are narrowed down to just several options. There will be a shift of focus from superficial details, such as colors and shapes, to innovation and functionality.
Table of contents
Product designers approach the process by first putting emphasis on styles before engineers take over and refine the structures/construction. Things are no different in the footwear industry. Traditionally, the designers make some rough sketches on paper and then hand the drawings over to a craftsperson for wax or wood model.
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At the end of this exercise, the shoe begins to take shape as the edges, faces, and vertices become more clearly defined. 3D modelers have now taken over the place of a craftsperson. Instead of developing wood models, they create digital photorealistic drawings of the design on a computer. In case the initial design requires revisions, CAD software offers a range of tools to make modifications and add or remove features. Once the design obtains approval from the designer, the next step is to build a prototype.
Shoe prototype rates – the cost of a prototype
An independent shoe designer or a small startup does not likely have an in-house prototype-making capability. They must find a manufacturing partner to transform their design into reality. The partner will help you purchase the required materials and lend the manufacturing equipment for a fee. It costs anywhere from $600 to around $7,500 for new product prototype services depending on design complexity, embellishments, and features.
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Prototyping may take just several days to a few months until the designer receives the final design. A simple breakdown of the cost is as follows:
| Design Phase | Cost |
| Shoe last | $0 – $750 |
| A pattern based on drawing | $250 – $500 |
| Outsole blueprint | $150 – $600 |
| Solid model of the outsole | $100 – $400 |
| Preliminary sample pair | $50 – $100 |
| Prototype pair | $50 – $100 |
If you are willing to use an already available shoe last (the factory doesn’t have to build a new one), the prototype maker will probably charge you zero dollars for that; there is no work involved. An off-the-shelf shoe last is often the model created for a previously manufactured design. When a new injection mold is required, be prepared to spend no less than $5,000 for the mold alone.
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Shoe development process
Much like any other product development service, creating a new shoe design mainly revolves around transforming CAD drawings into physical footwear. Unless you want to wear the shoes yourself and never sell the products, the development phase ends at prototyping. After you receive the preliminary physical sample (an alpha version), you may want to reiterate the styles and design approach.
Evaluate the shape, colors, comfort, materials, and overall quality to see if everything meets the intended specification. In the event revisions are necessary, the prototype maker will implement the suggestion for the final sample pair (the beta version – a final prototype).
Should you hire a shoe developer?
Chances are you want to build a prototype not just for the sake of prototyping. You do not design a new shoe and order a physical sample just for the fun of it. In most cases, you want to commercialize the product. Unless you know what you’re doing, a shoe developer can be of great assistance to the endeavor. A shoe developer provides oversight to the development process and makes sure the design actually goes into the production run or at least the prototyping phase.
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A 3D designer is responsible for the aesthetic aspect of the footwear, whereas a developer handles all the other technical sides of the product. The responsibility of a shoe developer may include material selection, the structural integrity of the design, comfort factor, development schedule, and determining the target price. It is not uncommon for a designer to take a freestyle approach to shoe design, and it is the developer’s job to keep everything within the constraints of feasibility, technically and financially.
During production, the developer makes sure every pair is manufactured in accordance with your specifications. Established shoe companies also work in a similar way. However, both the designers and developers are in-house professionals. Some prototype makers also have product design consultants.
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Getting the prototype made
Established shoe brands never have trouble getting their prototypes made, at times for free. All prototype makers are looking to build a strong portfolio in an increasingly competitive business landscape. An experience working with international brands will boost their reputation and carve the path to acquiring more clients. It is a low risk to prototype a famous brand, yet it comes with a massive reward if the sample ends up being used as the base model for large-scale production.
An independent designer doesn’t have that kind of luxury. Every prototype designer has a different pricing strategy, but you can expect to pay at least 200% of the actual price. If the pair of shoes – when it goes to production and is sold to the public – costs $50, the prototype is priced at $100 minimum. Tooling cost is billed because the equipment is prepared outside the prototyping facility.
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For an independent designer or startup, it is almost certainly better to work with an agent who has factory contacts. Hiring an agent will add to the total cost. The agent’s main job is to bridge communication between the designer and the prototype maker, so the former can avoid bumping into too much trouble getting the idea approved. Some factories have minimum order quantity. An agent can help you place as small an order as possible as a cost-saving measure. The factory tends to purchase materials and tools from the most affordable suppliers, and this is also where an agent comes in. You may not always have the greatest selections, but at least you have the chance to get the best for your money.
Prototype development timeframe
After the original idea is submitted, a prototype maker needs around two weeks to develop the pattern and colors. Outsole tooling may take up to eight weeks to prepare. Revision following a preliminary sample is done within a few weeks. If the revision requires new tooling and new materials, the final prototype will have to wait a little longer. A timeline of two to three months is not uncommon.
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A timeline of three months may seem like a long time. However, you must understand that a prototype maker probably works with dozens of 3D model designs at a time. For the preliminary sample, the factory may use an existing sole and materials just to let designers and developers see what the final results should be. Over the course of three months, you have the chance to evaluate the outsole blueprints, patterns, materials, and colors. Your agent or developer-partner may have to visit the factory to push the development.
How prototypes are made
The progress follows the same path as a typical product’s development. The first step is to have the designs documented and ready for submission. The manufacturing facility will evaluate the design, and if approved, they will give you a detailed contract/agreement. In case you need an NDA, have one written by an experienced professional. The actual prototyping process starts from here.
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Pattern and Shoe Last
A “pattern” refers to a two-dimensional diagram of the design. Think of it as a technical sketch annotated with details like materials, shape, dimensions, and colors. The pattern is used as the groundwork for a mockup. A “last” is a foot mold meant to be a physical representation of a person’s foot. The only thing it does is to give the shoe an appropriate shape. A new last can cost hundreds of dollars. For prototyping purposes, you can use an existing last to save money.
Mockup Shoe
Before even the preliminary sample, the factory will build a mockup shoe first. There is nothing particularly interesting about a mockup. The materials and components are often of the lowest quality, making the shoes unwearable. The main purpose of a mockup is as an evaluation tool. Based on the created shape and appearance, the factory determines if the shoe actually is a good design. You will be involved in the process. It is your chance to revise your own designs and make general improvements to the ideas.
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Preliminary Sample
Following the mockup phase is the preliminary sample or a prototype alpha version stage. It is not yet the final prototype. At this point, the shoe looks pretty decent or at least close to the intended design. There are probably some missing parts such as logos or embellishments because the sample is only for evaluation purposes. You should find room for improvement and see if the shape and product design are identical to the original idea.
The Prototype
All shoes start as a pair of prototypes. It is the final sample that has undergone at least two sessions of revision based on your inputs. The final version of the prototype should be the best possible representation of your concept. Unless there is another revision, a prototype is identical to the final product.
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Why make a prototype?
Every product comes to life as a prototype. Whether you are an independent designer or a startup, having a prototype made gives the opportunity to evaluate ideas. You may want to remove unnecessary details or add certain features. In general, a prototype is a window of opportunity to implement final improvements over the overall product design.
Unlike a CAD file or sketches, a prototype is a tangible product. You can touch, feel, and wear the shoes to inspect comfort level, aesthetics, and durability. A prototype is built in pretty much the same quality as the final version.
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Tips to consider for shoe prototype design
To make sure you cover all the bases before contacting a factory and submitting your ideas, it helps to practice due diligence in terms of documentation and partner selection. Here are some useful tips:
- Sketch the ideas for the exterior look. You don’t have to use CAD for this – a piece of paper will do as long as you put as much detail as possible. Include information about the materials you want for every part of the shoe as well. Never sketch from just one angle. Having the shoes drawn from multiple points of view helps the factory understand your design approach. Don’t forget to write down the dimension of the shoe, including diameter, width, length, and height.
- Sketch the internal parts of the show, such as the insole. The dimension and materials of the internals must be well-documented too.
- When in doubt about the technical aspects of shoe design, seek help from a professional shoe designer or developer. It makes no sense to design a shoe that no factory can prototype.
- When looking for a prototype maker, it is recommended to focus on companies that specialize in shoes or footwear. Chances are they have all sorts of tooling required for the job and professionals to guide you through the process.
- Submit the concept sketches in a common format, like jpeg or png. You can scan the sketches and convert the format easily on a computer. Tell the factory whether you want to create a one-off prototype for personal use or for a mass-produce shoe design in the future. Based on the information, the company will be able to guide you in the right direction.
- Annotate the scanned image. Include specific information, for example, the type of fabric, the lace design, logo placement, sole materials, dimensions, and thickness. Every little detail is important.
- If you have the resources, use 3D rendering of the design. You may have to hire a 3D modeler to develop the digital drawing.
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The location of the manufacturing facility affects the final cost. A prototype maker based in your local area doesn’t have to spend money on expensive shipping. Even if the factory is located in different states or provinces, the shipping rate wouldn’t cost too much. If the prototype is made overseas, you have to pay the import duty for every sample shipped. The fee is dependent on the country of origin (where the factory is) and your location.
How can Cad Crowd assist?
Working with the best engineering company or prototype design firm is crucial for transforming your ideas into fully functional products. It is essential for inventors to choose a company with reasonable service costs, years of experience, and good policies for the protection of the inventor’s intellectual property rights. The prototype agency or engineering company must also have the experts and technology needed to finish the project timeously. Always work with the best in the industry.
Don’t forget to patent your shoe design! Use Cad Crowd’s on-demand patent attorney search to get all the help you need navigating the patent process. If you’re looking for expert CAD designers make use of our CAD design service to connect with the best CAD designers and drafters in the United States. Contact us today for a free quote.
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