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Refresh an old pair of shoes with new colour, create detailed patterns or give your trainers a completely new personality. Painting shoes is a fun DIY project that lets your creativity flow while giving new life to a pair you already own. It saves money and is kinder to the environment than buying new. In this guide, you'll find tips on pens suitable for shoes, learn the process step by step, and get inspiration for your own designs.
What do you need to paint shoes?
First of all, you'll need a pair of trainers that you'd like to refresh or completely transform. Light-coloured shoes often give the clearest results, but if you choose an opaque water-based marker, dark shoes can also be decorated beautifully.
Found the perfect pair? Then it's time to choose your pens! Below you'll find tips on which pens in our range work well on textile and leather shoes. Choose the type of pen that best suits you and your project, the more colours, the more fun!
Sharpie Marker
The classic Sharpie adheres to almost any surface and is available in a variety of tip sizes and colours. It's a highly practical alcohol-based pen that works well on both textile and leather without requiring heat setting or other fixation methods. The colour is slightly more transparent due to the alcohol-based ink, but this is easily solved with additional layers.
All colours and sets →
Posca Marker
Posca is an opaque acrylic marker that works on most materials. As it is water-based, you can heat set your design on fabric by ironing the reverse side of the painted area (without steam) or by using a hairdryer approximately 30 cm away in circular motions. For leather shoes, the design can be protected using a water-based spray varnish.
All colours and sets →
Pintor Marker
The ultimate DIY pen! Like Posca, Pintor is a water-based marker that works on most fabrics as well as leather. Fabric designs can be fixed using the same method as Posca. On leather, a water-based spray varnish will help protect your artwork and improve durability. Pintor is available in a wide range of exciting colours and effects.
All colours and sets →
Pébéo Leather Marker
Setacolor Cuir Leather Marker from Pébéo is an acrylic-based marker developed specifically for leather, both genuine and synthetic. This makes it an excellent choice for leather trainers. The paint is particularly resistant to scratches and wear, making it especially suitable for decorating footwear. For the best durability, clean the surface first with Setacolor Cuir Leather Preparer Deglazer and protect the finished design with a coat of varnish.
All colours and sets →
Paint shoes in 3 steps
Step 1: Preparation
Start by sketching your design on paper before painting directly onto your shoes. This gives you the opportunity to test colours, shapes, text or patterns and reduces the risk of mistakes. Let your creativity flow and give the process the time it deserves.
Think about the colours and styles you enjoy, the shape and design of the shoes, and how your artwork will look once it's applied. Inspiration can come from the clothes you wear, your favourite accessories or other elements of your personal style. Try to choose a design that feels right for you and that you'll continue to enjoy for a long time.
We'll share some design ideas later in the guide.
Step 2: Sketch on the shoes
Now it's time to transfer your design from paper to shoes. We recommend using a pencil. If something doesn't turn out as planned, it's easy to erase and start again. Choose a pencil with a slightly softer lead, such as 2B, so you don't need to press too hard while sketching. Try to draw as lightly as possible, as this will make the lines easier to remove afterwards.
Step 3: Paint
Use your chosen markers and bring your design to life! If you'd like text or patterns to stand out a little more, we recommend outlining them with a black marker, preferably one with a finer tip, such as the Sharpie Fine Tip or Posca PC-1MR. Then comes the most enjoyable part: adding colour. Choose from a huge range of colours and shades from brands including Sharpie, Pintor and Posca.
Finished!
It's that simple, turning last year's tired trainers into an almost brand-new favourite pair! Have you created something you'd like to show us? Tag your photo with #penstore on Instagram so we can see your creation. We love seeing what people make with the pens we recommend.
Ideas for trendy designs
Patterns
Explore different shapes, swirls or floral patterns, there are no limits here! Creating repeating patterns is both relaxing and rewarding, and it's one of the easiest ways to achieve a striking result. Take inspiration from the world around you, patterns can be found almost everywhere if you look closely.
A personal favourite
Paint your favourite character from the series or film you never tire of watching. Let the logo of the team you support through thick and thin take pride of place on your trainers. What music do you love? Who is your favourite band or artist? Add a favourite quote or personal statement to your shoes and show that they're just as unique as you are!
Favourite colours and colour blends
Sometimes you don't need a design at all. By combining your favourite colours or creating soft colour transitions, you can give your shoes a completely new look. A repainted pair of trainers in colours that complement your wardrobe can be just as impactful as a detailed piece of artwork.
Acrylic Markers →
Alcohol Markers →
Leather Paint →
