How to Paint Shoes & Sneakers

Do you have a beautiful pair of shoes that need a little livening up? Painting your shoes is the perfect way to customize them and make them your own.

With painting, you can change the look of any shoe to fit your style. But before you get started, there are certain considerations to keep in mind. You’ll need different materials and techniques depending on which type of shoe you’re working with: leather, vinyl, canvas, or fabric.

Painting shoes can be fun and rewarding no matter what type of material you decide to work with for your project. Let’s explore the different types of shoes and how the material impacts the painting. Also, let’s discover the step-by-step guide on how to paint shoes.

Types of Shoes Based on Materials

Leather Shoes

Leather shoes are the most common type of shoe to paint. They are durable and can be painted with various paints, including acrylics, leather dyes, and even spray paints. A perfect example of a pair of leather shoes that you can paint is the Nike Air Force 1, which is made of a combination of leather and rubber.

Before you start painting, clean the leather surfaces of your shoes with a damp cloth or brush. This will help remove any dirt or debris that could interfere with the paint adhering to the surface. To paint leather shoes, it’s best to use paint specifically designed for leather. This will ensure that the paint adheres properly and won’t crack or peel off over time.

Vinyl Shoes

Vinyl shoes are just like leather shoes, but they have a plastic or rubber construction instead. They may feel hard and rigid, but they are flexible and easy to paint. It’s important to always test the paint on a small portion of your shoe before painting the entire pair. This will help you determine which paints work best for vinyl shoes. Many artists prefer to use latex or acrylic paints because they do not require special setting agents or sealers to make them stick to the canvas.

Canvas Shoes

Canvas is made from fine, lightweight fabric and is generally used for athletic shoes or ballet flats. The best paints for canvas shoes like Vans, for example, are acrylics or latex paints. They are easy to apply and dry quickly for a durable result.

Fabric Shoes

Fabric shoes are entirely different. They are soft and stretchy with many different textures. They can vary from flat soles to crepe soles or even suede. If you want to paint fabric shoes, such as the Nike Roshe Run, you’ll need a special fabric paint and matte medium. This will help you achieve the most realistic finish for your project. Try layering different colors of fabric paint for an interesting artistic effect.

How to Paint Leather or Vinyl Shoes

To paint a pair of vinyl or leather shoes, you will require the following supplies:

• Professional leather deglazer and preparer from Angelus Brand or nail polish remover to remove the polish from the shoes.
• Sand Paper
• Painters Tape
• Angelus leather paint 
• Angelus acrylic finisher
• Eraser and pencil
• Disposable sponge
• Brushes, Q-tips, and cotton buds
• Wooden skewers  
• Leather or vinyl shoe
• Water-resistant drop cloth or lots of newspaper to help with the mess that tends to happen when painting shoes.

Step-by-step Guide

Step 1: Strip Your Shoes 

Start by removing the shoe laces if your shoes are lace-up. Scrub your shoe using sandpaper. Using your Angelus professional leather deglazer and preparer, carefully remove any polish from your shoes. For best results, use a paper towel and rub lightly across your shoes until you are satisfied with the result. Repeat this step on both shoes if desired. It is essential to note that if you leave patches of the original finish, they will prevent the Angelus leather paint from adhering to the surface.

Step 2: Pencil Design You Wish to Paint

After removing any polish from the shoe, you are ready to prepare the surface for your design. Use a pencil to sketch whatever design you have in mind. However, if you have confidence in your art skills, you may skip this step and draw directly onto the shoe. If you do not have access to a pencil, you can use a felt-tip pen. Remember that the leather surface will not be fully receptive to felt-tip ink and will fade over time if exposed to water, so you may wish to remove your design with Angelus waterproof eraser. 

Use the eraser to remove any mistakes or lines that you do not wish to paint and fix any smudges. If the eraser is not working for you, dip the Q-tips or cotton buds in the leather degreaser or leather cleaner and gently rub over the paint mistakes with the cotton. Also, wrap the shoe soles using painter’s tape to have a better finish. 

Step 3: Paint the Design onto Your Shoes

When satisfied with the result and ready to begin painting, use Angelus leather paint, brush liberally over the shoe and allow it to dry for 10-15 minutes. Check the instructions on your paint can for drying time before proceeding. Also, do not forget to apply thin layers of paint so that it doesn’t get too dried out and to avoid cracking.

Step 4: Repeat Step 3

Once the paint is fully dry, repeat Step 3. This will ensure that your shoes have a deep color and dark glossy finish. You may also use paint pens to make more defined lines.

Step 5: Finish and Polish

Once both shoes are painted, use a clean cloth to finish them off. Wipe all excess paint or leftover paint. Next, you will need to polish both shoes using Angelus acrylic finisher. This is to seal and protect your work. You can also use leather cleaner to polish your shoes after you have finished with the finisher liquid without causing any damage to the leather.

You can choose any color combination that you desire. You can even mix more than three colors, or you can use the same color uniformly. Jazz and Marty’s YouTube video shows you how to paint your shoes, which is a great tutorial to follow. All the best.

How to Paint Canvas Shoes or Sneakers

There are numerous types of canvas, including canvas sneakers, canvas sandals, and canvas flats. Similar to Vans, artists love to hand paint Converse because of how popular they are and how much space there is to paint. However, few people know how to paint and seal acrylic paint on canvas or fabric shoes. The supplies required include the following. 

• Canvas shoes
• Acrylic paint or fabric paint
• Primer (gesso)
• Palette
• Brushes
• Finisher
• Painter’s tape
• Paper towels
• Cup of water
• Hair dryer

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Prepare the Shoes

Before painting your shoes, you will have to prepare them. The first thing to do is make sure the shoes are clean. Wipe the shoes with a damp cloth and let them air dry for about half an hour. You can follow this up by wiping the shoe with a paper towel and rubbing it over the surface. This will help you get off any dust particles.

Step 2: Apply the Primer

Once the shoes are clean and dry, you will have to apply primer or gesso on the shoe. This step is important because it will allow your design to adhere to the canvas shoe and stay on the surface. Gesso is a mixture of glue and chalk. Spread a thin coat of gesso with a wet brush over your canvas shoes. Allow it to dry slightly, and then repeat the process if needed. Use painter’s tape to cover the parts you do not wish to paint.

Step 3: Getting Your Design Ready

Before painting your shoes, you will have to prepare your design. You can sketch it on paper and then transfer it onto the shoes with a marker or marker pen.

Step 4: Apply the Acrylic Paints or fabric medium

Depending on your shoe color, you will have to apply acrylic paints or fabric paints. First, you will have to choose a color for your shoes and then prepare it for application on the canvas shoe. You can use acrylic paints or gouache paints to mix colors. When applying acrylic paints on canvas, the best thing to do is to brush them in thin layers over your shoe surface. Leave it for about 15 minutes to completely dry before you start painting over it again. You can also use the hair dryer to make the shoe dry within a shorter time. 

If you are looking for a lighter shade, you can use a brush with bristles so that it will give the best result. However, if you are looking for a darker shade, then dip your brush in water and brush on color over the surface. Use fine brushes to give a smoother effect so that the acrylic paint doesn’t get rubbed off easily. Keep in mind the number of layers of acrylic paint so that it does not get too dry. You may apply more thin coats to your shoe if you use dark shade.

Step 5: Apply the Finisher

Once you finish painting the shoe, you must apply the finisher to ensure your design does not come off. You may also use waterproofing spray for this purpose.

Painting them can be an excellent option if you want shoes that do not break a sweat or smell. It is also a very cheap hobby and great for those who love arts and crafts. Check out Xavier Kickz’s YouTube video to learn how to paint your canvas or fabric shoes. 

What paint can I use to customize my shoes?

Acrylic paint is among the best type of paints to customize your sneakers. This is because acrylics are versatile and very easy to work with. They are also available in a wide variety of colors. But, remember that you will have to use top-notch brands as cheap ones may not give the best results, e.g., Angelus Acrylic paints. However, remember the paint you choose depends on the material of the shoe. For example, you can paint leather and vinyl shoe with leather paints.

Are canvas sneakers art?

Yes, canvas sneakers are considered art because of their unique features and designs. This is because they have a different style and appeal to them. They offer an excellent look and feel as well as great design. Furthermore, these shoes are very cheap to purchase and can be purchased from the local mall and can also be bought on the Internet.

How can I paint my shoes at home?

To paint your pair of shoes at home, you will need to get some disposable like painter’s tape. This will help you tape your shoes and prevent them from getting damaged. You will also require a small brush to apply the paint on your custom shoes. You will also use the tape to help you line up the shoe and paint sneakers.

Is it OK to spray paint shoes?

Yes, it is OK to spray paint shoes if you are certain that you are using the right materials and solutions. For example, you can use spray paint on shoes if you do not use the wrong type of paint. However, spray painting shoes made of leather can be quite difficult and may take some time to achieve good results.

Does painting sneakers take a lot of time?

Yes, painting canvas sneakers takes time as it involves the following routines: preparation (cleaning the shoes), application (painting the shoes), and drying. 

How much do painting shoes cost?

Painting canvas shoes does not cost much because you can use materials readily available at your local stores or shopping mall. You will also not have to hire any professional to paint for you. You may purchase the required materials between $30 and $70. 

How do you seal paint on shoes?

Acrylic sealer spray can be used to seal paint on shoes. This is because they are waterproof and they are very easy to use. Sealers also have wonderful protective and durable properties, allowing the paint to stay on the shoes for long periods. You can also use varnish sealer or a rock-hard top coat, giving your canvas shoe a glossy finish. To do so, you have to apply one coat of top coat clear acrylic varnish and wait for about twenty minutes for the varnish to dry off completely before applying the next coat.

Can I paint my sneakers at home?

Yes, you can easily paint your sneakers at home if you are willing to spend some time doing it. Remember that you will have to purchase the right brushes and paints, which will make a difference in the final result. You should also find a place to do this that is well-ventilated to ensure you don’t breathe in paint fumes. Remember, it may cost less to paint canvas shoes, but it still involves some maintenance. 

How many coats of paint do I need for the shoes?

You will need to apply at least 4 to 5 thin coats of paint to your shoes. This is because you will want a nice polishing effect on the shoe surface, which you can only achieve after applying several very thin layers. You should also ensure that you sand off the excess paint and allow some time for drying before applying the next coat of paint. Additionally, be sure to clean your hand-painted shoes so you can maintain and enjoy the beautiful work you created for a long period of time.