3D printing in footwear is particularly valued in the early stages of production

3D printing is expected to have a significant impact on prototyping processes within the footwear industry. A majority of respondents (52.2%) highlight its use in prototyping components such as soles or heels, while 43.9% recognize its importance in prototyping production tools like molds or lasts. 

Additionally, 35.5% of respondents foresee the application of this technology in prototyping entire footwear products. 

These findings indicate that 3D printing is primarily valued for its ability to streamline design processes, reduce lead times, and enhance product development efficiency, particularly in the early stages of production. 

Beyond prototyping, the potential of 3D printing to revolutionize production is acknowledged, though to a lesser extent. While 24.3% of respondents highlight its role in creating unique and customized products, only 13.1% see it as a viable tool for the full production of on-demand footwear. This suggests that while 3D printing is recognized for its flexibility and customization capabilities, challenges such as scalability, cost-efficiency, and material limitations may currently hinder its broader adoption in mass production. 

Notably, only 3.7% of respondents believe 3D printing will have no relevant impact on the mentioned activities, underscoring its growing influence on the industry.

Footwear Consumption to Increase by 8.4% in 2025

Asia to Present the Fastest Growth in Footwear Production

3D Printing in the Footwear Industry

About Survey

In 2019 the World Footwear has created the World Footwear Experts Panel and is now conducting a Business Conditions Survey every semester. 

The objective of the World Footwear Experts Panel Survey is to collect information regarding the current business conditions within the worldwide footwear markets and disseminate this information to provide an accurate overview of the situation of the global footwear industry. The eleventh edition of this online survey was conducted during the months of November and December 2024. 

We have obtained 107 valid answers, 49% from Asia, 21% from Africa, 18% from Europe, 6% from North America, 5% from South America, and 1% from Oceania. About half of respondents are involved in footwear manufacturing (manufacturers) or footwear trade and distribution (traders) and the other half in other footwear-related activities, including trade associations (12%), education and research (8%), consultancy (8%) and other activities (23%).

Previous Editions of this Bulletin can be found HERE