| Dyeing shoes is considered by some to be an art, not | | | | and follow the advised method for cleaning. Allow the |
| a science, and it is for this reason that you should | | | | shoe to dry completely for going on to the next stage. |
| leave this art to a professional shoe dyer. If you are | | | | Ensuring a good end |
| considering purchasing a pair of shoes online from a | | | | Once you have chosen your color or matched it to |
| supplier who does not offer this service, look for a | | | | your fabric, the dye has to be mixed. At this stage, it is |
| professional close to your home. Most shoe repair | | | | a good idea to ask a professional for a color swatch |
| shops dye shoes as well, this should not be difficult to | | | | before commencing with the dyeing process as this |
| find. | | | | can eliminate any future problems with the final |
| Having this professional shoe dyer come to your home | | | | product. |
| can help when you have to be in contact with them in | | | | Not all dyes are suitable for every application. The dye |
| order to select color swatches and check color hues. | | | | chosen has to be correct for the material of the shoe. |
| This can help make matching the colors much easier. | | | | Most dyes are specific to a fabric type and may not |
| This is important because mixing colors is not an easy | | | | work on other types of fabric. The dyes that are used |
| job and you may need to approve the final color. You | | | | for satin or material fabric shoes are generally water |
| can be sure of what your shoes are going to look like | | | | based and are therefore not waterproof. It is advisable |
| when they have been dyed. | | | | to seal the shoe with a water repellent spray before |
| However, if you are dealing with a company or online | | | | wearing them. This should also help prevent staining. |
| store from whom you have bought your dress or | | | | On this note, satin shoes accept deep color tones |
| outfit from, they are in possession of your fabric colors | | | | such as navy and burgundy very well and due to the |
| already, and you should have no problem with the | | | | reflective quality of the material, you may experience |
| results. | | | | the greatest variance in colors between outdoor and |
| First Steps to Success | | | | indoor lighting. Unfortunately, once dyed, satin shoes |
| It is good to know that dyeing your shoes can take | | | | should not be cleaned. |
| one week to ten days. If you want your shoes ready | | | | Everything in-between |
| to wear on the day of your celebration, you need to | | | | Therefore, once you have bought your shoes, it is time |
| allocate enough time. | | | | to for the professional to take over. He or she can |
| Choosing the correct color is obviously the first stage, | | | | help you with the final color selection; choose the |
| but cleaning the shoes comes next and is extremely | | | | correct type of dye dependent on the fabric, clean the |
| important. Even if the shoes are new, they need to be | | | | shoes and then the art of the dyeing process can |
| cleaned and prepared as any dirt may show up as | | | | begin. Satin and material shoes absorb more dye more |
| white spots after dyeing. Different fabrics require | | | | easily, while the process is trickier for leather and |
| different cleaning methods. For instance, leather shoes | | | | suede. |
| have a protective surface applied to the material | | | | The dye should be applied using a small amount of the |
| during the tanning process, which has to be removed | | | | dye on a small sponge, spreading it evenly and thinly |
| before dyeing. Removing this protective layer makes | | | | over the entire shoe. If too much dye is applied, |
| the leather more receptive to dye. The cleaner should | | | | streaks may appear which can be difficult to control. It |
| be applied with a damp cloth. Some leathers have a | | | | is usually necessary to apply more than one coat in |
| lacquer coating and this has to be removed using a | | | | order to achieve the desired color. Between each |
| solvent. | | | | coat, the dye must be allowed to dry completely. |
| A different cleaning preparation is used for suede | | | | Should any scratches or blemishes become noticeable |
| shoes in order to restore the original surface of the | | | | on the shoe, use a small brush dipped in the dye to |
| fabric. It is very important after cleaning to allow the | | | | touch up these areas. |
| suede to dry completely before the dyeing process. | | | | A full twenty-four hours should be allocated to allow |
| Using an aerosol suede spray is preferable as they | | | | the shoes to dry completely before wearing and a |
| are convenient and they keep moisture to a minimum. | | | | protective coating should be applied to leather. This |
| If you intend dyeing satin or synthetic materials use | | | | conditions the leather while helping to maintain the color. |
| only cleaning materials that are suitable to that fabric | | | | |