Custom Shoe Design Process at a China Factory

Introduction

Welcome to MOHE. We operate three factories in Wenzhou, Putian, and Guangzhou, producing over 2 million pairs annually for global brands. This guide walks you through our custom shoe design process, from concept to container. No fluff—just the steps, numbers, and decisions you need to source successfully.

1. Initial Consultation & Design Brief

Every project starts with a clear brief. You provide sketches, reference images, or a tech pack. If you only have an idea, our in-house designers create 2D renderings and 3D CAD models. We specialize in athletic, casual, and safety footwear.

What We Need From You

Target price point (e.g., FOB $8–$12 for basic sneakers)
Estimated order quantity (our MOQ is 500 pairs per style for OEM, 1000 for ODM)
Key materials: upper (mesh, leather, synthetic), outsole (rubber, EVA, PU), and any specialty components
Sizing range (US 4–13 or EU 36–46)
Quality standards: ASTM, SATRA, or your own specs

Our Design Fee

Basic 2D design: free with sample order
3D modeling: $150–$300 per style (deducted from production if order placed)
Full tech pack creation: $200–$500

Lead time for design phase: 3–7 business days.

2. Sampling & Prototyping

Once design is approved, we move to sampling. This is the most critical phase—get it right here to avoid costly changes later.

Sample Types

Development sample (A-sample): First physical prototype to check shape, fit, and material combination. Cost: $80–$150 per pair. Time: 7–10 days.
Salesman sample (B-sample): Refined version with correct materials and colors. Used for customer presentations. Cost: $50–$100 per pair. Time: 5–7 days.
Photo sample (C-sample): Perfect for catalog and e-commerce images. Cost: $40–$80 per pair. Time: 3–5 days.
Size set sample: Full size run (typically 5–7 pairs) for fit testing. Cost: $200–$400 per set. Time: 7–10 days.

Revision Policy

We include two rounds of free revisions per sample. Additional rounds cost $30–$50 per pair. We recommend ordering at least one A-sample and one B-sample before production.

Sample shipping: DHL/FedEx, 3–5 days. We cover shipping for orders over $10,000.

3. Material Sourcing & Approval

We source materials globally—leather from Brazil, mesh from Taiwan, rubber from Malaysia. Our purchasing team can suggest alternatives to hit your target cost.

Material MOQs

Custom printed mesh: 500 yards per color
Custom molded EVA: 1000 pairs per color
Leather: 500 sq ft per color
Standard materials (stocked): no MOQ

Material lead time: 7–14 days for stock items, 20–30 days for custom.

We send material swatches for approval before production. This step is mandatory for all custom orders.

4. Production Planning & Manufacturing

Once all samples and materials are approved, we schedule production. Our factories run 6 days a week, with capacity of 50,000 pairs per month per site.

Production Lead Times

OEM (your design): 30–45 days after material arrival
ODM (our design): 25–35 days after sample approval
Rush orders: 20 days (15% surcharge)

MOQ & Pricing

OEM: 500 pairs per style, FOB $6–$15 (depending on complexity)
ODM: 1000 pairs per style, FOB $5–$12
Mixed container: 300 pairs per style, minimum 5 styles (total 1500 pairs)

Payment terms: 30% deposit, 70% before shipment (L/C accepted for orders >$50,000).

5. Quality Control & Testing

We follow a 4-stage QC process:

1. Incoming material inspection: Check color, thickness, hardness, and defects.
2. In-process inspection: Every 500 pairs during assembly.
3. Final random inspection: AQL 2.5 (normal) or 1.0 (tight) per your request.
4. Pre-shipment inspection: Third-party (SGS, Bureau Veritas) available at your cost.

Testing Capabilities (in-house)

Abrasion resistance (Martindale)
Sole adhesion (peel test)
Flexing endurance (SATRA TM92)
Slip resistance (ASTM F2913)
Hydrostatic head (waterproof)

Test reports: Free for standard tests; $50–$150 for specialized.

6. Shipping & Logistics

We handle all export documentation. Common incoterms: FOB Shanghai, CIF to major ports.

Shipping Options

Sea freight: 20–30 days to US West Coast, 35–45 to East Coast. Container cost: $2,500–$4,500 (40HQ).
Air freight: 5–7 days, $4–$6 per kg (for urgent or small orders).
Express (DHL/FedEx): 3–5 days, $8–$12 per kg (samples only).

Packaging: Standard polybag + inner box + master carton. Custom packaging (retail box, hang tags) available at $0.50–$1.50 per pair.

Conclusion

Partnering with MOHE means working directly with the factory—no middlemen. We've streamlined our process so you can go from idea to finished product in 60–90 days. Contact our production team with your brief, and we'll provide a detailed quotation within 48 hours.

MOHE – Your direct factory partner in China.