The invention relates to a method of processing a sheet material for use in the manufacture of a product. The method comprises providing a sheet material having a first surface and a second surface; providing a two-dimensional mark on the first surface of the sheet material; arranging one or more strengthening members at one or more of the first surface and the second surface of the sheet material; imposing an indentation on said first surface of the sheet material; wherein at least part of the indentation is arranged with respect to one or more of at least part of the two-dimensional mark and at least part of the one or more strengthening members to create a three-dimensional mark on said first surface. The invention also relates to a blank for at least part of a manufactured product. The blank comprises a sheet material shaped in accordance with the at least part of a manufactured product, the sheet material comprising a two-dimensional mark on a surface of the sheet material; one or more strengthening members arranged at one or more sides of the sheeting material; wherein one or more of at least part of the two-dimensional mark and at least part of the one or more strengthening members are positioned with respect to an indentation formed in the sheet material to thereby provide a three-dimensional mark on said surface.

The invention relates to a method of processing a sheet material for use in the manufacture of a product. The method comprises providing a sheet material having a first surface and a second surface; providing a two-dimensional mark on the first surface of the sheet material; arranging one or more strengthening members at one or more of the first surface and the second surface of the sheet material; imposing an indentation on said first surface of the sheet material; wherein at least part of the indentation is arranged with respect to one or more of at least part of the two-dimensional mark and at least part of the one or more strengthening members to create a three-dimensional mark on said first surface. The invention also relates to a blank for at least part of a manufactured product. The blank comprises a sheet material shaped in accordance with the at least part of a manufactured product, the sheet material comprising a two-dimensional mark on a surface of the sheet material; one or more strengthening members arranged at one or more sides of the sheeting material; wherein one or more of at least part of the two-dimensional mark and at least part of the one or more strengthening members are positioned with respect to an indentation formed in the sheet material to thereby provide a three-dimensional mark on said surface.

Spiked plate (100) having an operating surface provided with a plurality of conical spikes (200), configured to penetrate into an inner side of a full grain natural leather having a thickness t and make blind holes in said inner side of the full grain natural leather, wherein:—a base diameter d of the conical spikes (200) ranges from 33% to 100% of the thickness t, whereby 0.33−t≤d≤t,—a height h of the conical spikes (200) ranges from 70% to 110% of the thickness t, whereby 0.7−t≤h≤t, and—a minimum distance D between the conical spikes (200) on the operating surface of the spiked plate (100) ranges from 200% to 430% of the thickness t, whereby 2−t≤D≤4.3.Math.t.

Spiked plate (100) having an operating surface provided with a plurality of conical spikes (200), configured to penetrate into an inner side of a full grain natural leather having a thickness t and make blind holes in said inner side of the full grain natural leather, wherein:—a base diameter d of the conical spikes (200) ranges from 33% to 100% of the thickness t, whereby 0.33−t≤d≤t,—a height h of the conical spikes (200) ranges from 70% to 110% of the thickness t, whereby 0.7−t≤h≤t, and—a minimum distance D between the conical spikes (200) on the operating surface of the spiked plate (100) ranges from 200% to 430% of the thickness t, whereby 2−t≤D≤4.3.Math.t.

A method of manufacturing a midsole for an article of footwear includes cutting a pattern of openings at least partway through a midsole with a cutting tool driven by an embroidery machine. An article of footwear includes a midsole defining a pattern of openings extending at least partway through the midsole. An inner surface of the midsole is contoured and the midsole includes upwardly-extending sidewalls. At least some of the openings extend relatively nonparallel with one another through the sidewalls and splay away from one another along longitudinal axes of the openings.

A method of manufacturing a midsole for an article of footwear includes cutting a pattern of openings at least partway through a midsole with a cutting tool driven by an embroidery machine. An article of footwear includes a midsole defining a pattern of openings extending at least partway through the midsole. An inner surface of the midsole is contoured and the midsole includes upwardly-extending sidewalls. At least some of the openings extend relatively nonparallel with one another through the sidewalls and splay away from one another along longitudinal axes of the openings.

An installing hole forming mechanism includes at least one guiding sleeve and an inserting set. The at least one guiding sleeve includes a bore. The inserting set is detachably coupled to the at least one guiding sleeve and includes at least one spike configured to couple to the bore of the at least one guiding sleeve. The at least one spike includes a tip. When the at least one spike passes through the bore of the at least one guiding sleeve, the tip exposes from the guiding sleeve, and the at least one spike and the at least one guiding sleeve are forced to puncture a shoe such that at least one installing hole is formed on the shoe.

An installing hole forming mechanism includes at least one guiding sleeve and an inserting set. The at least one guiding sleeve includes a bore. The inserting set is detachably coupled to the at least one guiding sleeve and includes at least one spike configured to couple to the bore of the at least one guiding sleeve. The at least one spike includes a tip. When the at least one spike passes through the bore of the at least one guiding sleeve, the tip exposes from the guiding sleeve, and the at least one spike and the at least one guiding sleeve are forced to puncture a shoe such that at least one installing hole is formed on the shoe.

A kit of parts may include an article of footwear and a customization device. The customization device and the article of footwear may be particularly designed to limit or prevent customization in particular areas of the article of footwear. Additionally, a method for customizing an article may include acquiring information regarding the fit of an article and forming apertures in the article using the fit information.

A kit of parts may include an article of footwear and a customization device. The customization device and the article of footwear may be particularly designed to limit or prevent customization in particular areas of the article of footwear. Additionally, a method for customizing an article may include acquiring information regarding the fit of an article and forming apertures in the article using the fit information.