An article, such as an article of footwear or an article of apparel, includes an upper having a gradient-like coloring pattern. The article further includes protruding elements configured in a pattern that corresponds to the coloring pattern. The article may have a layered structure including a base layer, a coloring ink layer and a layer of protruding elements.

Aspects hereof relate to a holding fixture for holding portions of a shoe during painting. The fixture has a lower jig and an upper jig. The lower jig has an outer wall from which a contacting surface extends. The contacting surface is sized to apply a compressive force to the midsole along a desired paint line, and prevents paint from moving onto the midsole below the contacting surface. The top jig has a lower surface configured to be placed in contact with the top surface of the midsole when the midsole is held in the lower jig and is shaped to apply a downward and outward force on the midsole at an edge defined by the top surface of the midsole and the outer perimeter surface of the midsole, to thereby prevent paint from moving onto the top surface of the shoe portion.

Aspects hereof relate to a holding fixture for holding portions of a shoe during painting. The fixture has a lower jig and an upper jig. The lower jig has an outer wall from which a contacting surface extends. The contacting surface is sized to apply a compressive force to the midsole along a desired paint line, and prevents paint from moving onto the midsole below the contacting surface. The top jig has a lower surface configured to be placed in contact with the top surface of the midsole when the midsole is held in the lower jig and is shaped to apply a downward and outward force on the midsole at an edge defined by the top surface of the midsole and the outer perimeter surface of the midsole, to thereby prevent paint from moving onto the top surface of the shoe portion.

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure. The upper includes elongated members extending from a lower peripheral portion that mechanically connect the upper to a sole structure. The sole structure includes several recesses for engaging the elongated members. The upper and/or the elongated members can be printed using a three-dimensional printer.

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure. The upper includes elongated members extending from a lower peripheral portion that mechanically connect the upper to a sole structure. The sole structure includes several recesses for engaging the elongated members. The upper and/or the elongated members can be printed using a three-dimensional printer.

Aspects hereof relate to a holding fixture for holding portions of a shoe during painting. The fixture has a lower jig and an upper jig. The lower jig has an outer wall from which a contacting surface extends. The contacting surface is sized to apply a compressive force to the midsole along a desired paint line, and prevents paint from moving onto the midsole below the contacting surface. The top jig has a lower surface configured to be placed in contact with the top surface of the midsole when the midsole is held in the lower jig and is shaped to apply a downward and outward force on the midsole at an edge defined by the top surface of the midsole and the outer perimeter surface of the midsole, to thereby prevent paint from moving onto the top surface of the shoe portion.

Aspects hereof relate to a holding fixture for holding portions of a shoe during painting. The fixture has a lower jig and an upper jig. The lower jig has an outer wall from which a contacting surface extends. The contacting surface is sized to apply a compressive force to the midsole along a desired paint line, and prevents paint from moving onto the midsole below the contacting surface. The top jig has a lower surface configured to be placed in contact with the top surface of the midsole when the midsole is held in the lower jig and is shaped to apply a downward and outward force on the midsole at an edge defined by the top surface of the midsole and the outer perimeter surface of the midsole, to thereby prevent paint from moving onto the top surface of the shoe portion.

A method for marking references on a flat article includes providing a model having at least a through-opening and exhibiting the same peripheral profile as a flat article to be marked; detecting the peripheral profile of the model and storing that profile in a memory; detecting a profile of the through-opening and the relative positioning with respect to a reference system; detecting a peripheral profile of the flat article; replicating the peripheral profile of the model so as to superpose it on the peripheral profile of the flat article; replicating also the profile of the through-opening of the detected model, taking account of the relative positioning with respect to the reference system and of the positioning of the peripheral profile of the model with respect to the peripheral profile of the flat article. Contactless marking of at least a reference on the flat article is made at the profile of the through-opening which has been replicated.

A graphical element laminate for use in forming a skate boot, including a base layer, a first thermoplastic layer laminated on an outer side of the base layer, a second thermoplastic layer laminated on an outer side of the first thermoplastic layer, and a graphical element printed on at least one portion of at least one of the first thermoplastic layer outer side and the second thermoplastic layer inner side. At least a portion of the second thermoplastic layer is transparent and/or translucent such that when the laminate forms part of the skate boot at least a portion of the graphical element is visible through the second thermoplastic layer from an exterior of the skate boot.

A graphical element laminate for use in forming a skate boot, including a base layer, a first thermoplastic layer laminated on an outer side of the base layer, a second thermoplastic layer laminated on an outer side of the first thermoplastic layer, and a graphical element printed on at least one portion of at least one of the first thermoplastic layer outer side and the second thermoplastic layer inner side. At least a portion of the second thermoplastic layer is transparent and/or translucent such that when the laminate forms part of the skate boot at least a portion of the graphical element is visible through the second thermoplastic layer from an exterior of the skate boot.