This application discloses methods of printing a three-dimensional object on a base using a printing device. One method includes printing a color layer of the three-dimensional object onto a region of the base. The color layer has a color thickness corresponding to a selected color intensity of a color. The method also includes determining a structural thickness for a structural layer of the three-dimensional object by calculating a difference between the color thickness and a target thickness of the three-dimensional object. The target thickness is greater than the color thickness. The method further includes printing the structural layer having the structural thickness directly onto the color layer.

The invention relates to footwear and portions thereof having structural features and decorative designs thereon, and related systems and methods for manufacturing same. An exemplary method for providing a feature on a surface of an object includes positioning a laser proximate the surface of the object, directing a laser beam from the laser to the surface of the object to mark or engrave at least a portion of the surface of the object, and moving at least one of the laser and the object to create a pattern on the surface of the object, the pattern providing at least one of an aesthetic and a structural feature on the surface of the object.

An article of footwear can include a sole structure, an upper, and a printed layer. The upper can be coupled to the sole structure. The printed layer can be disposed on the upper and include a plurality of printed materials each having a different hardness than an adjacent printed material. The plurality of printed materials can be arranged on the upper such that a stiffness of the upper is gradated from a toe portion of the upper to a heel portion of the upper, and a stiffness of the heel portion is greater than a stiffness of the toe portion.

A system for stretching a surface of a shoe for digitally printing onto the surface by an external device, the system comprising an apparatus and a controller in electrical communication, the system having: a main plate to receive and support the shoe; a side arm to traverse longitudinally along an edge of a medial portion of the main plate and to engage with at least a portion of the tongue of the shoe; and a driver causing the longitudinal traversal of the side arm, having: an end bearing and an end connector; a rotary band; an end bracket opposite the end bearing and beneath the main plate; a driving screw between the end bracket and the end bearing, and associated with the side arm; and a motor adapted to receive an electrical signal from the controller selectively causing a rotation of a rotary shaft of the motor.

A system for stretching a surface of a shoe for digitally printing onto the surface by an external device, the system comprising an apparatus and a controller in electrical communication, the system having: a main plate to receive and support the shoe; a side arm to traverse longitudinally along an edge of a medial portion of the main plate and to engage with at least a portion of the tongue of the shoe; and a driver causing the longitudinal traversal of the side arm, having: an end bearing and an end connector; a rotary band; an end bracket opposite the end bearing and beneath the main plate; a driving screw between the end bracket and the end bearing, and associated with the side arm; and a motor adapted to receive an electrical signal from the controller selectively causing a rotation of a rotary shaft of the motor.

An article of apparel can include a layer disposed on the article of apparel, where the layer includes a plurality of materials each having a different hardness than an adjacent material. The plurality of materials is arranged on the article of apparel such that a stiffness of the article of apparel is gradated along a length of the article of apparel from a first portion to a second portion of the article of apparel. A stiffness of the second portion is greater than a stiffness of the first portion and the layer has a continuous and even gradation that extends along the entire length of the article of apparel.

Stitching is applied to a shoe or shoe component and then printed. The stitching may be formed from a continuous thread. After printing, a portion of the continuous thread may have a different color or appearance from other portion(s) of the continuous thread.

Stitching is applied to a shoe or shoe component and then printed. The stitching may be formed from a continuous thread. After printing, a portion of the continuous thread may have a different color or appearance from other portion(s) of the continuous thread.

An article of footwear can include a sole structure, an upper, and a printed layer. The upper can be coupled to the sole structure. The printed layer can be disposed on the upper and include a first printed material and a second printed material. The first printed material can have a plurality of spaced-apart first segments and have a first hardness. The second printed material can have a plurality of spaced-apart second segments and have a second hardness that is less than the first hardness of the first printed material. Each of the second segments can be disposed adjacent to one or more of the first segments.

A decoration for a shoe element and a method of decorating a shoe element includes the steps of cutting a substrate to correspond to the shape of the shoe element and applying decorative elements to the substrate. Openings are cut in a protective cover to align with areas where the decorative elements are applied to the substrate. The protective cover and the substrate are aligned, including aligning the openings in the protective cover with the decorative elements on the substrate. In the process, the substrate is coupled to the protective cover to form a one piece, and the one piece is coupled to the shoe element. The decoration, once installed on the shoe, includes the substrate under the protective cover with raised decorative elements appearing through the openings.