Fall 2006

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Selling and dyeing fabric shoes can be an additional source of revenue for shoe repair shops according to Tammy Piderit of Colorful Creations. P addressed shoe repairers at SSIA's 102nd Annual Convention and offered tips to make dyeable shoe sales work.

Why Dye Shoes?

• It's a service you can offer with little overhead so you don't have to send your customers to competitors.

• You can custom dye shoes. If your customers buy from bridal shops, they'll be ordering color out of a book.

• Some shoe manufacturers help you mix custom colors. Just ask for the manufacturer of the dress to be matched. The company should have swatch books to match.

• You have the advantage of being a one-stop shop (shoes and dyeing). If you don't dye the shoes, your customers will buy them somewhere else.

• Fabric shoes are not one-time wear anymore. You can dye them black after the event for daily wear. The new, true black dye is permanent and won't run in water.

• Waterproofing is an easy add-on sale. But don't do it if they want to redye the shoes after the event.

Ordering Shoes

• Use the shoe manufacturer as your warehouse. Most offer fast shipping, so there's no need for excess inventory collecting dust on your shelves.

• Have a few samples of best sellers and keep catalogs. If you're not sure, call the manufacturer and ask what's popular.

• You don't need the space or funds for inventory. Brides order dresses in advance. They don't mind ordering shoes and waiting.

Ordering Supplies

• You should be able to order dye kits from the manufacturer containing the popular colors.

• When you receive your dyes, leave the safety seals in tact. Poke a hold in them and replace the caps. The seals act as gaskets and make for neater work.

• Make a swatch board. Take each color and dye a satin and crepe swatch. There will be color variations in the materials.

Dyeing Tips

• Persuade your customers to choose fabrics that closely match their gowns. It makes it easier to match color.

• There will be color changes under indoor and outdoor lighting. There's nothing you can do about that. Make sure to match your color in the same light as the shoes will be viewed. Ninety percent of weddings take place under cool white fluorescent lighting.

• Your dye area should have cool white fluorescent lighting, a fan and low humidity. Don't dye on humid days unless you're climate controlled. Everything affects color, including temperature and humidity.

• Hang your swatches to dry so they dry evenly. Keep a fan going.

• Whatever you do to the swatch, do to the shoe. If you're going to use something to matte the sheen on the shoe, use it on the swatch or the color won't match.

• If you clean the shoes, clean the swatch. And everything you do to one shoe, do to both shoes.

• If you find glue spots after dying shoes, take a thumb tack and lightly poke holes in the glue. Reapply the dye so it can soak into the fabric underneath. Black light will show glue spots before dying.

• Make sure your bottles and dye room are clean. Dye gets airborne. Rinse and clean your bottles weekly.

• To get rid of pink spots, rub them with the back edge of the dauber. Then, reapply the color. Use long strokes to blend into the shoe.

• Bleach your dye counter once a week.

• Never put color on the shoe until it is right on the fabric.

• Bleaching shoes is not recommended. If you're going to do it, apply the bleach everywhere. Go over the shoe with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to neutralize the bleach and get rid of the smell. Go over the whole shoe. Otherwise, you'll have spots

• Always wear safety glasses.

Marketing Dyeable Shoes

Randy Lipson of Cobblestone Shoe Repair in St. Louis offers the following tips for marketing fabric shoes and fabric dyeing.

• Start with the bridal stores in your area. Let them know you sell dyeable shoes and offer custom dyeing. Though many bridal shops sell shoes, it's a nuisance for them because they don't understand proper shoe fit, the difference between fabrics and how lighting impacts color.

• Knowing how to fit shoes is a big advantage for us. If you don't already have one, buy a Brannock Device for fitting.

• Bridal shows are the best thing we do to market this service. We bring a display of 60 styles from four manufacturers for customers to see and try on. The manufacturers provide brochures, catalogs and sales materials that we can personalize with our contact information. Search bridal publications or the Internet to find shows near you.

• We run ads in bridal publications and in the wedding section of the Yellow Pages.

• We exchange links with bridal web sites such as bridesclub.com. Oftentimes, this is free with a reciprocal link on your site.

• Everything our customers need to know about our shoes is on our web site. They can find prices and links to the manufacturers' sites to see the shoes. This supports everything else we do.

• We always charge for dyeing shoes. It is not included in the price of the shoes. Customers get a discounted price on dye work if they purchase the shoes from us. There are also discounts for multiple pairs dyed the same color.