Looking for a fun way to customize a pair of canvas shoes? Whether you're giving new life to an old pair of sneakers or creating one-of-a-kind shoes for yourself, gifts, or your small business, transfer foils are a fantastic way to add shimmer, color, texture, and personality.
The key to creating beautiful, long-lasting foiled shoes isn't just choosing the perfect foil—it's using the right products and allowing each step to dry properly.
Here's our tried-and-true process that we've perfected in the APS studio.
Supplies You'll Need
- Canvas shoes
- APS Bondago
- ArtsSyVille Foil Adhesive
- Your favorite ArtsSyVille Transfer Foil
- APS Flexible Topcoat
- APS paint brush
- Stiff scrub brush
- Parchment paper (optional)
Step 1: Prepare Your Shoes
Start with clean canvas shoes that are free from dirt, dust, or fabric protectants. The cleaner the surface, the better your finished results will be.
Canvas is naturally porous, so we always recommend sealing the fabric first with Bondago. This creates the ideal surface for the foil adhesive while helping your design stay crisp and vibrant.
Apply Bondago
- Brush on one even coat over the areas you plan to foil.
- Heavier canvas fabrics may benefit from a second coat.
- Allow Bondago to dry for 24 hours before moving to the next step.
Proper preparation is one of the biggest secrets to achieving professional-looking results.
Step 2: Apply ArtsSyVille Foil Adhesive
Once the Bondago has fully cured, apply an even coat of ArtsSyVille Foil Adhesive.
The adhesive will dry from milky white to completely clear.
Allow it to dry for approximately 24 hours.
One of the things our customers love most is that ArtsSyVille Foil Adhesive stays at a perfect "firm tack." That means you don't have to rush—you can foil your shoes whenever you're ready.
Pro Tip: If the adhesive doesn't feel tacky after drying, simply apply another thin coat and allow it to dry again.
Step 3: Transfer Your Foil
Place your transfer foil over the adhesive with the transfer side facing down.
Using your fingers or a stiff scrub brush, scrub the foil thoroughly to ensure complete transfer.
Slowly peel back the carrier sheet to reveal your beautiful design.
If any areas didn't transfer completely, simply lay the carrier sheet back down and burnish again.
Step 4: Protect Your Design
Once your foil has been applied, it's time to seal it.
Apply 1–3 thin coats of APS Flexible Topcoat to help protect the foil while maintaining the flexibility your shoes need for everyday wear.
Allow approximately 30 minutes between coats.
APS Flexible Topcoat was formulated specifically for projects that bend and flex, making it ideal for:
- Canvas shoes
- Sneakers
- Baseball caps
- Purses
- Fabric accessories
It creates a durable finish while helping preserve the beauty of your foil design.
Pro Tips From Our Studio
Patience Pays Off
Allowing each layer to fully dry before moving on will give you the best possible adhesion and durability.
Prep Multiple Pairs
Because ArtsSyVille Foil Adhesive remains at a firm tack, you can prepare several pairs of shoes ahead of time and foil them whenever inspiration strikes.
Protect Your Project
Need to pause your project? Simply place parchment paper over the prepared adhesive until you're ready to continue.
Which Foils Look Best on Shoes?
The fun part is choosing your foil!
Some customer favorites include:
- Animal Prints
- Metallic Foils
- Transparent Florals
- Holographic Designs
- Distressed Metallics
- Seasonal Collections
Whether you're creating elegant everyday sneakers, fun kids' shoes, wedding shoes, or bold statement pieces, there's an ArtsSyVille foil that fits your style.
Endless Ways to Customize Your Shoes
Foiled canvas shoes make wonderful:
- Personalized gifts
- Matching bridal party shoes
- Team or school spirit shoes
- Holiday footwear
- Boutique products
- Craft fair best-sellers
- One-of-a-kind fashion accessories
The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.
Turn Ordinary Shoes into Wearable Art
With just a few APS products and your favorite transfer foils, you can transform ordinary canvas shoes into custom works of art.
By following the proper preparation steps and allowing each layer to cure completely, you'll create beautiful shoes that are both eye-catching and durable.
We can't wait to see what you create!
Be sure to share your finished shoes in our Foil Everything Facebook community or tag us on social media so we can feature your creations and inspire fellow makers.
