Custom sneaker designer Dylan DeJesus shares 7 common mistakes to avoid when starting a custom sneaker business:
1. Not paying attention to the surface material, which requires different additives and techniques.
2. Using the wrong materials or supplies, such as cheap acrylic paints or markers that can lead to paint cracking.
3. Not being original and only replicating other brands' work, which can limit creativity and make it hard to stand out.
4. Not painting colors correctly, which can lead to uneven color and a "winding road" of trial and error.
5. Rushing to finish a project, which can lead to mistakes and a lower quality finish.
6. Taking on too much work, which can lead to burnout and unhappy customers.
7. Not taking time to create for oneself, which can stifle creativity and make it hard to find one's own voice and style.
By avoiding these mistakes, beginner customizers can set themselves up for success and build a strong foundation for their business.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The video is about common mistakes beginners make when customizing shoes.
2. The speaker, Dylan DeJesus, has experience customizing shoes and shares his own mistakes.
3. Different materials require different additives when painting.
4. Soft materials like suede, nubuck, and mesh require a fabric medium additive.
5. Rigid, porous surfaces like back tabs on Jordan 3 or 4 shoes require a film hardener additive.
6. Some materials, like outsoles, should not be painted.
7. Cheap acrylic paints from stores like Michaels are not flexible and can lead to paint cracking.
8. Markers like Posca pens or Sharpies are not suitable for customizing shoes.
9. Brushes, specifically the Princeton Select series, are recommended for customizing shoes.
10. Not being original and only replicating other brands' work can limit one's creativity and appeal.
11. People may purchase custom shoes due to association with a brand rather than the customizer's creativity.
12. Not painting colors correctly can lead to uneven color and a lack of flexibility.
13. A paint build-up technique, using white or mist in base layers, can help achieve solid colors.
14. Rushing to finish a project can lead to mistakes and a lower-quality finish.
15. Taking on too much work can lead to unrealistic expectations and lower customer satisfaction.
16. Creating time for oneself to test out different art forms can help find one's own voice and style.
17. Customer satisfaction is crucial in any business.
18. The speaker recommends signing up for a weekly newsletter and joining the Toothpick Gang Discord for more information on customizing shoes.