Cutting outer profiles, heel areas and left-right sets from flat bottom stock
Shoe sole cutting dies
A shoe sole cutting die cuts outsoles, midsoles, heel pieces and perimeter components from flat leather board, resin-rubber sheet, EVA or another bottom stock whose suitability has been confirmed from a sample. It does not form a finished three-dimensional sole. Businesses seeking a metal injection mould for a moulded sole need a different process.
Which bottom components can receive a cutting die?
The bottom system may contain more than one component. Depending on the construction, the outsole, midsole, heel reinforcement, welt strip and filler pieces are cut separately. Every part is assessed against its own material sample and finished dimensions.
- Outsole and leather-board sole components
- Midsole and flat EVA layers
- Heel and supporting pieces
- Welt and perimeter strips
- Flat bottom fillers and reinforcements
How does flat bottom stock differ from an injection sole?
Sheet materials such as leather board and resin-rubber sheet can be cut as flat profiles with a press knife. Ready soles made from PU, TPR, PVC, TPU or moulded rubber are commonly produced in a three-dimensional mould. This page covers only steel cutting dies for flat stock.
- A flat sheet or slab is required
- Suitability is checked from the actual sample
- No three-dimensional sole surface is formed
- No tread or moulded sidewall is created
- Injection moulds are out of scope
How are size, left-right and material direction controlled?
The medial and lateral edges of an outsole differ, so right and left profiles are not assumed to be automatic mirrors. An approved profile is required for every size. Surface, pattern or grain direction belongs on the technical drawing when relevant.
- Medial-lateral edge and left-right identification
- Approved sole profile for every size
- Heel centre and toe direction
- Sheet face, pattern and material direction
- Tool number and component name
What should be sent for a sole-die quote?
Shoe size alone does not define sole geometry. Send a 1:1 drawing or physical flat sole component together with the actual sheet stock, thickness, size range and cutting-press information.
- 1:1 PDF, AI or DXF sole drawing
- Finished flat component or existing knife
- Actual leather-board, EVA or other stock sample
- Size range and left-right set quantity
- Cutting press and production quantity
Send the contour with the material section
The plan view of a sole piece shows the outside cutting edge and any openings. A section of the same piece identifies sheet thickness and the top and bottom faces. Together, these views describe the flat sole shape and its material structure.
Separate right and left sole pieces by model code, size and top face. Name the direction arrow and notch by their references in your actual production drawing.
Frequently asked questions
1Do you make moulds for ready-made shoe soles?
We do not manufacture three-dimensional injection sole moulds. We make steel cutting dies for sole components cut from flat sheet or slab stock.
2Can you make a leather outsole cutting die?
Yes. The leather-board sample, part profile, thickness and approved size set are reviewed for the cutting die.
3Can EVA and rubber sheet use the same knife?
Thickness, hardness and cutting behaviour may differ, so actual material samples are assessed separately even when the profile matches.
4Is shoe size alone enough?
No. Different lasts and styles use different geometry at the same size; an approved 1:1 drawing or physical component is required.
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