Nike patents screen-printing method for textured shoe uppers
Nike describes a manufacturing process for textile components, such as shoe uppers, that uses screen printing to apply a topcoat layer. The method involves pushing a mixture of polyurethane, water, and other chemicals through a screen to create a specific surface texture on the fabric.
In the filing’s own words
A printing method includes: (A) placing a substrate including at least a base textile layer on a screen printing bed; and (B) screen printing a topcoat layer over a surface of the substrate by moving a mixture including at least a polyurethane material, water, a cross-linker material, and a rheological modifier through a screen to form the topcoat layer over at least a portion of the substrate surface. The substrate further may include at least one of (i) a graphics layer over at least a portion of the base textile layer and/or (ii) a skin layer (e.g., a weatherizing layer) over at least a portion of the base textile layer and/or between at least a portion of the graphics layer (if present) and the base textile layer. The method further may include forming one or more printed elements on the topcoat layer, e.g., using a jetting device and process.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method, comprising: placing a substrate on a screen printing bed, the substrate including a base textile layer; and screen printing a topcoat layer over a surface of the substrate, wherein the screen printing includes moving a mixture including at least a polyurethane material, water, a cross-linker material, and a rheological modifier through a screen to form the topcoat layer over at least a portion of the surface of the substrate.
Facts
- Company
- Nike (NIKE, Inc.)
- Official title
- Textile Components and/or Other Articles Including Printed Structures, Methods of Making These Articles, and Products Including Such Articles
- Publication number
- US20260256242A1
- Application number
- 19555275
- Filed
- Mar 3, 2026
- Published
- Sep 3, 2026
- Inventors
- 4
- Claims
- 24
Classified under
A43B 23/0235 Human necessitiesC09D 11/037 Chemistry & metalsC09D 11/102 Chemistry & metalsC09D 11/322 Chemistry & metalsC09D 11/38 Chemistry & metalsC09D 11/54 Chemistry & metalsMore from Nike in Materials & manufacturing
- Nike patents laser-bonded fabric that resists pilling Oct 13, 2026
- Nike patents method for printing on uneven fabric surfaces Sep 3, 2026
- Nike patents ink that changes thickness to print on fabric Sep 3, 2026
- Nike patents layered printing method for textured textile components Sep 3, 2026
- Nike patents new way to make shoe soles using molds and suction Sep 17, 2026
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.