How to Tie-Dye Shoes with Sharpie Markers

Tie-dyeing your sneakers is a fun way to transform an ordinary pair into a fashion statement. We go through everything needed for this craft project. This post contains affiliate links.

Have you ever tried tie-dye before? It is such a fun and easy craft!

This tie-dye is a little different because we are going to be using Sharpie markers and isopropyl alcohol. It is easy enough for everyone in the family to participate!

title image for How to Tie-Dye Shoes with Sharpie Markers

Craft Tutorial Video:

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More Sharpie Marker Craft Ideas:

The Sharpie marker is a great craft supply and is one we have used in many craft tutorials. Like Personalized Sharpie Plates, Colored Rhinestone Jewelry, and Dyed Tile Coasters.

Supplies You'll Need to Create this Project:

white slip-on shoes, sharpie markers and isopropyl alcohol

Coloring your Shoes:

Coloring the shoes is the first step. This is where you can really get creative when thinking of how you want your shoes to look.

Each of my kids went for a different look when coloring with the permanent markers.

Liza wanted a rainbow design.

a girl coloring shoes with sharpie markers

Allie was going for galaxy shoes and used lots of blues and purples.

show colored in different shapes of blue sharpie makers

Morgan wanted a spectrum design where the color faded into the next.

I wanted a more traditional tie-dye look, so I colored circles with different colors on the shoes.

Applying the Isopropyl Alcohol:

To protect the white rubber soles on the shoes you can tape them off with masking tape before you apply the alcohol. Or you can use pure acetone to try and remove any color that leaks onto them after the shoe is dried.

There are a couple different ways to apply the isopropyl alcohol to the shoes. I chose the squeeze bottle method because I felt like it gave me more control of the bleeding. But you can also you an eye dropper or spray bottle.

Squeeze the alcohol onto the shoe and really saturate the canvas.

Apply a couple layers of alcohol to really get the sharpie markers to swirl together.

Continue to add more alcohol until you get a look you are happy with. You can even let the alcohol dry, and then add more to get your desired look.

Let the Shoes Dry:

A lot of the swirling of the ink happens while the shoes are drying. Let the shoes dry completely before wearing them.

Here is what our tie-dyed shoes looked like the next day after letting them dry overnight.

Liza's Rainbow Tie Dye Shoes.

Allie's Galaxy Tie Dye Shoes.

Morgan's Spectrum Tie Dye Shoes.

And my traditional Tye Dye Shoes.

For whatever reason, the neon green Sharpie marker did not bleed, but the other neon colors did. But I still really like how they turned out. The green circles are kind of cool, don't you think?

What colors or designs will you try with your Sharpie Tie Dye Shoes? Share and leave a comment below!

Our Crafting Essentials List:

The Cricut Cutting Machine is easily our favorite crafting tool. We use it in so many of our tutorials!
These MakerX Crafting Tools are perfect to keep in the craft room, and are always ready when you need them!
This Fiskars Paper Trimmer is easy to use and cuts nicely without frayed edges.
These Scotch Precision Scissors cut like a dream and you get multiple pairs in a pack!