Global sportswear company Nike is pushing the boundaries of 3D printed footwear with its latest Air Max 1000, developed in collaboration with 3D printing footwear company Zellerfeld. The new “Multicolor” edition represents a major leap in the brand’s additive manufacturing approach, allowing multiple colors to be printed directly into the shoe, a first for this model.
Dual-Color Innovation on the Air Max 1000
Previous Air Max 1000 iterations were limited to a single printed shade, with the Air Max unit sometimes introducing a contrasting hue. Thanks to Zellerfeld’s new technology, Nike can now program color placement with the same precision as the shoe’s structure itself.
“This week, Nike announced our groundbreaking innovation: printing two colors into one shoe in a single, seamless print. We applied it first on the iconic Air Max 1000,” said Michael Krause, Chief Platform Officer at Zellerfeld. “This dual-color approach, a first in commercial 3D footwear, will allow creators and brands to bring shoes to life in two vibrant colors. What could be more exciting than one vibrant color? Right—two combined. We can’t wait for the dual-color Air Max 1000 to hit the market later this year.”
Prototype images show the Air Max 1000 in two distinct color zones, with purple covering the sole and part of the upper, meeting a black section along a wavy line, and a black Air Max unit in the heel.
From Limited Editions to Multi-Color 3D Printing
Nike first introduced the Air Max 1000 in limited quantities in late 2024, drawing inspiration from the original Air Max 1. Broader releases followed in 2025, alongside the Air Max 95000, a second Zellerfeld collaboration using Project Nectar technology. This technique adds an additional layer of detail to the silhouette, such as green accents on the black launch colorway, showcasing a different approach to two-tone printing.
Nike confirmed that the Air Max 1000 “Multicolor” will launch later this year, and future 3D printed Air Max models will continue to explore these multi-color capabilities.
Zellerfeld Expands 3D Printing
Zellerfeld’s technology is also making waves beyond Nike. In July, Hugo, a sub-label of Hugo Boss, released the HUGO FORWARD x Zellerfeld loafer, produced as a single unit using the company’s proprietary software and hardware. The shoe eliminates traditional sizing, assembly, and inventory requirements, resulting in a custom-fitted design made within hours and built with circularity in mind.
Designer Sean Wotherspoon collaborated with Zellerfeld on the Sean Double U collection, producing a sneaker and a mule as single pieces without adhesives or stitching, highlighting the environmental advantages of additive manufacturing.
Earlier in the year, UK luxury brand Mallet London unveiled the Nebula, its first 3D printed shoe created with Zellerfeld’s automated process. By reimagining Mallet’s Neptune silhouette, the company achieved greater design flexibility, faster turnaround, and improved material efficiency.
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Featured image shows Air Max 1000. Image via Zellerfeld.
