For the first run prototype I had them laser cut and etched using clear acrylic. The retail batch will come in frosted, various florescent colors, and mirror finish acrylic.
If any sneaker freaks would like a free set to demo, just email me. I can’t give them to everyone, so I will be a little selective depending on your enthusiasm for footwear.
i like i like!
where are you located? which country?
would be even cooler if it had more rounded edges and fillets. i wouldn’t want to cut myself on em…
that being said, i wouldn’t mind a pair!
I’m in the US, on the east coast. The edges won’t cut you 
What kind of shoe collection do you have, and what kind of exposure/influence do you have? I’m trying to market these things; so far I haven’t seemed to reach the right audience. :cry
Have you considered putting a slight curve in them? I think they would look more unified with the contour of the shoe.
Looks good though.
I have, but it’s kind of tough to do because the sheet in which they are cut from is flat. I could curve each one by hand on a template, but at a certain point that would become inefficient. 
I might start doing it though for these first few. If I can’t keep up with demand, I might include instructions for the end user on how to heat and form them.
a nice little design.
I too suggest rounding all square corners, oblong the lace hole. Square corners in plastics are stress concentrators. Laser cutting depolymerizes the plastic, over time internal cracks develop. The square corners + laser cutting can be recipe for unsightly cracking and breakage.
Interesting comment.
OK first prototype, but I think you could improve it a lot.
I’m a sneakerhead with 200+ pairs, so I know where you are coming from.
best of luck.
R
PS. I wouldn’t worry too much about being selective giving these away. I think for something so basic, you’d have a hard time finding enough people who actually want it, so any PR is good PR. Just go with it!
The company is called Design Proper, so it’s not a logo. It’s the name of the company. As for size, do you think the lacelock should fit inside the tongue? Right now, it overlaps the tongue on the left and right. Basically, they go from eyehole to eyehole. Should it be less wide (left to right)? As for the design, I would be up for suggestions. I would love to partner with anyone who is interested in working with me. It would be my pleasure to feature any artist who would like to help.
Oh man, this would be a great application of Shrinky-Dinks! One of my all-time favorite crafts from childhood.
You draw onto a thin sheet of plastic, cut to shape, and melt in the oven. It comes out as a hard, thick, clear plastic part.
The company is called Design Proper, so it’s not a logo. It’s the name of the company.
If thats just the name and not the logo, then why does it look to be more a “design” and not just the name? If thats how the company’s name is written that is a logo, or at least part of it.
That font reminds me of the Corner Mall at Downtown Crossing in Boston, a very 80’s look, a little dated.
The company is an ode to the 80’s/90’s so you’re spot on. Dated? Yes, maybe. But I have a special fondness for that era that I want to bring back. It’s a nostalgic look.
“Proper” is a way of being. I have various tag lines like “stay proper,” “rock proper,” etc… I have a logo, and it does not include the name of the company. Ergo, Proper, written in any form, is not our logo. I’m going to be releasing two-word phrase on these lacelocks as they go further into production. For now, the word PROPER appears on them because of the association with the company name and because proper is another word for cool, nice, fresh, ill, dope, and so on. They all have the same connotation thus putting them on a nice pair of kicks.
Yeah I had a Chance to check out your site and have a much better understanding of what the company is all about. It makes a lot more sense now.
Nice. Keep a look out, I have a sales rep in Danvers who is trying to work his way into Boston.
OK so I’ve been experimenting with forming these bad boys…
Tools
Result
These are near perfect and I have the temp/time down. I’m going to buy a long section of aluminum dryer exhaust pipe (pictured below) and cut it in half. I’ll warm up the lacelocks, place them in the trough then lay the other half of the pipe on top. Apply pressure, allow to cool, and we’re ready to rock. They lay so much nicer on the shoe now and don’t look so awkwardly large.
Thanks for the advice rkuchinsky.
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good work dude. I probably don’t qualify as a sneakerhead, and i’m a little far away too…I have some design suggestion for you though.
As stated above, fillet or round the edges on the next batch! The whole square / 80s retro kind of look is valid, but i would be wary of these guys cutting my lace or shoe. I think it has already been said.
You could also take this concept further and do little characters or something more interesting with the etching. If possible, perhaps a thinner sheet of acrylic would be cool too?
just thoughts.
More designs in the etching!!! Yes, I categorically agree! I’m thinking about having some linear patterns etched lightly into the florescent ones. It will refract the light and make it glow. As per the edges…I called my guy and he said he can do a radius on all the edges 
I really appreciate all the advice guys and girls, you’ve been most helpful. I love forums!
My take on the whole thing, beyond what has already been said is that you, like all inventors, love your product too much.
Who wants to buy these?
More importantly, why do they want to buy your little gizmo with a completely unfamiliar logo that has zero brand value? It is a fashion statement…“proper” means something to you but does it mean anything to the people who will put these on your shoes?
I tend to think you’d be more inclined to sell them if you figured out a way to do short runs of custom versions. They could be purchased as marketing promo items for trade shows, whatever. e.g. have the nike swoosh instead of proper.
Oh, btw, you are correct. “proper” is not a logo, it is a wordmark. But then again, Microsoft uses their wordmark as a logo as well, so technically it could be a logo. So it is moot.
First of all I can’t put the swoosh on them. I don’t have a license from Nike to do that.
Second, these satisfy a small niche. They were never intended to be the next Ugg, iPod, or OxyClean. They will be sold in small boutique stores who stock custom and limited edition shoes.
As far as it meaning nothing…it’s all relative. Brand power has to be built, and I have the staying power and will to earn it. Please don’t classify me as an inventor, I didn’t come up with the LaceLock or the idea. Shoe jewelery, as it’s also referred to, has been out for a while.
If you want to split hairs over “Proper” being a logo, I can definitively tell you it is not.
I never said for you to put the swoosh onto them on your own accord. I said sell them as custom branded items. You’re emphasizing my point. You opened up your product to a public forum looking for love. You got a flood of love off the bat. Now you get a little hate and you think I am the bad guy…like I said, you love your product too much. Take my criticism for what it is, criticism. If you’re going to get your tail in a knot every time someone chops at your tree of love your “staying power and will to earn it” will be challenged significantly in no time.
PS: It’s a wordmark.