Patterned three-dimensionally molded footwear and methods of making the same

A method of providing a pattern on at least a portion of an upper for an article of footwear, the method comprising:

• disposing an inflatable bladder around a last;
• disposing an upper material over the inflatable bladder, the upper material comprising a low melting point thermoplastic polymer;
• providing a mold insert comprising a mold-cavity-facing surface, an upper-facing surface opposite the mold-cavity-facing surface, a hollow shape defined by lateral and medial sides of the upper-facing surface, an open bottom end, an open top end, and a mold pattern comprising a plurality of surface features formed in the mold insert;
• placing the last, the inflatable bladder, and the upper material within a cavity of a mold such that the mold insert is disposed between the upper material and a surface the mold cavity;
• heating the mold to a predetermined temperature;
• and
• inflating the inflatable bladder such that the upper material is pressed against the mold insert within the heated mold cavity, thereby forming a pattern on an exterior surface of the upper material.