It is now a common practice to wear a face mask or face cover when in public and many want to show off their team affiliation, company, hobby or just something funny through the decoration on their mask. Companies want to be sure their employees and guests are safe and also want their masks branded. Organized sports will be required to wear a mask of some sort and will most definitely need to be branded and perhaps even personalized. It doesn’t look like this is a short-term fad but a practice that will be around for some time to come. If you’re a decorator I encourage you to invest into the proper equipment, consumables and staff education in order to effectively decorate on personal protective equipment.

Let’s start with the art. It is very important not to place a large logo over the mouth and nose area because it could completely block airflow. The good news is that most corporate brands have a one-color version off their logo that may help you achieve the best look and performance for your customer.

In the example on the left (below), the blue background would hamper breathability and also be uncomfortable for the wearer.

In the example on the right, we can see the background has been removed on the right side. Also, a one-color version allows for breathability and will be much more comfortable for the wearer. If the logo must stay intact move the image off to one side or the other, like on the example in the center. This will ensure breathability stays at a maximum.

We have created decoration spec sheets for each of our face coverings to help you understand how you can decorate them, where it’s best to place logos and more information about each of the products. Take a look and let us know if you have any questions by emailing us at decoratorrelations@sanmar.com.

Port Authority Cotton Knit Face Mask

PAMASK

District V.I.T. Shaped Face Mask

DTMSK01

50/50 Cotton/Poly Face Covering

FACECOVER

Port Authority Cotton Bandana

C960

Port Authority Stretch Performance Gaiter

G100

Many of our customers have reached out and asked about techniques, tips and tricks to decorating masks and covers. Below are some of the standard practices with tips from the experts.

Pad Printing

• Benefits
  • Fast and economical printing
  • 1 to 2 colors
• Tips & Tricks
  • Use an ink specifically for textiles
  • If printing on dark colors, be sure to consult with your supplier in regard to the right equipment and ink to get bright colors

DTG

• Benefits
  • Unlimited colors
  • Easy personalization
• Tips & Tricks
  • Before printing on face masks or covers, consult with your equipment and consumables supplier for best practices and recommendations
  • A pocket pallet or clamping system may be required to do a pleated or shaped mask. For more information, check out: www.livingstonsystems.com/product-category/screen-printing/hat-champ/

Screen Printing

• Benefits
  • Fast and economical printing
  • Usually 1 to 3 colors
• Tips & Tricks
  • Use the lightest pallet glue to minimize residue on mask
  • Special equipment may be required to effectively print masks and covers
  • Use water-based and or phthalate- free inks
  • For more information, check out: www.actionengineering.com/face-mask-pallets

Sublimation

Best results are on a 100% polyester fabric. High polyester content such as a 60/40 can be done with testing. Consult with your equipment manufacturer and/or supplier for best recommendations.

• Benefits
  • Unlimited colors
  • Nearly unlimited placement options
  • Easy personalization
• Tips & Tricks
  • Ink colors must be darker than the fabric to successfully sublimate
  • White and light color fabrics work best
  • A heat press with small alternate platens such as a 4 x 4” is ideal. If you have an older press without this platen, consider using a pad or pillow to lift the press area. This will allow the transfer to make the best contact with the surface.
  • A hat press is a great option for masks with pleats

Heat Transfer

• Benefits
  • Fast and economical printing
  • Unlimited colors
  • Nearly unlimited placement options
  • Easy personalization
• Tips & Tricks
  • Use a transfer that has some stretch
  • If printing on dark polyester colors, be sure to consult with your supplier about bleed blockers
  • A heat press with small alternate platens such as a 4 x 4” is ideal. If you have an older press without this platen, please consider using a pad to lift the press area. This will allow large seams and or pleats to be below the press area.
  • A hat press is a great option for masks with pleats

Embroidery

• Benefits
  • High perceived value
  • Usually 1 to 3 colors
  • Easy personalization
• Tips & Tricks
  • Regular tubular hoops will work but a clamping system is ideal
  • Keep the logos small or with a lot of negative space to keep the piece breathable
  • Use rayon thread for the softest feel
  • After embroidery, reseal the area with a laminate or iron-on backing to cover the rough back of the embroidery and reseal the holes. If you are resealing a large image, a best practice is to keep the logo off to the side to keep breathability at a maximum.
  • Clamps: www.hooptechproducts.com/product/ictcs-1/
  • Laminates: www.madeirausa.com/e-zee-heat-seals-and-laminate/
  • Finishers: www.madeirausa.com/e-zee-finishers/

If you have any questions, please reach our to our Decorator and Digital Services Team at decoratorrelations@sanmar.com.