Most people consider wearing face masks in public places as just good manners. Asian cultures have embraced public use of face masks for years. Crowded cities, air pollution, and a number of virus scares such as the 2002 SARS outbreak, and the 2006 bird flu panic have made public mask use common as wearing a hat or sunglasses.
Local health departments across the United States now mandate the use of face coverings for many businesses. Customers expect your employees to wear face masks as well.
This article will review some of the things you should know about equipping your employees with custom face masks.
The “Custom” in custom face mask
If your employees need to wear a face mask you might as well capitalize on the branding opportunity for your business. There are two ways you can customize a face mask:
1. Add your company Logo
Your logo can be applied to the mask in 5 different locations.
A center mask logo can be 3.5 inches wide by 2.5 inches tall on most masks. If your mask is pleated like our PAMASK then your logo can only be placed in the center and it should be limited to 3 inches wide.
Another popular location is on the right or left cheek. From there you have the option of upper or lower location. Generally a 2 inch square logo works best, however for lower cheek we recommend a little shorter logo of 1.5 inches.
2. Personalize With Your Name
Face masks use can make it difficult for customers to identify your employees especially in busy retail environments. Adding a name to the face mask solves this issue.
Personalizations generally are applied in one of the cheek locations. since space in these locations is limited it is best to shorten names where possible (Kimberly becomes Kim and Robert can be shortened to Bob).
Wearing Your Face Mask Correctly
- Wash your hands before putting on your face mask
- Place mask over nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
- Try to fit the mask snuggly against the sides of your face
- Make sure you can breathe easily
For more information the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) article on How to Wear Cloth Face Coverings
Take Off Your Face Mask Correctly
- Handle a used face mask only by the strings or ear loops
- DO NOT touch your eyes, nose, and mouth when removing your face mask
- Place the used face mask directly into the washing machine
- Wash your hands following the CDC Procedure for hand washing
Caring For Your Custom Face Mask
- Custom face masks require special care compared to face masks without a custom logo
- Warm water and a mild laundry detergent in the washing machine is the best method to maintain the logo and kill any germs on the mask
- Custom face masks should be AIR DRIED and not be placed in the dryer
- Never use an iron on custom face masks as it may damage the logo
Uncomfortable Mask = Poor Mask Habits
A poor fitting or face mask or one that is too hot for your climate might lead your employees into poor mask habits. To prevent this, it is important to choose a mask suited to the working conditions.
Retail Sales Counter
Standing behind a cashier in an air-conditioned building does not require much physical exertion. This position also comes into close contact with customers. A three-ply mask will provide the most protection in this situation. Our made in the USA Bayside 1900 three-ply face mask is very popular.
Restaurant Wait Staff
Waiting on customers is very physical work and will require a mask that is cool and breathable. In this situation, you would look at 2 ply masks like our best selling VC19 custom face mask.
Outdoor Extreme Heat Jobs
For demanding outdoor jobs such as construction, lawn care, paving, HVAC service, etc most workers prefer not to wear a mask and rely on social distancing. These workers need the ability to quickly pull on a mask when they come into contact with others.
A popular option for these workers is the neck gaiter like the popular NG20. Neck gaiters are quickly positioned to securely cover the mouth and nose in social situations. Additionally, they keep the sun from burning the neck and can be worn wet to provide evaporative cooling in the hot sun.
Corporate Casuals Offers All The Custom Apparel Your Business Needs
Corporate Casuals has been providing custom embroidered and printed apparel for over 35 years (read our story here).
Our online catalog has thousands of products from embroidered polo shirts, to custom embroidered dress shirts and jackets.
Our US-based customer service team is here to help anytime 866-369-5935 or sales@corporatecasuals.com.