How To Create A T-Shirt Design

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design by Coco Nella

Designing a t-shirt can be a daunting task, some will hire a designer and some will take the DIY route. Regardless of how you decide to do it, it’s important that your design translates well on a t-shirt and for this reason, we came up with a checklist for you to follow and make sure you’re on the right track.

Design Checklist

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1. What’s your goal?

Before starting your design, it’s important to understand what you are trying to accomplish with your t-shirt. What is your primary goal? Are you trying to raise money for a cause? Are you trying to gain recognition as a new clothing brand? or are you simply trying to sell as many t-shirts as possible? Maybe you’re simply creating a shirt for your team at work or for your family reunion. Establishing a goal will help you narrow down your design and pricing choices.

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2. Brainstorm

Brainstorming will help you determine the colors, the fonts, words, and imagery for your t-shirt design. It’s crucial to have a list of guidelines around your design to have a starting point when you begin your creative process. It will also help you make sure you include everything you need, especially if you are designing apparel for a specific event or cause.

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3. Gather inspiration

This is the fun part! start googling images or looking through Instagram or Pinterest for inspirational images that best fit the aesthetic and vibe you are going for. There are also tons of books containing great and famous designs from now and past decades that may be helpful to you if you’re trying to create something that is unique to this time period.

Here are some important details to consider once you have settled on a design:

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  • Size

    The size of your graphic should be based on the design, and the properties of the garment to be printed. Depending on the shape of the design, it can look much bigger than what it should. For example, square or circular shapes tend to look better when they are sized smaller than standard.

    Some may print the design on a sheet of paper and hold it up to the t-shirt to ensure the sizing is right. Others may use an online t-shirt mock-up generator.

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  • Font

    Some fonts look better than others and if this is an integral part of your design, you will need to make sure it translates well on a t-shirt or sweatshirt. If you are struggling with finding the right way to properly visually represent your brand, typography is a great way to start, Typography can become a voice of design.

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  • Placement

    With methods such as screen printing, there are a few options for placement. The most common areas are the center of the chest, left chest, full front, oversize front, upper back, center back, and full back. The placement, most of the time, will be determined by the design, the shape, or the purpose. If it’s important for the image or design to be visible, a center chest placement may be ideal. Other less common placements are the sleeves, sides, or back of the neck, which are increasingly becoming more popular among streetwear clothing brands.

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Common Mistakes To Avoid

While you may have a great design ready to print, there are common mistakes people make when they are ordering t-shirts to be printed. Here an outline of some of those mistakes to avoid:

  • Sizing

    This is the most common and avoidable mistake people make when submitting a design to a print shop. The size of the artwork is important and vital as well as figuring out the cut of the t-shirt that the artwork will be printed on.


  • Placement

    This may seem straight forward, however, one common placement mistake is printing the design at belly level which is not flattering. Generally, when the artwork is submitted, the printer will advise on placement and adjust your file to the best fit. Alternative placements such as sleeves or sides are possible and your printer should be able to help you with such requests to ensure the design will translate properly.


  • Typography

    There are millions of font types, some better than others and not all will work for a t-shirt design. typography is the art of typesetting or arranging type in a way that makes sense, along with choosing typefaces (fonts) making sure that the spacing is correct, and the way it interacts with the graphic elements is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Your font choice can say a lot about the way your design is received, and convey certain ideas or evoke emotions that may not be intentional. A good rule of thumb to ensuring your design looks good is to never use more than 3 different fonts in one design. Check this site to get a crash course in typography!


  • Composition

    Composition in terms of design is everything. Every design has elements that are arranged in relation to each other, and this relation is what makes up the overall composition. Some will say that composition is in the eye of the beholder, but there are certain rules to follow when creating a design. A typical mistake would be the spacing or the entire design could be off-balance, drawing the eye to the wrong thing. Here are a few resources to help you with composition.


  • Image quality

    Nobody wants a blurry design on their t-shirt and this is one big mistake people often make when they submit a file to the printer. To ensure your design or image is big enough and is high-quality, check the resolution (pixels). Ideally, images should be 200dpi or higher to guarantee a clear and detailed print.


  • Contrast

    Low contrast can lead to very hard to see designs against specific color t-shirts. If the contrast is off, your design won’t shine. So, what is contrast? It’s the degree of visual difference between the darker and lighter parts of an image, or the way shades of colors correspond to each other. The strongest contrast is between colors is black-on-white or vice versa. And of course, bright colors on a dark background are going to also be high contrast.


  • Details

    Fine details, small text, or very thin fonts can be difficult to discern on printed t-shirts. What might look good in black and white on paper or even on your high-quality phone screen can be hard or almost impossible to read on a t-shirt. Your design should have thick lines with also bold font or font that is big enough to translate well on a shirt.


  • Borders

    This mistake often happens when the design is a photograph. Designs that have a border can often look boring or cheap, that’s why it’s advised to take out any blank border from an image or design. Removing the border can make a huge difference and make the t-shirt more appealing to your customers. You may remove the background using photoshop, or if you don’t have photoshop, our team at Family Industries can help you.

    Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator

Family Industries has experts standing by ready to help you with any of these roadblocks. We offer graphic design help and we also consult on print options. Click Here to Contact Us!

Best Summer Promo Merch & Giveaways [2022]

With festival season kicking off, the summer is right around the corner. Summer is the busiest time for most brands and businesses as the sunshine brings people out and it’s the best time for branded merch and merch giveaways. Your merch should coincide with the season, so we will take you through the most popular merch items for summer.

Best Summer Swag Ideas

Summer swag should be fun, colorful, and useful for that specific event or festival. Creating a design that is specific to the event is the best way to get your started on the merch printing process.

Check Out What is Brand Merchandising

Bucket Hats

The 90’s are officially back! The bucket hat is an iconic apparel accessory that has made it’s way back into popular fashion. Hats are a great canvas for custom designs that can be either embroidered or printed on, or you can even use a stamp and patches.

Tote Bags

Bags are the basic merch to have at events, especially if it’s an event with a lot of different vendors. One way to step up your game and compete with other booths, offer a customized option with an on-site screen printing option with various designs or a DTG station with a way for the event goer to pick and choose the graphics for the bag.

Check Out 5 Reasons Why Custom Tote Bags Are Awesome Promotional Products

Can Coolers

A can cooler is the modern day koozie and they are especially a good merch item because they make a great canvas for your branding!

This item is a step up from the traditional koozie and will last for summer after summer, being used at sporting events or lazing by a swimming pool, so it’s perfectly versatile too.

Depending on the event, it may be the best merch item if there will be alcoholic drinks such as beer, and seltzers. There are a few different size can coolers, make sure you get the best size for the event.

Towels & Blankets

Towels and blankets are another example of great useful merch that is best for festivals or pool parties. Blankets and towels make a great surface for branding and allow for a more creative design to be executed as oppose to smaller items. Additionally, it can be very useful at the right event - Always be strategic about the type of merch you produce according to the event.

How To Make Fun

Promo Merch

Don’t be afraid to change things up and get more creative with your setup and your merch. Live event customizations can be a great way to involve event goers in the printing process and allow for a more interesting experience.

Check Out Custom Merchandise – The Perfect Branding Opportunity

Live T-Shirt Printing

Live screen printing is a great example of a fun way to present your merch, especially if it includes apparel. Merch agencies such as Family Industries can make this process stress-free by providing the equipment, materials, and staff to execute the best prints.

Live Embroidery

On-Site event embroidery is typically done with accessories such as hats, bags, and bandanas. Integrating a customization option can set you apart as a vendor in a busy festival where it’s highly likely that other booths will have similar accessory options.

Embroidery can also be extra specially because you’re able to embroidery names and initials, which can be great for people looking to purchase something as a gift or souvenir.

Decorations & Prize Wheels

Make your booth interesting by dressing it up to attract eyes, especially at a crowded festival. In addition, using games such as a prize wheel can also bring more interest in what you are offering.

Take into consideration the theme of the event or other characteristics of the demographic attending the event.

Customizing Tips

  1. You don’t want to pick out great swag and then blow it with your branding customization. No matter how great the swag, large logos might get it relegated to the back of the closet or, worse, the trash. A less obvious logo may result in the items getting more use and therefore providing more advertising for your brand as a result.
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  2. Make sure your logo or slogan art is crisp and professional. Poor quality in this department will cheapen the look of your summer promotional products no matter how expensive and well-made they are.

  3. Make sure you choose a customizing company who does quality work or you could end up with expensive swag that looks depressingly cheap. Check out our blog with design tips for making stylish swag.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook

For FAQ, check out our site!

For any inquiries, send us a message!

OR

send us an e-mail at quotes@familyindustriesla.com

What Merch Sell Best?

So you’re establishing your brand or you have a brand established and you’re looking to offer something to increase your bottom line and invest into marketing your business; merch is a great way to do both of these things.

As a merch agency, we see new and established brands looking for advise on what exactly is the best merch to sell, what will give me the most return? These questions will vary depending on your business model, are you a service provider? are you a lifestyle or product centered brand? In this article, we will take you through a list of merch that will sell the best according to your brand.

Research

When making business decisions, it’s best practice to always do your research! Surveying your audience is a great way to get real data in real time and allows for you to get to know your core audience. You may also research competitors in your field to see what kind of merch they provide and try to come up with a competitive item that you think they may be missing or something made of better material.

If you’re already running ad campaigns, they will generate a general view of who your customer is and make it easy to pin-point your exact target demographic.

Check Out 23 Ways to do Audience Research (and Better Understand Your Customers)

Practicality

Practicality is a major factor, with some of the best-selling merch products for promotional events because they meet a practical need, such as bags or drinkware. People use promotional products every day in their lives, and if they meet a practical need then they will likely be more inclined to make a purchase or use.

The other side of usefulness is visibility through incorporating your brand logo. The most popular promotional items are those that have enough space for the recipient to see your brand on the product. With these factors in mind, let's look at some of the most popular types of promotional products, which includes both useful and logoed items:

BAGS

Bags are one of the most practical, everyday items your customers will use on a regular basis. They can be used for grocery shopping, gym clothes, travel, or as a giveaway with another product purchase. Bags only have to be purchased once by your customer, and they last for years. And if you choose to give away bags as a promotion, it’s a great opportunity to get your logo in front of more eyes every time that bag is reused by your customer.

Choose the right bag size - Most businesses choose between a small bag that fits just a few items (like groceries) or a larger type of bag (like one used for travel). It's important to remember to make sure you have enough room to include your logo and message on the bag as well as any other text required by law (see below). For instance, if you sell souvenirs at your gift shop business then you may want to offer two options: one regular sized bag for smaller items like t-shirts and stickers as well as another larger option for large bulky items such as mugs or pillows."

Check Out The 5 Best Promotional Bags For Your Brand

Mugs & Drinkware

Mugs and drinkware are among the most popular promotional products. These high-use items will be seen on a regular basis, which gives your brand more exposure. But mugs aren’t just great for promoting a brand—they’re also affordable, easy to distribute and can be customized in countless ways to fit your company needs.

Mugs come in many different styles and sizes to fit any lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for a small cup to hold espresso or a large mug for that extra large morning cup of coffee—or even something in between—there are plenty of options to choose from. There are also different types of materials available such as ceramic, porcelain, glass, metal and plastic.

If you want to stand out even more, consider adding some color with vibrant ink that clearly displays your logo on the side of the mug or on the handle where it can be seen every time someone takes a sip! In terms of designs there really is no limit: you could go with one solid color like black or white; use multiple colors (think rainbow) in stripes along both sides; have an image printed directly onto the front/back instead of just words.

Sports Bottles & Water Bottles

Water bottles are reusable, which makes them not only a great promotional product for your brand, but also a great gift for the environment. They’re handy for all kinds of things:

  • Carry water outdoors during exercise

  • Take drinks on the go

  • Stay hydrated at work or school

  • Promote your brand on a daily basis

Check Out Custom Water Bottles: 3 Reasons They’re Ideal for Marketing

Essential Merch

The essential merch items are the items that you can produce with a smaller budget but are applicable to most brands. Regardless of what your business is about, you can not go wrong with these items:

T-Shirts

T-shirts are what people think of when they picture merch. They're simple and familiar, and therefore one of the most popular types of merch available. T-shirts can be a great way to get your brand out there.

Unfortunately, t-shirt quality can vary drastically from brand to brand, with some t-shirts being poorly made and shrinking or fading in the wash. That is why it's important to find a reputable t-shirt vendor to work with. You don't want someone representing your band by wearing a t-shirt that looks like it came from the bottom of their dresser drawer after years of neglect!__

If you decide that t-shirts are right for you, keep in mind that they can be more than just something you throw on before you go outside. Graphic design skills aren't necessary – plenty of websites offer premade designs—but if you have them, put them to good use! By offering several different styles, colors and designs instead of just one or two options, you create more opportunities for fans who may not visually identify with one particular design but still want to rock your logo on their chest!

Hats

Another challenge is choosing the right style - bucket hat, snapback, visor, etc. All very important questions. The best thing you can do once you've decided to go with hats as a core piece of your merch line is to get feedback from your fans. Try out some different styles, see what people respond to and go from there!



Apparel Accessories

Not all apparel accessories are created equal: Some brands call them "clothing," which is what I'm going to do here as well. But other brands have their own names for them—and these include things like hats and T-shirts, fingerless gloves and ponchos. So first let's break this down into two types of apparel accessories: the ones made of real fabric (for example, gloves) versus those made out of fake fabric (for examples ponchos).

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator

Looking for The Best Promotional Merch printer?

send us an e-mail at quotes@familyindustriesla.com, or give us a call at 323.227.1547 and we'd be happy to help.

Our showroom at 2755 Fruitdale Street, Los Angeles, CA 90039 is open by appointment only from 10 am - 4 pm Monday through Friday.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook

For FAQ, check out our site!

For any inquiries, send us a message!

OR

send us an e-mail at quotes@familyindustriesla.com

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Screen Printing vs. Digital Printing

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The art of screen printing has been around since the late 900s, and as with any industry that gains popularity over time, innovation is no stranger to the world of printing. With so many print styles to choose from, it isn’t always easy to match the right style with the right project. No one understands how difficult this decision can be more than us at Family Industries. With over a decade of experience, we’ve seen it all.

The two most popular forms of apparel and art printing are Screen Printing and Digital Printing. For some, the differences in the finished product can often be indistinguishable. However, the contrast between these two styles extend far beyond the print itself. That’s why we thought we’d take a stab at helping you figure out which print style works best for your next order.

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Screen Printing

What is Screen Printing?

The screen printing process involves a silkscreen with your image. The inks are applied by color and by layer unto the printing surface one at a time. Screen printing is very versatile, and the technique can be used to print on many different types of material such as textiles, plastic, and latex. Check how does screen printing work?.

Screen printing is the most widely known and used method, as it has been around for a very long time. Technology has made some advancements in this method to speed up the process but its main functions have not changed, it is still ink being pushed through a stenciled screen.

Screen Printing Pros

  • Color vibrancy - Screen printing uses Plastisol inks and water-based inks, which are the most vibrant colors available, while digital printing is limited by the CMYK color gamut. It is also easier for screen printers to match the exact color, especially when using the Pantone Matching System.

  • Durability - Digital prints can deteriorate as you wash your clothes, especially if you are washing with hot water. While screen printing does not have this problem, if done correctly, your print will retain its color and vibrancy for a long time.

  • Versatility - With screen printing, you have the ability to print on many different textiles, garment styles, print locations, and placements. While digital printing is limited to the type of textiles and placement.

  • Special effects - From raised print to texture, shine, sparkles, or glows, there’s a special ink or additive that can do it and it can only be done with screen printing. Digital printing now has some specialty inks but they are not widely available or as easy to accomplish.

    Check out the different types of special effects possible with screen printing:

    • Water-based
      Absorbs into the fabric for a very lightweight and soft print.

    • Discharge
      Chemically removes the dye from the pigment of the fabric.

    • Puff
      This additive expands while being cured, for a soft, raised feel.

    • Fluorescent
      Very bright neon colors, also known as “day glow”.

    • Metallic
      Popular ink for a shiny look. Typically in gold, silver, or copper.

    • Glitter
      Contains glitter for a sparkly look, often combined with a clear gel.

    • Glow-in-the-dark
      Almost clear, light-activated ink that glows in the dark.

    • Suede
      Similar to puff, but creates a soft and fuzzy texture to the surface.

    • High-density
      Creates raised layers of rubber-like ink for a 3-dimensional print.

    • Soft Hand
      Additive for reducing the thickness of ink for a softer feel.

    • Clear Gel
      A thick glossy coating that can be used in combination with others.

    • Shimmer
      Creates a unique reflective, iridescent shine.

    • Crackle
      Splits and cracks during curing for a naturally distressed look.

    • Plasticharge
      Combines the best of Plastisol and discharge.

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Digital Printing

What is Digital Printing?

This process is much newer and involves specialized inkjet printers developed to print textile inks. The image on the screen is converted into a format that can then be printed unto the surface required. Digital printing is typically used when the print requires more details and this method is very versatile as it can be used on any type of surface. Check out how Digital Printing works.

In the Print Industry, “digital printing” is more of a term than an actual method of printing. In the world of Screen Printing, “digital printing” is typically referred to as “Direct to Garment”. While Screen Printing has been around for centuries, Direct to Garment printing has only been around for about 15 years. As society has grown more impatient over time, people are always looking for instant gratification. The majority of online on-demand printing companies use this as a primary method because of the speed and accuracy with minimal set-up.

Digital Printing Pros

  • Details - Designs with a lot of detail or photographs usually require a more precise and clear print. These types of designs are better candidates for digital printing.

  • Color Blending - Photographs or intricate designs will require color blends that may be more difficult to achieve with screen printing, for this reason, digital prints would be a better option.

  • Consistency - Your print is most likely to be consistent all throughout when printed digitally as the file is set-up by a computer and the consistency of the ink is distributed at the same rate for each piece.

  • Quantity - Digital prints require less of a set-up, therefore, allowing for a much-limited amount of prints to be done, while most printing services have a minimum quantity for screen printing.

So, Which Print Method is The Best?

The best method depends on what you intend on printing and the surface. The look is different as the digital printing allows for a more precise, crisp, and detailed print while screen printing provides a more authentic, softer, and retro look. Because both methods are good and serve different purposes, here are a few things to consider before making your decision.

  1. Quantity: Digital printing allows for a smaller quantity to be printed while screen printing will usually require a minimum.

  2. Apparel: Screen printing has more versatility when choosing your fabric. For digital printing, it is advised to print on 100% cotton or other select cotton blends and only certain colors.

  3. Design: Photographs or hyper-detailed images with a lot of colors are usually better printed digitally. However, if you have a large number of shirts you would like to print, screen printing may still be an option but it may cost you a little bit more or may require some adapting to make the design work best.

For some people it may come down to cost, so we will take you through what will dictate your cost based on several factors for both methods.

  1. Apparel: The type of apparel can range from value to premium options and depends on the style and brand.

  2. Print Locations: There is the option for 1 or 2 locations, which would be the front and/or the back (for a t-shirt or sweatshirt).

  3. Fabric Color: For screen printing on darker color fabrics, a white layer before your print is necessary and may cost a little bit more.

  4. Number of Colors: The more colors your print requires the higher the cost is for screen printing, however, if you have a large quantity, this cost may be a lot lower as you can have access to deeper discounts.

  5. Quantity: With screen printing, the number of pieces will dictate the majority of your cost. This is the most important factor that will most likely dictate the right method for you.


Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator

Need more information? Hit us up! and we will be glad to walk you through the process.

Are you ready to make a choice and place an order? Click Here!

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Halloween Costume Ideas for 2023

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This year Halloween has the potential to be great, as the day falls on a Saturday, which means you can have a late night with the kids or with friends watching scary movies and eating way too much candy until you pass out from a sugar crash. While a lot of things are different this year, we can all still dress up and make it fun. We’ll take you through some simple and on-a-budget costume ideas to stay in the spirit even if there is no Halloween parade this year.

Costume Ideas

If you’re anything like us, every year you get caught off guard once this time of year arrives and you end up panicking trying to find a last-minute costume for a zoom Halloween party. Here are some ideas that you may find helpful in the search for that great costume that took little money, effort, and time to put together.

Custom T-Shirts make great DIY Halloween costumes

While not the most original idea, it’s the perfect last-minute choice and the cost is much less than a traditional costume. So, you will be saving money and time! a t-shirt costume is a simple and practical idea for a costume that, if dressed correctly, can be a big hit at the annual Halloween party. For 2020, especially, you will most likely spend the night at home but this doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun and dress up!

A few things to consider when coming up with a costume t-shirt:

  1. Humor - Always be funny! Do you like to make people laugh? find a way to still be funny with a simple t-shirt costume by

  2. Cleverness - A play on words is always a hit! a clever way of using a word or phrase will almost always get a chuckle from people.

  3. Originality - Make sure you’re the only one at the party with your costume, try to be creative and reference pop culture or current events.

  4. Relativity - There is nothing worse than having to explain the joke. Make sure your costume is something people will understand and relate to.

Here we will show you a few fun ideas that have all the elements needed for an awesome last-minute Halloween costume for your “chill-at-home Halloween party”.

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Nerd Tee

The classic nerd costume. We all have a pair of old thick framed glasses. Buy this shirt and put on the glasses and you’re good to go!

BUY
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Clever Tee

Wittiness will always get you brownie points. Everyone likes a clever t-shirt!

BUY
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Tuxedo Tee

This shirt tuxedo costume allows for some versatility. You could be a magician or a fancy man at a fancy dinner party. Grab a top hat and some dashing white gloves and you'll be ready.

BUY
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Hillbilly Tee

Barbed wire tattoos, flask in the pocket, corncob pipe, and a bandana. All you need is a mullet and a trucker hat and you’re good to go.

BUY
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Pregnant Costume Tee

Have a bun in the oven? Most costume won’t fit? No problem! This t-shirt will scare all the little trick-or-treaters.

BUY
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Star Trek Tee

Now this is an effortless cool costume! Throw this shirt on, slick back your hair and put on some black pants and you’re in with the trekkies at the Zoom party.

BUY


Costume Masks

As we continue to battle Covid-19, it is important to follow the CDC guidelines for this holiday. Wearing a mask will have to be part of your costume if you are taking your kids trick-or-treating, or if you’re an adult that still enjoys childhood traditions. Whatever the scenario, we decided to list some of our favorite Covid-19 friendly face masks for Halloween.

Fun Halloween Face Masks for 2020

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Ron Swanson

Everyone loves the show Parks and Recreation, and Ron Swanson is an iconic character. Just put on a suit, slick back your hair and put on this mask!

Buy
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Kevin - Home Alone

You can’t think of a more iconic movie from the 90’s. This scene from home alone printed on a mask is genius!

Buy
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Zombie

The classic Halloween costume! get this mask and skip all the special effects makeup.

Buy
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Hocus Pocus Witches

The best Disney Halloween movie ever made! The Sanderson sisters are the most iconic witches, and these face masks prove that!

Buy
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LED light-up Face Mask

If you’re going for a more futuristic look, this face mask is it! Some of the features are great and you can use it for multiple occasions.

Buy
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Plague Doctor Mask

We couldn’t think of a better occasion to wear this than for Halloween during a pandemic. This steam punk mask is great for a simple costume idea.

Buy


Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator

p 323-522-3829