Mask Making Guide
Materials
Fabrics
Recommended Fabrics
100% Cotton Woven (bedsheets, towelling, quilter’s cotton/fat quarters, broadcloth, flannel)
100% Cotton Jersey (T-shirt fabric)
Alternative Materials
With the current ‘mask craze’ many well-intentioned groups are intent upon identifying better DIY alternatives to cotton masks for the general population. As interest continues to grow and expand, we do our best to stay abreast of what materials are trending and conduct our own research into their safety and suitability. If a manufacturer cannot stand by the efficacy of their own textiles in terms of filtration, chemical/heat resistance, and durability, then neither can we. There is nothing wrong with cotton masks, they will always be better than nothing.
To that end we have a short list of alternative materials that have either passed our sniff-test or lead us to advise caution to those makers who want to explore other possibilities.
Filters
Filters are designated as removable and can be either single-use or reusable depending on what they’re made of. If your mask includes a filter pocket you are not obligated or expected to include filters in your shipping. If you do include filters, package them separately from the masks so they do not accidentally get ruined during sterilization at the facility.
Shipping
Once you’ve finished a batch of masks, ***submit them using the inventory form***, and wait for an e-mail from the Matchmaking Team with your assigned facility. You should hear within 24 hours. Don’t forget to check your Spam Folder!
You’re amazing. Thank you so very much for your hard work.
Note that we will be instructing all of our recipients to sterilize these masks per their facilities standards on our packaging (see below for shipping label one pager!), so if you are unable to sanitize masks yourself, that’s OK. Please always practice good flu hygiene in the construction & mailing of your masks. Wash your hands frequently.
Place your ziploc bag into a mailing envelope (for example: padded envelope, manila envelope, or plastic shipping envelope).
Please use whatever shipping method you are most comfortable with. The following are tips that we are gathered from our community. Please remember to always practice proper social distancing and follow the CDC’s guidelines for protecting yourself.
Other Packing Goodies:
Here’s our shipping insert. Print this out, cut it up, and include one in your package.
Here is a safe handling slip which may be useful for essential workers who don’t normally wear masks!
A handy care and laundering guide from our partners at Mask Makers UK!
Don’t Forget!
Procure a tracking number and respond to your order assignment e-mail with it so that your contribution can be marked as shipped!
USA Shipping Guide
Materials
Fabrics
Recommended Fabrics
100% Cotton Woven (bedsheets, towelling, quilter’s cotton/fat quarters, broadcloth, flannel)
100% Cotton Jersey (T-shirt fabric)
Alternative Materials
With the current ‘mask craze’ many well-intentioned groups are intent upon identifying better DIY alternatives to cotton masks for the general population. As interest continues to grow and expand, we do our best to stay abreast of what materials are trending and conduct our own research into their safety and suitability. If a manufacturer cannot stand by the efficacy of their own textiles in terms of filtration, chemical/heat resistance, and durability, then neither can we. There is nothing wrong with cotton masks, they will always be better than nothing.
To that end we have a short list of alternative materials that have either passed our sniff-test or lead us to advise caution to those makers who want to explore other possibilities.
Filters
Filters are designated as removable and can be either single-use or reusable depending on what they’re made of. If your mask includes a filter pocket you are not obligated or expected to include filters in your shipping. If you do include filters, package them separately from the masks so they do not accidentally get ruined during sterilization at the facility.
Shipping
Once you’ve finished a batch of masks, ***submit them using the inventory form***, and wait for an e-mail from the Matchmaking Team with your assigned facility. You should hear within 24 hours. Don’t forget to check your Spam Folder!
You’re amazing. Thank you so very much for your hard work.
Note that we will be instructing all of our recipients to sterilize these masks per their facilities standards on our packaging (see below for shipping label one pager!), so if you are unable to sanitize masks yourself, that’s OK. Please always practice good flu hygiene in the construction & mailing of your masks. Wash your hands frequently.
Place your ziploc bag into a mailing envelope (for example: padded envelope, manila envelope, or plastic shipping envelope).
Please use whatever shipping method you are most comfortable with. The following are tips that we are gathered from our community. Please remember to always practice proper social distancing and follow the CDC’s guidelines for protecting yourself.
Other Packing Goodies:
Here’s our shipping insert. Print this out, cut it up, and include one in your package.
Here is a safe handling slip which may be useful for essential workers who don’t normally wear masks!
A handy care and laundering guide from our partners at Mask Makers UK!
Don’t Forget!
Procure a tracking number and respond to your order assignment e-mail with it so that your contribution can be marked as shipped!
USA Shipping Guide
TO SHIP VIA USPS:
You can go to a post office location to calculate postage and ship your items, which will be most accurate in terms of how much to pay.
If dropping off at blue collection mailbox, you must:
Use a USPS branded “If it fits, it ships” box or envelope. You must print a shipping label using their Click-N-Ship website.
OR
- Use the correct size and weight of your own packaging.
If simply dropping off at the post office with postage already on the package, in addition to above, you can:
Use larger dimensions and heavier weight (these can be as large/heavy as you would like). Use the Click-N-Ship website to determine how much postage to add.
HOT TIPS:
3/4 thick is the magic dimension. From one of our sewists: “I placed my 10 masks in the ziplock back in a 9×12 white envelope. We dropped it through the post box’s magic ‘slot’ and it was a bit too fat so it was $4.50 to mail. I unsealed the ziplock, rolled it to get the air out like I do for packing, flattened it back out, closed the seal and tried again. EASY, less than 3/4″… so $2.00. In other words — vacuum sealing (or my method :)) when sending a dozen masks may save on postage.”
If you rely on blue collection boxes for sending mail, the cheapest option is to send 10-12 masks (must weigh less than 10oz) in a plastic envelope using the vacuum seal technique for $2.80 using stamps.
If you have Forever stamps, they are currently $0.55.
If you choose to ship UPS, here’s a coupon.
Volunteer Riders
If you are unable to post your masks using Royal Mail or if you have a large order to send, the Volunteer Riders may be able to help.
For more information see their Facebook
Volunteer Riders
If you are unable to post your masks using Royal Mail or if you have a large order to send, the Volunteer Riders may be able to help.
For more information see their Facebook.