South Shields company proves a hit with customised face masks

Ice Print & Design in Fowler Street is more accustomed to printing flyers, workwear and T-shirts for stag and hen weekends. However, in light of the pandemic and the advice that face masks can help limit the spread of Covid-19, they adapted their offering to include customised face masks – and they’re flying out of the shop.

Almost a thousand orders have been placed with the firm for face masks, featuring everything from work logos for companies that need to enter people’s homes to kids’ designs to make face masks appear less clinical.

Craig Murray, who runs the printing company with partner Dan Whale, says they’ve had to order another large batch of masks to meet demand.

“It’s a very different sort of product and not one we’d done before, so it was a bit of a risk ordering the first batch,” explained the businessman. “But the demand has been huge and we believe we’re one of the first companies in the UK to do this.”

Craig says some people have had concerns about buying masks, but explains that these masks, which can be washed and reused, aren’t ones intended for use in healthcare facilities.

He explained: “Some people have been saying they don’t feel comfortable buying masks as they think they’re taking away from care homes, or that they’re disposable so aren’t environmentally friendly, which isn’t the case with the ones we’re offering.

“Ours do have removable filters, but aren’t medical masks. They don’t necessarily protect against the virus, but any face covering can help stop the spread.”

A particularly popular option has been printing kids’ drawings onto the masks, which their parents can email to the firm, with a proof provided before printing takes place.

To heighten safety, payments are contactless online and orders, which can be made through Facebook, are either delivered or posted. The price is £9.99 with the first two filters free, but the masks can also be worn without filters.

It comes as the Gazette is running our #SupportLocal campaign aimed at promoting our local businesses during this difficult time.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.

How to subscribe to the print edition

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of. Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.