The Straits Times reported that the designed masks are attracting attention in Indonesia. Buyers can place their own facial designs printed on synthetic rubber and easily reused. Some masks have smiley faces or large red lips.
Heni Kusmijati, 46 - wearing a designed mask - said: "When people see us, it seems they wonder why we laugh."
A printing workshop in Jakarta, Indonesia, added masks to its service list after sales fell due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, infecting more than 50,000 Indonesians and killing 2,620 people.
Customers only need to order online and send their photos. It took 30 minutes to produce and each cost $3.5.
"At first, we were skeptical," said Nicholas Septian Sugandi. But then, demand increased and it helped us make up for the business losses."
Similar ideas are also occurring across Southeast Asia. For example, a Philippine artist is producing horror masks and a Thai single mother designs a face shield with images of cartoon characters and actors.
Malaysian textile and garment designer Hafiz Drahman produces masks made from soft cotton fabric decorated with traditional designs using wax and dyes.
"I am starting to see new opportunities in Batik mask production because at that time, we were instructed to wear masks to ensure personal safety," Hafiz said at his workshop in Shah Alam, Malaysia.
