The banking company was getting ready to reopen branches in West Virginia following societal lockdown measures tied to the coronavirus pandemic. Leaders at the firm felt it essential not only to protect employees, but to send the right message to the public that the bank was taking the health and safety of its clients and workers seriously.

As such, the company decided to invest in branded face masks, turning to long-time reliable promo partner Proforma 3rd Degree Marketing (asi/300094) for help.

Demand for branded face masks, such as these from the University of Notre Dame, is soaring. Available at Fanatics.

“They understood the power of branding and the need for safety and comfort,” says Steven Flaughers, owner of Proforma 3rd Degree Marketing.

Flaughers suggested the bank go with dye-sublimated masks that feature a pocket for optional filters. The client ordered 2,500.

“It was all about empowering the employees to be safe and proactive if they needed another barrier, such as the filter,” Flaughers says. “We delivered everything accurate and on time for the branches’ reopening.”

Steven Flaughers, Proforma 3rd Degree Marketing

As Flaughers’ story illustrates, the demand not just for face masks, but for branded face masks in particular, is increasing as more areas of the U.S. lift lockdowns, enabling nonessential businesses and other institutions to reopen, promo pros say. Recent data shows that “face masks” have been the top searched term in ESP, ASI’s database of promotional products from suppliers throughout the industry.

Businesses, higher education institutions, schools and even government are all showing increased interest in branded face masks, promo pros say.

Flaughers has seen it first hand. In recent weeks, his distributorship has sold upwards of $30,000 worth of branded face masks.

Colleges and universities have been among the big spenders. Of late, they’ve wanted masks to prepare for the potential return of in-person classes in the autumn semester.

For weeks now, universities across the U.S. have been selling face masks branded with school logos. It’s a phenomenon that’s occurring in international promo markets, too. Glasgow University in Scotland recently announced it would be releasing a range of face coverings that will bear the university’s logo. The masks will be free to students and staff, according to David Duncan, the school’s chief operating officer and university secretary.

New in: @UofGlasgow branded face coverings - free for all staff and students. Try drinking a cocktail with one of these on. pic.twitter.com/Wq3vasMNHV

— David Duncan (@UofGCOO) May 30, 2020

Meanwhile, Flaughers says universities and colleges in the U.S. have also been busy ordering logoed masks for maintenance staff to wear. The logoed face coverings are great for security purposes, Flaughers explains, as reusable masks with the higher education institutions’ logos help make it clear that the maintenance personnel are with the particular university.

Tapping further into the worker safety aspect, promo pros have been fielding interest from local government officials who want logoed masks for employees that include police and public works crews. “City officials have started to respond very well with orders for (Top 40 supplier) Blue Generation’s (asi/40653) high-visibility masks,” says Flaughers.

Blue Generation’s Hi-Vis Face Mask (BGMHV).

Speaking of popular styles, Flaughers says he’s also had success selling ST323 Bella+Canvas (asi/39590) masks, as well Top 40 supplier SanMar’s (asi/84863) Port Authority masks. “The Port Authority masks seem to outnumber all of the others so far,” Flaughers says. “Neck gaiters have also shown a resurgence as they have been around for a few years already.”

It’s unclear how long the intense demand for branded masks will last. But it figures to be around for at least the foreseeable future as the COVID-19 threat persists. Distributors can help meet the need and thus aid in keeping people safe. “Clients simply want their customers and staff to be and feel safe and comfortable when returning back for the shutdowns,” says Flaughers.