How to Make a Superhero Mask

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: April 28, 2021

Superhero masks can add the perfect finishing touch to a Halloween costume or be a great addition to a kids' game of make-believe. Whatever you need a superhero mask for, choosing your style of mask and the appropriate materials, and adding unique finishing touches can help your superhero mask stand out.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Designing Your Mask

1
Use a paper template. If you’re looking to make the mask of a specific superhero, you’ll probably want to use a template to make sure you get all of the details right. You can find a lot of superhero mask templates online, particularly websites like Pinterest. A Google Image search will also turn up templates you can use.
- When you’re choosing a template, keep in mind your own skills. Avoid selecting anything too intricate if you’ve never made this type of mask before.
2
Trace a mask you already have. If you’ve already got a mask that you’ve used before but it’s a little beat up, you can use it to trace the same design onto new material. This is also a good option if you’re making a group costume and everyone needs the same mask.

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3
Design your own mask. If you’re good at drawing, you can design your own mask. You can draw the mask of a super hero that everyone knows, or you can draw an original design. This gives you more freedom in how the mask will look.^{[1]
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4
Trace the design. Whether you’re using a template or a freehand design, trace it on to the material you’ve chosen for your mask. You can use a pen or a marker to trace the design. A marker is probably best because it will be easier to see when you’re cutting out the design.
5
Cut out the shape of your mask. Once you’ve traced your design on your fabric, you’ll need to cut it out. If you’re working with little kids, an adult should do this part. Use a larger pair of scissors, especially if you’re using a thicker material like craft foam.^{[2]
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- Don’t worry if you don’t cut exactly on the lines you’ve drawn. When you paint or decorate the mask, these lines will get covered up anyway.
- Fold the mask in half to make sure that the eye holes you’ve cut out (and any other holes, depending on the design) are even. Folding it over and then cutting off excess material makes your mask nice and symmetrical.

Method 2

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Making a Fabric Mask

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Use fabric for a mask meant for use by little kids. If you’re making a mask for kids, a soft fabric like cotton is the best material to use. The mask will be breathable, and it will be more comfortable for little kids. It’s also a good choice if you’re making a mask for an adult but you’ll be somewhere hot, like a party.^{[3]
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- You can also use felt, although this could be hotter and more uncomfortable on the face.
2
Add extra fabric. If you’re making a fabric mask, you can decorate it with fabric accents once you have the basic mask cut out. You can also add fabric to masks made from other materials to give the mask more depth and detail.^{[4]
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3
Use elastic to wear it. Once your mask is complete, you’ll need to find a way to attach it to your face. Poke two holes in the side of the mask, and put one end of an elastic band through each hole and tie them off.^{[5]
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- Make sure you measure the elastic before you tie it off. You don’t want the mask to feel too tight or to keep falling off! Measure it by wrapping a piece around your head and making a mark where the elastic ends.

Method 3

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Making a Cardboard Mask

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Use cereal boxes for a group craft. If you’re making superhero masks as part of a superhero-themed party, especially for kids, making them out of a cereal box is a cheap and easy option. Just ask each guest to bring an empty cereal box to the party.^{[6]
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Break down the boxes. Before you trace a design onto your cardboard, you'll need to break the cereal boxes down so that they're flat. Simply tear each box open at the places where it's sealed with glue.
3
Use spray paint. If you’re using craft foam or cardboard, you can spray paint the mask to give it color. You can use one color or multiple colors, particularly if your mask has an intricate design). If you want to use multiple colors, tape off the edges of the area where you want to paint. This keeps the color in that area. If you are using multiple colors, let each color dry before you move on the next. Putting tape over wet paint will cause the paint to peel off.^{[7]
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- You should only use spray paint in a well-ventilated area or outside.
4
Attach a stick. Once your mask is finished, you'll need a way to wear it. Using crafting sticks to make a handle by hot gluing a stick to the bottom of the mask. This allows you to "wear" the mask by holding it in front of your face.

Method 4

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Making a Craft Foam Mask

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Use craft foam for durability. If you’re designing a mask that you want to last a little longer - for example, if you’re using it for Comi-Con or cosplaying - use craft foam. It’s very pliable but will also hold its shape well once it’s set.^{[8]
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Heat the mask. If you’re using craft foam, you’ll need to make it pliable by holding it over heat. This could be an open flame on your stove or the heat from a hair dryer. You should only need to hold the mask over the heat for a few seconds. Once you feel the foam become pliable in your hand, it's ready for the next step.^{[9]
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Shape the mask. One benefit of craft foam is that you can use it to create a mask that’s really durable but also fits your face well. Once the foam is warm and pliable, press the mask to your face to shape it to your exact features.^{[10]
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- You can also use a Styrofoam head – like the kind available at craft stores for designing wigs – to shape your mask. Press the mask onto the Styrofoam head and hold it there with crafters’ tape.^{[11]
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Spray the mask with a sealant. If you’re using craft foam, you’ll want to spray the mask with a sealant like Mod Podge, which will help the mask keep its shape and durability. Let the sealant dry completely before you begin to decorate the mask.^{[12]
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Decorate the mask. You can use pretty much any decorating supplies to decorate a craft foam mask. You can spray paint it, add other fabrics or things like sequins, or paint it with craft pain.
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Reseal the mask. If you’re using craft foam, you’ll want to reseal the mask with Mod Podge again to protect the paint and make the mask more durable.^{[13]
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7
Use spirit gum to attach the mask. Spirit gum is a skin-friendly adhesive that you can place directly on the mask and then press to your face. This allows you to wear the mask without needing a stick or piece of elastic to hold it in place.^{[14]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Superhero Mask Ideas

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Choose instructions for specific superhero masks. This can help you to make the mask as close as possible to the original superhero character. Here are some suggestions to try:
- How to Make a Deadpool Mask
- How to Make a Bane Mask
- How to Make a Loki Mask
- How to Make a Batman Mask

Community Q&A

Question

What if I wanted to make a full face mask?

Community Answer

Try using a paper plate, or finding a DIY mask for painting online or at a craft store.
Question

Can I make a mask out of paper mache?

Community Answer

Yes. Just take some thin pieces of paper (preferably) and layer them using a mixture of water and glue; try out different consistencies to find one that suits you. Make sure you have a bowl or some sort of object you can use as a mold for your mask.

Warnings

Don’t let kids handle heat sources or sharp objects, especially if they are very little. An adult should do things like cutting the masks out and poking holes for elastic.

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