Custom Face Mask vs Big Head Face Cutout: What's the Difference?
Both a photo face mask and a larger foam face cutout use the same basic idea (a real photo turned into a party prop) but they're built for different moments and different budgets. Here's how to decide which fits your event.
A quick note before the comparison: both products here are real and specified. PrintOnline's Custom Photo Face Mask is an A4 paper mask, and the Personalised Face Cutout (Big Head Photo Prop) is CMYK-printed on 350 gsm card, cut to the shape of your photo, 5 mm thick, in six heights from 10 cm up to 60 cm. If you're planning around a specific big-head prop format, confirm the exact product and specs directly with PrintOnline via WhatsApp on +971 52 383 1019 before ordering.
Size
The Custom Photo Face Mask is a single A4 sheet (210 x 297 mm), sized to cover one adult face. The face cutout runs across six heights: X-Small 10 cm, Small 14 cm, Medium 20 cm (about A5), Large 30 cm (about A4), X-Large 43 cm (about A3) and XX-Large 60 cm. So it spans from something smaller than the mask up to a prop twice its height, which is where the "big head" effect comes from.
How worn
The face mask is worn directly on the face, held in place with the strings provided, covering the wearer's actual face with the printed photo.
How held
A big-head cutout is held up in front of the face rather than worn against the skin the way the A4 mask is, and PrintOnline offers the mount for exactly that: an optional accessory of one stick per prop, in wooden or 5 mm foam, selected when you order. Choose "not required" instead if you plan to prop it or mount it yourself.
Photo effect
The A4 mask gives a true "wearing someone else's face" effect since it covers the wearer's own face entirely. A larger cutout held up in front of the body gives more of a "before/after" or "which one is real" photo effect, often used further back from the camera than a worn mask.
Event type
The A4 mask suits any event where guests will be actively wearing props for extended photos: birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties, office parties. A larger cutout suits events built around a single standout photo moment, such as a photo booth backdrop feature or a stage/entrance prop at a bigger celebration.
Quantity
The A4 mask is priced from a single piece (AED 30) up to 100 pieces (AED 490), making it practical to order enough for an entire guest list. A larger cutout is more typically ordered as one or a small number of pieces, given its scale and likely higher per-unit cost.
Portability
The A4 mask is lightweight paper, easy to hand out, wear and take home afterwards. The cutout is 350 gsm card at 5 mm thick, sturdier and more rigid, which is what lets a 60 cm prop hold its shape on a stick, but also bulkier to hand out to every guest at the smaller sizes and firmly a photo-feature piece at the larger ones.
Which to choose
| Need | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Everyone at the party wearing a face | Custom Photo Face Mask |
| One standout photo feature or entrance piece | Personalised Face Cutout (Big Head Photo Prop), at 43 cm or 60 cm |
| Budget for a large guest list | Custom Photo Face Mask |
| A single striking prop rather than many | Personalised Face Cutout |
Order custom photo face masks from PrintOnline.
Related: how custom party face masks work, 10 party ideas using custom photo face masks, and custom party face mask printing in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Browse more in the Party & Celebrations range.
