A lucha libre mask can be made of fine fabrics with a padded lining or of simple flat lycra, depending on who it’s for. Mexican mask makers work in three traditional levels: professional, semi-professional and fan.
The three levels
| Professional | Semi-professional | Fan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outer fabric | Fine fabrics: dragon scale (escama de dragón), Japanese lamé, bandón, sport pes, among others | Puntini lycra, the classic of this level, or the same base fabrics with vinyl appliqués | Flat lycra with very thin plastic appliqués |
| Inside | Lining for comfort and sweat guards | Outer design layer only, no lining or sweat pad | Single layer |
| Signature or emblem | Usually the mascarero’s signature or the luchador’s emblem | No | No |
| Made for | Wearing in the ring | Fans who want a better mask | Wearing to a show and taking home |
Professional
This is the level luchadores wear in the ring. The outer design layer uses the fabrics of professional mask making, such as dragon scale, Japanese lamé, bandón and sport pes. Inside it has a lining so it sits comfortably for a whole match, plus sweat guards. Most carry the signature of the mascarero who made it or an emblem of the luchador.
Semi-professional
A good-looking mask at a lower price. The classic material is puntini lycra, though some use the same base fabrics with vinyl appliqués. It has only the outer design layer: no lining and no sweat pad, and no signature or emblem.
Fan
Very simple masks of flat lycra with thin plastic appliqués. They’re inexpensive and made to wear to a show. This is the level we give every guest: a real mask, souvenir level, with the design of a CMLL luchador. It looks great if you keep it, and costs little if you don’t.
How to tell them apart
Look inside. A lining and sweat guards mean professional; a single layer means semi-pro or fan. Then check the outer fabric: shiny scale and lamé point to professional, plain stretch lycra to fan level. A mascarero’s signature only appears on professional masks.
More on the name and meaning of the mask in what a Mexican wrestling mask is called.
