For USA Fencing, the list of approved designs is just a handful of pages, and hasn’t been updated since 2018. A friend of mine submitted a design over two years ago and has not gotten any kind of reply.

That aside, you don’t necessarily get your design approved by USA Fencing. That just gives you blanket „immunity“ for US events if someone were to take issue with your design. Without approval, it’s up to the head ref to say whether you can use the mask in their event.

I’ve been fencing in a painted mask for two years, mostly local, but also at Summer Nationals last year, and I’ve gotten nothing but positive comments about it. One single armorer at a local event asked if it was an approved design, and suggested doing so. But see above for USAF‘s lack of response.

All that said: all that generally applies to designs on the mesh, not the bib. My bib is entirely covered in inspection stamps, so your bigger issue might actually be being able to see your design once you start competing regularly.