Elite Tape offers two different grades of Gaffer’s Tape (also known as Gaff Tape, Gaffer Tape, Gaffers tape and Spike Tape). Elite Tape #650 is a high quality polyethylene coated cloth with a low gloss finish to reduce reflectivity and with a natural rubber adhesive for quick stick but removes cleanly.  Elite Tape #650 is a nice economical solution for many Spike Tape and Gaffer Tape applications.  Our Elite Tape #665 is our premium Gaffer’s Tape.  This product is a non-reflective vinyl coated cloth with natural rubber adhesive.  Elite Tape #665 has a waterproof backing, matte surface finish and is easily hand tearable.  Elite Tape #665 is offered in 13 vibrant colors and our Elite Tape #665FC is our flourescent colored Gaffer’s Tape.

ELITE TAPE IS YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE FOR CLOTH TAPES

Elite Tape offers a large variety of cloth tapes in various colors, adhesive systems and cloth backings.  Elite Tape #615 is our general purpose 7.0 mil. duct tape used for all types of bundling, sealing, and wrapping applications.  Our Elite Tape #620 and Elite Tape #670 complement our industrial and premium duct tapes.  Elite Tape #620C is our colored duct tape offered in 11 vibrant colors.  We also offer our Gaffer’s Tapes with our more economical choice Elite Tape #650.  Elite Tape #665 is our premium Gaffer’s Tape.  All of these products are available in stock and custom sizes converted to your required width and length.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GAFFERS TAPES

What is Gaffer Tape?

Gaffer Tape, also known as gaff tape, is a strong and versatile adhesive tape that is commonly used in the entertainment industry, particularly in film, television, and theater production. It’s named after “gaffer,” which is a term for the head lighting technician on a film or TV set.

Gaffer Tape is distinct from traditional Duct Tape in several ways. It’s designed to be easily tearable by hand, unlike Duct Tape, which typically requires scissors or a blade. Gaffer Tape also leaves minimal residue when removed, making it suitable for temporary applications on various surfaces like walls, floors, and cables. It’s often used for tasks like securing cables to the ground, marking stage positions, and temporarily fixing equipment. Additionally, Gaffer Tape comes in a variety of colors, including matte black, which makes it less reflective and more discreet under stage and set lighting.

Due to its high-quality adhesive and easy removal, Gaffer Tape is preferred over Duct Tape in situations where leaving no residue behind is crucial. It’s a staple tool for professionals in the entertainment industry and has also found its way into various other applications where a strong, versatile, and residue-free adhesive tape is needed.

How does Gaffer Tape compare to Masking Tape?

Gaffer Tape and Masking Tape serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics, so their comparison depends on the intended use.

• Adhesive Strength and Residue

Gaffer Tape: Gaffer Tape has a strong adhesive but is designed to leave minimal to no residue when removed. It’s suitable for temporary applications where you need a strong hold without damaging surfaces or leaving behind a sticky residue.

Masking Tape: Masking Tape has a less aggressive adhesive and is primarily designed for masking off areas during painting or other tasks. It’s intended to be easily removable without leaving residue, but it might not hold up as well in high-stress or long-term applications.

• Durability and Weather Resistance

Gaffer Tape: Gaffer Tape is often made to be more durable and weather-resistant than Masking Tape. It’s designed to withstand the rigors of stage and set environments, including exposure to various weather conditions and high-temperature lighting.

Masking Tape: Masking Tape is not as durable and may not hold up well under extreme conditions. It’s better suited for indoor applications and tasks that don’t involve prolonged exposure to harsh elements.

• Tearability and Conformability

Gaffer Tape: Gaffer Tape is designed to be easily torn by hand, making it convenient for quick on-the-job applications. It’s also more conformable, meaning it can be molded and shaped around uneven surfaces.

Masking Tape: Masking Tape is also usually easy to tear by hand, but it might not be as flexible and conformable as Gaffer Tape. It’s more intended for creating clean edges during painting or other precision tasks.

• Versatility of Use

Gaffer Tape: Gaffer Tape is highly versatile and commonly used in the entertainment industry for tasks like cable management, temporary equipment mounting, and stage marking. It’s suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Masking Tape: Masking Tape is more specialized and primarily used for masking surfaces before painting, protecting areas from overspray, and achieving clean lines. It’s best suited for indoor applications.

In summary, while both Gaffer Tape and Masking Tape are adhesive tapes, they have different strengths and are designed for distinct purposes. Gaffer Tape is preferred for applications that require a strong hold, durability, and residue-free removal, especially in the entertainment industry. Masking Tape is better suited for tasks involving painting and creating clean edges, but it might not have the same level of strength or weather resistance as Gaffer Tape.

How does Gaffers Tape compare to Duct Tape?

Gaffer’s Tape and Duct Tape are both types of adhesive tape, but they have different characteristics and are designed for different purposes. Here’s how they compare:

• Adhesive Strength and Residue

Gaffer’s Tape: Gaffer’s Tape has a strong adhesive but is designed to leave minimal to no residue when removed. It’s meant for temporary applications where a strong hold is needed without damaging surfaces or leaving a sticky residue behind.

Duct Tape: Duct Tape has a very strong adhesive and is often used for heavy-duty applications. However, it can leave behind residue when removed and might damage surfaces, especially over time.

• Durability and Weather Resistance

Gaffer’s Tape: Gaffer’s Tape is generally more durable and weather-resistant than traditional Duct Tape. It’s designed to withstand the rigors of the entertainment industry, including exposure to varying conditions on film and theater sets.

Duct Tape: Duct Tape is durable and can handle a wide range of tasks, but its adhesive may degrade over time when exposed to extreme heat or cold. It might not be as suitable for outdoor or high-stress applications as Gaffer’s Tape.

• Tearability and Conformability

Gaffer’s Tape: Gaffer’s Tape is designed to be easily torn by hand, making it convenient for quick applications on set. It’s also more conformable, allowing it to be molded around uneven surfaces.

Duct Tape: Duct Tape can be torn by hand, but it might require more effort due to its stronger adhesive. It’s less conformable compared to Gaffer’s Tape and might not adhere as well to irregular surfaces.

• Versatility of Use

Gaffer’s Tape: Gaffer’s Tape is highly versatile and commonly used in the entertainment industry for tasks like cable management, equipment mounting, and stage marking. It’s also used in various other applications where a strong yet removable adhesive is needed.

Duct Tape: Duct Tape is known for its strength and is often used for quick fixes, repairs, and temporary solutions. While it can be used in various situations, it might not be as suitable as Gaffer’s Tape for applications where residue-free removal is important.

Gaffer’s Tape and Duct Tape have different adhesive properties, levels of durability, and intended applications. Gaffer’s Tape is favored in professional settings like film and theater production due to its strong hold and residue-free removal. Duct Tape, while strong, might not have the same level of residue control and is commonly used for more general and heavy-duty tasks.

Is Gaffers Tape waterproof?

Gaffer’s Tape is not inherently waterproof, but its level of water resistance can vary depending on the specific brand and formulation. Some Gaffer’s Tapes are designed to be more water-resistant than others, but they might not provide the same level of water resistance as tapes explicitly designed for waterproofing or outdoor use.

In general, Gaffer’s Tape is more suited for indoor and controlled environments, such as film sets, stages, and studios, where it’s used for cable management, equipment mounting, and similar applications. While it can handle occasional exposure to moisture or light splashes, it’s not designed to be fully waterproof or to withstand prolonged submersion in water or exposure to heavy rain.

If you need a tape specifically for waterproofing applications or for use in outdoor and wet conditions, you might want to consider tapes labeled as “waterproof tape” or “outdoor tape.” These tapes are formulated to provide better resistance to water, humidity, and weathering, making them more suitable for tasks where moisture protection is crucial.

Is Gaffers Tape the same as Spike Tape?

Gaffer’s Tape and Spike Tape are related types of adhesive tapes that are commonly used in the entertainment industry, but they have some differences in terms of their intended uses and characteristics.

Gaffer’s Tape: Gaffer’s Tape is a strong, cloth-backed adhesive tape that is designed to be versatile and leave minimal to no residue when removed. It’s commonly used in film, television, theater, and event production for tasks like securing cables, marking stage positions, temporarily mounting equipment, and more. Gaffer’s Tape is known for its durability, tearability by hand, and the ability to conform to various surfaces. It’s available in different colors, including matte black, to blend well with stage lighting.

Spike Tape: Spike tape is a type of narrow, colored adhesive tape that is often used to mark specific spots on a stage or set. It’s called “spike tape” because it’s frequently used to mark the locations where actors should stand or perform specific actions, often referred to as “spikes.” Spike tape is typically thinner and more lightweight than Gaffer’s Tape. It’s available in a range of bright colors to provide high visibility on stage, allowing performers to easily locate their marks.

While both Gaffer’s Tape and Spike Tape are used in entertainment settings, they serve slightly different purposes. Gaffer’s Tape is more versatile and suitable for a wide range of tasks, including those beyond marking. Gaffer’s Tape is often used in place of Spike Tape due to its versatility. Spike Tape, on the other hand, is specialized for marking and can be used for choreography and blocking on stage or set.