It may not be as exciting as state-of-the-art cameras or lighting gear, but adhesive tape is no less an important part of your kit - and is sometimes the difference between a successful or disastrous shoot.
However, tapes have specialist applications and thus are not interchangeable. From botched fixes to fires, using the wrong type for a task can have serious repercussions.
In this post, we discuss the characteristics of several different types of popular adhesive tape and their best-use cases on photography or film sets. Read on to save your shoot!
Gaffer tape
Invented in 1959 by Ross Lowell, gaffer tape has become by far the most versatile and beloved tape of all for photography and cinematography. Why? Well, Mr Lowell was himself a cinematographer, and he created gaffer tape specifically for use on film sets.
No one is entirely sure where the name “gaffer tape” came from, but, as Lowell was also an adept lighting designer, most assume that it is named after the “gaffers” in film crews, more formerly known as chief lighting technicians.
What is gaffer tape?
Gaffer tape, sometimes shortened to gaff tape, is a robust adhesive tape celebrated for its incredible durability. It is typically made of a strong cloth material and a synthetic adhesive with a secure hold.
Despite its strength, gaffer tape is tearable by hand, making it easy to use in various situations without the need for additional tools, helping to speed tasks up and keep kits light.
It’s also manufactured in several different colours, from the traditional matte black to bright red to purple, significantly bolstering its potential applications.
Gaffer tape: Main characteristics
- Typically non-reflective (although it can be high vis)
- Residue-free adhesive
- Heat resistant
- Tears easily
- Not waterproof
What is gaffer tape used for in photography / cinematography?
Gaffer tape's strong adhesive and tearable cloth backing make it invaluable in various scenarios on film and photography sets. Here are some of its best use cases:
Securing cables and wires:
Gaffer tape adheres securely to various surfaces, ensuring cables and wires stay in place throughout shoots, even if they’re agitated during on-set activity.
Temporary equipment repairs:
Whether it's taping a battery in place when a camera’s battery door breaks or securing a loose microphone, gaffer tape offers a quick and reliable temporary solution.
For instance, imagine your camera's hot shoe mount becomes loose and starts wobbling, affecting the stability of the mounted microphone. In such cases, gaffer tape can be neatly wrapped around the base of the hot shoe and microphone mount, providing stability until proper repairs or replacement parts are available.
Its strong adhesive and tear-resistant cloth backing ensure that the setup remains steady throughout the remainder of the shoot, minimising disruptions and ensuring continuity in production.
Marking positions:
In the absence of spike tape, coloured gaffer tape is sometimes used by the 2AC (second camera assistant) on set as equipment or actor marks, as it’s easy to see but doesn’t reflect light or stand out in the frame.
It’s also a residue-free tape, meaning you can use it here, there, and everywhere, and you won’t have to worry about cleaning up after the shoot!
Light control:
Even though its primary material is cloth, gaffer tape is heat-resistant, making it ideal for securing gels and diffusions on lights without the risk of melting or becoming a fire hazard. Matte black gaffer tape specifically helps in blocking light leaks and maintaining controlled lighting environments.
That said, for ultimate peace of mind when working with particularly hot lighting setups, we recommend using something specialised, such as BlackTak Light Mask foil tape.
Greeking:
For the uninitiated, “greeking” during a shoot is the act of obscuring an object or image that is potentially offensive or protected by trademark/copyright law.
It’s not always possible to simply remove these litigation-waiting-to-happen artefacts from a set, but with a roll of old reliable in your pack, you can block out defining characteristics in a subtle manner and carry on shooting.
Semi-permanent labels:
White gaffer tape is also often used to create semi-permanent labels on set equipment. Not only does it accept pen markings of all colours well, it’s easy to see, and, as mentioned earlier, it doesn’t leave any residue, so you can use it to label your expensive gear with no chance of marking it.
Electrical tape
Also known as insulation tape, electrical tape was invented by 3M employees, Snell, Oace, and Eastwold in the mid 1940. It is used primarily for securing electrical wiring.
What is electrical tape?
Electrical tape is a pressure-sensitive tape made of plastic - typically vinyl - designed to insulate electrical wires and other materials that conduct electricity, preventing shorts and protecting against electrical shock.
Electrical tape: Main characteristics
- High insulation
- Flexible and stretchable
- Weather resistant
- Tear resistant
- Almost always black
- Smooth
What is electrical tape used for in photography / cinematography?
While electrical tape is mostly used for making wires safer to work with and around, it’s also a popular stand-in for gaffer tape and can be used in many of the same ways.
More weather resistant and with a slightly stronger adhesive, it’s often put to work for important tasks that may test gaffer - but perhaps aren’t so challenging as to warrant the use of Gorilla Tape (more on this tape later).
Masking tape
Almost diametrically opposed to gaffer tape in properties, masking tape (also known as painter’s tape) was specifically designed by Richard Drew in 1925 not to be strong. His goal was to create something that could be peeled from a freshly painted car without taking any of the paint with it.
What is masking tape?
Masking tape has become an umbrella term for a variety of different tape compositions, albeit all using the same moderate adhesive. It can be made of treated paper, plastic film or even metal foil. It is designed to be easily torn by hand (even easier than gaffer), and, depending on the location, will only stay in place for a short while before peeling.
As the adhesive on masking tape is so mild, it’s important to clean a surface of dust, debris, and moisture before sticking it in place.
Masking tape: Main characteristics
- Easily torn
- Easily removed
- Poor longevity
- Non-reflective
- Not water resistant
What is masking tape used for in photography / cinematography?
Masking tape's tearability, temporariness, and writable surface make it suitable for a range of tasks on film and photography sets. Here are some of its best use cases:
Taping down seamless backgrounds:
Masking tape is ideal for securing seamless paper backgrounds or backdrops in studios. Its moderate adhesive strength allows for easy removal without damaging the backdrop. However, the clean removal time of masking tape can vary, and if left in place too long, it may leave a residue.
Labelling equipment and containers:
It can be used to label equipment, storage containers, or even camera settings with markers or pens. The tape's surface accepts ink well and provides clear, temporary labelling.
Creating temporary markers or boundaries:
As another non-reflective tape, masking tape is useful for creating temporary markers or boundaries on set floors or walls, although its comparative weakness means it doesn’t last long when agitated.
Chart tape for quality photographic reproduction:
In photographic reproduction work, masking tape serves as chart tape for precise cropping and edging of negatives during contact printing.
Sealing against light leaks:
Masking tape is effective for sealing camera bellows and film holders to prevent light leaks, ensuring optimal image quality during photography. However, although some forms of masking tape are mildly heat resistant, they’re not resilient enough to be used on lighting equipment.
How to remove masking tape residue
There are a few different options for removing masking tape residue. For clearing hard flooring after marking positions, warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft cloth or sponge should do the trick.
For more delicate jobs, like removing masking tape residue from camera equipment, we’d recommend dipping a Q-Tip in rubbing alcohol and gently buffing the gunk away. Alternatively, gentle adhesive removers will make small work of masking tape residue, but be sure to follow the product guidelines, and apply conservatively using a Q-Tip or soft cloth.
Hazard tape
First developed in the early 1960s by American company Harris Industries, Inc, hazard tape was initially made of non-adhesive polyethylene - the kind still used by police today. However, it can now be purchased with a strong adhesive.
What is hazard tape?
Also known as barricade or caution tape, hazard tape typically features alternating yellow and black or red and white stripes, and in some cases, has the words ‘Danger’ or ‘Caution’ printed repeatedly along the roll.
Hazard tape: Main characteristics
- High visibility
- Weather and UV resistant - making it great for outdoor shoots
- Tear resistant
What is hazard tape used for in photography and cinematography?
Highly noticeable, hazard tape is an essential safety tool on photography and film sets:
Marking hazardous areas:
Hazard tape is crucial for marking off dangerous or restricted areas on sets, such as around lighting rigs, electrical outlets, or equipment with moving parts. Its bright, contrasting colours ensure that these areas are easily noticed, helping to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of crew members.
Securing cables and wires:
Sticky hazard tape can be used to secure cables and wires on the floor or along walls, especially in areas where they might pose tripping hazards. The tape's strong adhesive keeps cables in place without leaving residue on surfaces.
Creating temporary safety signage:
Hazard tape can be used to mark emergency exits, indicate fire extinguisher locations, or guid crew members to safety during drills or emergencies.
Highlighting equipment edges:
It is useful for highlighting the edges of equipment or set pieces that might be difficult to see in low-light conditions. This helps prevent accidental collisions and ensures safe navigation around the set.
Identifying props or set boundaries:
Hazard tape can mark boundaries for sets or define specific areas for props or actors. Its visibility ensures that these boundaries are clear to everyone on set, helping to maintain order and organisation during filming.
High-vis tape
The roots of high-visibility tape can be traced back to the 1950s, when 3M released a tape composed of micro-reflector beads, each measuring only a fraction of a millimetre.
What is high-vis tape?
High-vis tape is a highly reflective adhesive tape designed to increase visibility in low-light conditions or from a distance. It is typically made with a reflective material that bounces light back to its source, making it highly noticeable when illuminated by lights or cameras.
It can be purchased in a variety of bright, eye-catching colours, including yellow, pink, green, orange, and blue.
High vis tape: Main characteristics
- Reflective surface
- Bright colours
- Strong adhesive
- Durable
- Weather-resistant
What is high-vis tape used for in photography / cinematography?
High-vis tape's reflective properties and bright colours make it invaluable for several key tasks on film and photography sets:
Marking hazardous areas:
High-vis tape is ideal for marking hazardous areas or equipment that needs to be seen in low-light conditions. Its reflective properties ensure that these areas are noticeable, enhancing safety for the crew.
Identifying equipment:
It can be used to mark or label important equipment, making it easy to locate quickly, even in dimly lit environments. This is particularly useful for highlighting the legs of tripods when shooting outside at night, saving you from accidentally kicking it out of alignment.
Creating visible boundaries:
Much like hazard tape, high vis tape is effective for creating visible boundaries on set, such as marking safe walkways, delineating restricted areas, or outlining spaces for specific activities.
Enhancing actor and crew safety:
When placed on clothing or equipment, high-vis tape helps ensure that actors and crew members are visible, reducing the risk of accidents during night shoots or in darkened environments.
Emergency signage:
High-vis tape can be used to create emergency signage, again, like hazard tape, but with better visibility in low light conditions.
Colour coding:
High-vis tape is available in several different colours, making it fantastic for colour-coding equipment.
Crêpe paper tape
Crêpe paper tape is the name given to masking tape made using treated crêpe paper. Modern crêpe paper tape is very similar to the original masking tape developed by Drew in 1925.
What is crêpe paper tape?
Crêpe paper tape is a lightweight tape made from crêpe paper, which gives it a textured and slightly stretchy surface. It has a low-tack adhesive suitable for fleeting tasks.
Crêpe paper tape: main characteristics
- Lightweight
- Textured, slightly stretchy surface
- Low-tack adhesive
- Easy to tear by hand
- Available in various colours
How is crêpe paper tape used in photography / cinematography?
Taping over delicate surfaces:
Crêpe paper tape is ideal for use on delicate surfaces like wallpaper, painted walls, or set decorations. Its low-tack adhesive ensures it can be removed without causing damage.
Creating temporary decorations or patterns:
The tape's flexibility and ease of use make it perfect for quickly adding visual elements to a scene. Although, for more structural set decoration purposes, a seam tape would be far superior.
Masking during painting:
While not as robust as other types of masking tape, crêpe paper tape can be used for light masking tasks during set painting or touch-ups, especially on delicate surfaces where stronger adhesives might cause damage.
Colour coding:
Available in various colours, crêpe paper tape can be used for colour-coding equipment, props, or areas on set, helping to maintain organisation and clarity during shoots.
Gorilla Tape
Introduced by Gorilla Glue Inc. in 2005, Gorilla Tape has become the go-to option for the toughest tasks on photography and film sets.
What is Gorilla Tape?
Gorilla Tape is essentially reinforced gaffer tape with a stronger adhesive and enhanced weather resistant properties.
Gorilla Tape: Main characteristics:
- Extremely tough
- Strong, long-lasting adhesive
- Weather resistant
- Thick
- Comparatively heavy
What is Gorilla Tape used for in photography / cinematography?
Heavy-duty repairs:
Gorilla Tape is perfect for making strong, durable repairs to equipment and props. Its rugged, weather-resistant properties ensure that repairs hold up under tough conditions, whether fixing a broken tripod leg or mending a torn backdrop.
Securing heavy equipment:
Its superior adhesive strength makes Gorilla Tape ideal for securing heavy or cumbersome equipment. It can be used to hold down lighting rigs, stabilise cameras on uneven surfaces, or secure set pieces that need to stay in place during intense action scenes.
Temporary mounting:
When you need a quick and reliable way to mount cameras, lights, or other equipment temporarily, Gorilla Tape provides a strong hold. Its ability to adhere to various surfaces, including wood, metal, and plastic, makes it highly versatile for on-the-fly setups.
Weatherproofing:
Gorilla Tape is excellent for outdoor shoots where weather conditions can be unpredictable. It can seal and protect equipment from rain, dust, and other environmental factors, ensuring everything stays operational.
Creating custom grips:
Gorilla Tape can be wrapped around handles of equipment or tools to create custom, non-slip grips. This is particularly useful for items that need to be handled securely and comfortably during long shoots.
Soundproofing:
The rubberised nature of Gorilla Tape makes it suitable for soundproofing tasks, such as sealing gaps in doors or windows on set to minimise outside noise, ensuring better audio quality during recording.
Choose Direct Digital for all your consumables needs
As different tapes have different properties, each has specialist applications. We recommend including a variety of tapes in your kit and familiarising yourself with their strengths and weaknesses. Once you’re clued-up, collectively, your tapes function as a sort of deconstructed Swiss army knife you can use to effectively solve problems and ensure a successful shoot.
At Direct Digital, we stock a myriad of high quality tapes, sprays and other consumables - so you never have to go without your secret (sticky) weapons. Pick some up today, or contact Direct Digital for more information about our hires and services.
