A Guide to Packing Tape
Packing Tape/Packaging Tape- Considered a pressure sensitive tape used in a wide variety of applications, commonly used for sealing boxes and packages for shipments. The most common widths are two to three inches wide and made from a polypropylene or polyester backing. Other pressure sensitive tapes include:
Transparent Office Tape- Commonly referred to as "Scotch tape" is one of the most commonly used tapes in the world. Used for a variety of applications including sealing envelopes, repairing torn paper products, holding light objects together, etc.
Gaffers Tape- A heavy fabric or plastic tape. Commonly used in the entertainment industry to hold down cables and chords. The adhesive leaves little residue and removes cleanly from objects.
Duct Tape- Has a plastic coated fabric backing and a strong adhesive. Often used by people who need a strong and versatile tape that can be easily torn by hand.
Masking Tape- Used for painting and protecting surfaces that should not be painted. Usually consists of a paper backing and an easy to remove adhesive.
Electrical Tape- Commonly made of vinyl it is designed to stretch and conform to irregularly shaped surfaces. Used to help wrap electrical wires to protect them from the elements.
