Tape

There are many types of tapes for many applications. Below is a list of common tapes used in props although there are countless tapes available under countless brands, each with their own pros and cons.

Paper Tape

Paper tape includes tapes like masking tape and comes in a variety of colours. Painters tape is great for temporary adhesion, and masking surfaces for painting. It comes in different adhesion levels. Often the set dec department will put painters tape on a wall before sticking anything to it, and this has applications for the props department too. Washi tape is a type of paper tape used in crafting and comes in many patterns. It's usually limited in its diameter but can be useful fro greeking. There is an ultra matte black paper tape that is used to eliminate light bouncing off of surfaces.

Vinyl Tape

Vinyl tape is a great tape for greeking. It comes in a variety of different colours. The most recognizable form would be electrical tape which has many uses. Electrical tape is great for greeking, insulating wires, and because of its stretchiness it's great for binding things together. Vinyl tapes can leave a residue.

Double Sided Tapes

-Snot Tape. One of the most used tapes in the props industry is clear butyl AKA Snot tape, AKA Super tape. The tape is malleable and very sticky. It can be removed by pulling and stretching it out, similar to a 3M command adhesive. It will dry out after a a few years and turn hard. It is often used to adhere things to a wall by first putting up masking tape. It does not work really well in the cold and will not stick to a wet surface. It is sometimes used to put on licence plates, but should only be used for that as a last resort, as it can potentially damage licence plates and people have the tenancy to leave it on plates when they get put away.

-Tesa Tape is a double sided tape, usually with a red peel-off backing. It's thin and sticky. Tesa is a brand, but this style of tape is often called that. It comes in various widths.

-VHB, 3M's Very High Bond, is kind of like a hybrid between butyl and tesa tape. It's thick and sticky, but not as malleable as snot tape. It works well for sticking two flat surfaces together.

-Carpet Tape is possibly the stickiest of the thin tapes and can come in wider rolls.

-Top Stick is a product first designed to stick wigs to people's heads and women's breasts in tight fitting bras and dresses. It now is used by props and costumes for a quick and easy way to stick things together. It comes pre-cut and has backing on both sides, making it very convenient to have a few pieces in a pouch, pocket or drawer. It can also come on a roll and be called lingerie or fashion tape.

-Foam Tape is used when you want to fill a bit of a gap or keep a bit of flexibility and cushioning in the adhesion.

Cloth Tape / Gaffer Tape

Cloth tape is a durable and easy to hand-tear tape that is often used for labeling. It comes in a variety of different colours making colour-coded labeling easier. Cloth tape can also referred to as gaffer tape, although there are other forms of cloth tape like hockey tape and K-Tape. Gaffer tape is a very versatile tape. It leaves less residue than duct tape yet seems to adhere just as well. Like many tapes, as it ages the adhesive will harden and become flaky, and because it is porous, any ink on the tape can bleed through onto the item it's on. Cloth tape can be used to greek logos on cloth items like backpacks, although some fabric items do better with a stretchier tape like K-Tape.

Duct Tape

Duct tape has a great DIY reputation but limited applications in the prop world. Duct tape may be a versatile tape being okay at a lot of things, but for most purposes there is a better tape available. Most uses of duct tape seem to be in prop building to make something look like it's been poorly repaired, or of course to bind a captive. For times when the versatility of duct tape is needed, I personally prefer gorilla tape, although it too leaves a residue behind.

Foil Tape

Foil tape can be used to greek shiny items, to turn something plastic into metal, or to seal ducts better than duct tape.

Medical Tape

Aside from medical uses, medical tape can be used on the inside of tape that has to be applied to one's skin, like duct tape over someone's mouth.

Clear/Packing tape

Clear packing tape has the obvious use for boxes, but can also be used to quickly laminate something. A label printed on matte paper can look more professional and can have added durability with a layer of tape over it.

Specialty Tape

-Flex seal, silicone tape, tuck tape, holographic tape,