Gaffer Tape

Gaffer tape buying guide

What makes it gaffer tape

Pro-Gaff has a cotton cloth backing and a synthetic rubber adhesive. Pro Tapes rates it at 50 lb per inch tensile strength and 11 mil (0.28mm) thick, hand-tearable, weather resistant and cleanly removable from most surfaces. The matt finish keeps reflections down under stage lights and on camera.

Gaffer tape, duct tape and spike tape

Duct tape is a different product. Unlike standard duct tape, Pro-Gaff has a matt, non-reflective finish, tears easily by hand and is designed for cleaner removal, which is what you want on cables, stage floors and flight cases. Spike tape is narrow gaffer tape, 12mm wide, for marking positions on stage: mic stands, wedges, risers and set pieces. Ours is Pro-Gaff fluorescent spike tape, which is easy to find on a dark stage.

Which width?

• 48mm (2in): the everyday roll for cable runs, holding things in place and case labels, in Pro-Gaff matt gaffer tape.
• 24mm (1in): labels, colour coding, and console and camera strips where 48mm is too wide.
• 12mm: spike marks for performer and set positions, in Pro-Gaff fluorescent spike tape (orange or green).

Which colour?

Black is for anything that should disappear on a dark stage. White is for labels you need to write on and read in the wings. Red, purple and teal, and the five fluorescent shades (pink, yellow, green, orange and blue), let you colour-code cases, looms and positions by department, band, truck or act. Fluorescent Pro-Gaff glows under UV and black light; it is recommended for short-term use, as UV exposure, especially sunlight, can fade the colour. See all fluorescent tape.

Matt or gloss?

Every gaffer tape on this page is matt. Pro-Gaff is a matt cloth tape, and MagTape® Matt 500 adds an anti-reflection coating rated at a 1.9% reflection ratio, so it is sold as camera tape for TV and film. For insulating and colour-coding electrical work, use PVC LX tape instead.

How much to take on tour

A standard Pro-Gaff roll is 22.8m (25 yards), so work it out from the job. Taping a cable run along its length uses about a metre of tape per metre of run. Cut into 30cm strips for cable crossings, one roll gives about 76 strips; cut into 15cm case labels, about 150. Count the crossings and labels you do at a typical show, multiply by the number of shows, and add spare rolls.

Getting it off cleanly

Lift gaffer tape as soon as it is no longer needed, and test a small area of anything delicate first: results depend on the surface, the conditions and how long the tape has been down. MagTape Matt 500 is rated peel-clean for up to 120 days, though surfaces high in plasticiser can still cause adhesive transfer.

Gaffer tape FAQ

Is gaff tape the same as gaffer tape?

Yes. Gaff tape, gaffer tape and gaffers tape are the same matt cloth tape. In the UK it is often called gaffa tape, a name some people also use for shiny duct tape, so look for a cloth backing and a matt finish if it needs to tear by hand and come off cleanly.

What is the difference between gaffer tape and duct tape?

Unlike standard duct tape, Pro-Gaff has a matt, non-reflective finish, tears easily by hand and is designed for cleaner removal. That is why crews use gaffer tape on cables, stage floors and flight cases.

Which gaffer tape should I use for taping down cables?

48mm black is the usual roll for cable runs. Use white or a colour for labels you need to write on, and 12mm spike tape for performer and set marks.

Does gaffer tape leave residue?

Pro Tapes rates Pro-Gaff for clean removal from most surfaces, but results depend on the surface, the conditions and how long the tape has been down. Test on a small area first and lift it as soon as it is no longer needed.

How long is a roll of Pro-Gaff gaffer tape?

Standard Pro-Gaff rolls are 22.8m (25 yards) in 12mm, 24mm and 48mm widths.

Does fluorescent gaffer tape glow under UV?

Yes. Pro-Gaff fluorescent colours glow under UV and black light. They are recommended for short-term use, as exposure to UV, especially sunlight, can fade the colour.

What is camera tape?

Camera tape is what film and TV crews call the matt cloth tape they use to label cameras, cases and kit. Camera tape is one of Pro-Gaff's listed uses, and MagTape Matt 500 is designed as a camera tape for TV and film. White takes a marker most clearly.

Where can I buy gaffer tape in the UK?

Order here, with next day delivery available, or collect from our shop at 60 Weir Road, London SW19 8UG.

Related

The full Pro-Gaff range, fluorescent tape, spike tape, LX tape and all stage tape. For more ideas, see what Pro-Gaff tape is used for.