Gaffer tape utilizes a non-permanent adhesive that can be removed without damaging the surface that lies beneath it and only leaving a light residue. The adhesive from duct tape will leave behind a gummy rubber-based adhesive when removed. Depending on the conditions, that residue can damage or gum up application surfaces and would need to be cleaned after finishing a job. While these are some of its common uses, gaffer tape is not limited to the entertainment industry. You can use it for other purposes, like setting up a temporary booth or table at a trade show or fair. The comparison of duct tape vs gaffer tape can be quite an important one. The main difference between duct tape and gaffer tape is in their construction and material composition, as explained below: Gaffer Tape These two pressure-sensitive tapes have very similar qualities but they differ in very important ways that may not be obvious at first glance. By the end of this post, you’ll have a much better idea of which type is best for your application. So in some cases, you’d need scissors or a similar tool for making cuts. Gaffer tape can always be torn easily with your hands. There is no need to use a scissor or knife to make cuts, so it’s great for working on the fly.

Whether you’re trying to prevent people from tripping, or you want to hide cables from your audience and camera, gaffer tape will get the job done. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that you’re likely to find this sort of tape in near-constant use around nearly every film and TV set, music stage, rehearsal or performance space - and in pretty much any other environment where electrical cabling needs to be fixed firmly and safely in place for a limited time then removed later on. Certain brands might be labelled specifically as ‘theatre gaffer’s tape’ or ‘photography gaffer tape’, but in essence, the chances are that they’re largely suitable for a wide range of purposes (provided you choose a suitable width, length, colour etc for the task at hand). Premium Cloth Fluorescent Gaffers Tape (67665F) for labeling and unique duct tape options like Camouflage Cloth Duct Tape (67180) Gaffer Tape or Duct Tape? The Final Verdict Being made largely from cloth, gaffer tape is relatively heat resistant for a product in this category (certainly more so than many plastic-based alternatives, such as duct tape). However, even gaffer can only hold its own within a fairly limited temperature range; exceeding this will eventually cause it to melt, and possibly even catch fire. Very few widely available tape products are entirely heat resistant, so if protecting against extremes of temperature is your main objective, then adhesive tape of any variety is unlikely to be the right tool for the job. How is Gaffer Tape Made? It’s commonly used in theaters, photography sets, and video production areas for taping down cables and wires. Used for Color Coding and Social distancingOne of the most familiar gaffer tape uses is temporarily holding down and securing cables to walls or floors. Gaffer tape used on wiring runs generally serves a dual purpose, both reducing the visibility of trailing cables, and helping to minimise the risk of hazardous tripping or snagging.

Both will give a stronger bond than either paper or vinyl-only tapes so consider the following scenarios for the tape you need: Gaffer tape does not stretch so easily, and it’s much less flexible. So gaffer tape is better for scenarios that require the tape to keep its shape. This will then be augmented and enhanced with various additional compounds and coatings, depending on the specific variant of gaffer tapeAs you’ve probably realized so far, gaffer tape and duct tape are very different. Let’s take a closer look at some characteristics that you need to take into consideration when deciding between duct tape and gaffer tape. Temporary, such as securing a cable to the floor. You may not want the most aggressive adhesive available in which case Gaffer Tape is the best product for this application, because it is strong enough to give you lots of holding power, yet the adhesive is not so strong that it is going to damage the surface it is attached to. The polyethylene coating on Standard Grade is also more durable so ideal for heavy foot traffic and general wear and tear. In fact, this tape is so popular for professionals in this niche that it’s become a slang verb. Whenever cables need to be taped on a stage or set, crews will say that they need to be “gaffed” or “gaffered” down. no. Electrical tape is specifically manufactured and designed to cater to the needs of electricians. Duct tape does not offer the same fire-resistant property that is generally found in electrical tape making it a poor substitute in electrical wiring applications

Understanding which type of gaffer tape you should buy really comes down to the particular applications and environments that you will be using it in. Simply put, knowing how to choose gaffer tape just means knowing what you’ll be doing with it! Some people attempt to use gaffer tape on the skin to attempt slight body modifications, as decoration, or to hold clothes in place but then wonder if gaffer tape is safe on skin? Because this is definitely one of the strongest tapes, but it may irritate even non-sensitive skin.No. While gaffer is predominantly used for securing and holding down cables and wiring runs, it does not provide very effective electrical insulation - this is the key role of true electrical tape, which is generally plastic-based (most often vinyl). Since fabric-based gaffer tape can potentially conduct electricity under the right circumstances, it’s not a wise choice for wrapping, coating or otherwise insulating/protecting bare electrical wires. Is Gaffer Tape Heat Resistant? Standard Cloth Gaffer Tape (67680) has a low-gloss polyethylene coating which makes it more durable to foot traffic yet still comes off easily with minimal residue.

Most duct tape can be torn by hand. But other duct tapes are made with added reinforcement, making it difficult to tear with your hands alone. Duct tape is easy to stretch. Its flexibility is perfect for situations when the tape needs to conform to an irregular surface. According to NASA, duct tape has even been used by astronauts to repair equipment in space. Keep in mind that this strong adhesive will leave residue behind if and when it gets removed. So it’s best used for jobs that are semi-permanent or permanent.

What is Duct Tape?

As previously mentioned, nearly all varieties of gaffer tape are made from fabric and cloth. However, it is worth noting that certain products - generally those designed for very specific tasks and install environments - may introduce different materials to the standard cloth-based format, while still being called gaffer tape. Because this is a particularly frequent requirement in the entertainment industry, gaffer tape is often primarily associated with technician roles. Indeed, the job of chief lighting technician is widely referred to as a ‘gaffer’, most notably among film crews. While it’s not entirely clear whether this is necessarily where the name ‘gaffer’s tape’ initially derived from, it’s certainly true that the two terms remain closely linked. To this day, cables that have been fixed down in such a manner are commonly said to have been ‘gaffed’ or ‘gaffered’.