Gaffer Tapes

Gaffer tape, also called Gaff Tape or Gaffer's Tape, is a heavy-duty cotton cloth tape with a strong, pressure-sensitive adhesive that sticks reliably to a variety of surfaces. Originally designed for use in film studios, theatres, and photography studios, its versatility has made it popular in homes, garages, workshops, and other everyday settings.

Gaffer tape is ideal for securing cables, marking positions, labelling equipment, or making temporary repairs. It is typically available in rolls of 25m or 50m lengths with a standard width of 50mm, and comes in a range of colours to differentiate applications, as well as in matte or gloss finishes to suit aesthetic or functional needs.

How Gaffer Tape Works?

Gaffer tape adheres instantly, thanks to its pressure-sensitive rubber adhesive: no heat or solvents are needed, just press it onto the surface to create a strong bond. The cloth backing, often made from cotton or polyester blends, adds durability, tear resistance, and a matte finish that reduces glare, perfect for discreet applications in film and stage settings.

This adhesive is carefully formulated to be strong yet removable, powerful enough to hold cables, props, or other items temporarily, but gentle enough to peel away cleanly without leaving residue or damaging surfaces.

Benefits of Gaffer Tape

Gaffer tape offers advantages that make it superior to regular tapes in many professional and everyday scenarios:

• Residue-free removal: Unlike duct tape, it comes off cleanly without sticky residue, preserving surfaces and gear.
• Matte finish: Its non-reflective surface blends into backgrounds and avoids glare, ideal for stage, studio, or film use.
• Heat resistance: Built to withstand high temperatures, it won’t melt under hot lighting or equipment.
• Easy to tear: Designed for quick, one-handed tearing both lengthwise and widthwise, making it highly convenient on the fly.

Gaffer Tape Types

Gaffer tape comes in several common types, each designed for specific applications, ranging from everyday repairs to professional stage and film work.

Cloth Gaffer Tape

The most common type, cloth gaffer tape features a heavy-duty fabric backing with a strong adhesive, making it highly durable. It is ideal for securing cables, bundling equipment, and general-purpose applications in studios and homes.

Gloss Gaffer Tape

Gloss gaffer tape offers a shiny, reflective finish that highlights cables or objects, improving visibility in low-light or potentially hazardous areas. Reflective and fluorescent versions are excellent for safety marking and attention-grabbing applications.

Matt Gaffer Tape

Matte gaffer tape is designed to conceal cables and wiring, minimising reflections on film or stage sets. Black matte tape works well in dim environments where discreet coverage is needed.

Coloured Gaffer Tape

Available in a variety of colours, including white, red, green, and brown, coloured gaffer tape is ideal for blending with surfaces, labelling, and identifying wires. Light-coloured versions allow easy writing for organisation.

Heavy-Duty Gaffer Tape

Heavy-duty gaffer tape provides extra strength for sealing, wrapping, and industrial repairs, making it suitable for demanding environments and high-stress applications.

Applications of Gaffer Tape

Gaffer tape is incredibly versatile, known for its strength, clean removal, and matte finish, perfect for a variety of uses across professional and everyday settings. Its reliable performance makes it a go-to choice in numerous contexts:

• Securing and concealing stage or film cables: Keeps cables neatly in place without reflecting light, enhancing safety and aesthetics.
• Marking positions on stage/theatre floors: Often used as spike tape to show where actors or equipment should stand, with colours or shapes for clarity.
• Labelling equipment and wires: Its writeable matte surface is ideal for tagging gear, cases, and cables.
• Temporary fixes and repairs in homes and garages: The durable cloth backing of the gaffer tape allows fast, strong fixes that can be removed without residue
• Outdoor events and exhibitions: Its resistance to heat and moisture makes it suitable for temporary installations and weather-exposed tasks.
• Industrial sealing, wrapping, and reinforcement: Used for bundling, patching, or reinforcing materials in production and logistics environments

Whether you're a stage technician, DIY enthusiast, or logistics professional, buy gaffer tapes, a dependable, residue-free solution from RS, a go-to supplier for this essential tape among pros and households alike.

How to Choose the Right Gaffer Tape?

Selecting the ideal gaffer tape depends on your project needs and working environment. Consider these key factors:

• Purpose: Choose standard or heavy-duty gaffer tape based on whether you're securing cables, marking floors, or making repairs. Industrial use requires stronger backing.
• Finish: Opt for matte to minimise reflection and blend into surroundings, or gloss/coloured for visibility and labelling.
• Strength: Look for high tensile strength and durable cloth backing to ensure robust hold in demanding settings.
• Colour: Use black gaffer tape for discreet applications; bright or fluorescent shades aid in marking or organising.
• Budget & Length: Match roll length and price to your project; longer, quality rolls extend value and reduce replacements.

Choosing the right tape ensures professional results and durable performance in any task.

Why Choose RS for Gaffer Tapes?

When it comes to buying reliable gaffer tapes, RS stands out as a trusted partner in Hong Kong. We stock premium options from brands like Tesa, Advance Tapes, and The Safety Supply Company, ensuring quality for every application. Besides gaffer tapes, you can also browse our full list of adhesive tapes which includes clear tapes, duct tapes, metallic tapes and more. You can buy online for next-day delivery or branch collection, call us, or set up a blanket order with tailored spend limits for ongoing convenience.

For full details on delivery coverage and prices, please refer to our delivery page.