2018 Holiday Gift Guide: Week 1, Gaff Tape
As anyone with knowledge of live or filmed entertainment can attest, gaff tape is practically indispensable for producing a seamless show. Typically made from durable cotton cloth, this tape is pressure-sensitive, and once it has been pressed into place it produces a strong adhesive bond. This incredible tape is different from other strong, industrial tapes like duct tape, in that its adhesive is a synthetic, petroleum-based substance, instead of an adhesive made from natural rubber. Unlike duct tape that can be hard to remove, this unique synthetic adhesive provides for clean removal and normally does not leave behind a significant amount of adhesive.
Powerful adhesive action coupled with ease of removal makes gaff tape perfect for film, theater, and television productions, as well as live performances or other events involving stagecraft.
Matte black is regarded as the common kind that is available, although gaff tape is produced in a wide range of colors. The matte finish makes sure that the tape doesn't reflect light, and so easily blends into a typical theater's stage floor. Whenever duct tape is subject to any wear and tear, it has a tendency to lose its exterior color and starts to show the white threading of the tape. This will make it prone to pick up the lighting and can make the tape more easily visible to cameras. Gaffer tape doesn't have a surface layer that can be worn away, and should retain its original color far more readily.
Gaffer tape is most often utilized to keep equipment and cables properly secured. It is important for the well-being of the performances that all the cords and cables don't present unwanted safety hazards on the busy set or stage. To accommodate the view of the audience or the camera, it may be important to ensure that equipment and cables are hidden from one or more angles; it is ideal for securing awkward or heavy stagecraft elements due to its powerful adhesive properties, even when a fast, ad hoc fix is needed.
There is no need for a cutting tool, even though this tape is very strong, because the tape can easily be ripped off in sections by hand. This will cut down on time spent wrangling with materials, making this an important feature for those working on large or especially complex sets, and it allows sets to be arranged rather fast and efficiently.
On top of securing cables and equipment, gaff tape can be used quite often in an array of stage and performance related applications; sometimes the most unexpected ones. Camera assistants will often use small, multicolored strips known as “spike tape” to mark blocking spots for the actors. Spike tape is also commonly used by theater production staff to lay out their floor design.
Gaff is widely used by hotels and conference centers as well, for keeping cables and wires affixed to stages, podiums, or risers during events or presentations. White gaff tape is ideal for affixing temporary labels, or blocking off areas of the stage. In most cases, gaff tape can be really important in all the quick fix scenarios that may occur over the course of production, to saving a broken piece of equipment, to the temporary attachment of props or fixtures, and even repairing clothing.
Gaff is also great in non-performance-related applications, such as temporary art installations, and even crafting! (just ask us about our gaff tape wallets)
It might be difficult to find quality tape locally, despite its popularity in the entertainment industry, but rest assure, StageSpot has you covered with $10 flat shipping on your order!
Looking for a great stocking-stuffer for the Gaffer in your life? Check out our ProPocket Spike Tape Packs in three different color schemes!
