Gaffer tape
Encyclopedia
Gaffer tape, gaffer's tape, gaff tape or gaffa tape is a strong, tough, cotton cloth pressure sensitive tape
with strong adhesive properties. It is used in theater, film and television productions as well as during live performances and any other kind of stage work. While related to duct tape
, it differs in that it can be removed cleanly because it uses a synthetic rubber adhesive rather than a natural rubber adhesive. The tape is often referred to as a production expendable because it is discarded after the production process is complete.
use short strips of different colors to lay blocking
markers for actors. Similarly, a narrow version of gaffer tape, called spike tape
, is used in theatre productions for floor layout. It is also used whenever a quick ad-hoc fix is required, from temporarily attaching fixtures or props
, to salvaging a broken piece of production equipment. In the absence of console tape or artist tape, live sound engineers
may use a strip of white gaffer tape along the bottom of a mixing board, to label the channels used for a particular show; although PVC tape (AKA electrical tape) will come away more cleanly from a mixing desk.
It is also widely used by audio-visual
departments in hotel
s and conference centers
for holding down wires to podium
s and stages. It can also be used as a waterproof packaging tape and some grades even meet packaging certification standards such as ASTM D5486.
The tape is manufactured in many color
s, including fluorescent and custom colors, but the most common variety is matte black
. A matte finish keeps the tape from reflecting light so the tape blends in with the typical stage
floor of a theatre
.
Gaffer tape combines excellent strength properties with the ability to be ripped by hand, so no cutting tools are necessary. The adhesive used is a high quality synthetic rubber which leaves little or no residue when removed and typically does no harm to whatever the tape is applied to. It usually comes in 2"-wide rolls, and the cloth composition allows a consistent tear, which means it easily tears into two 1" strips, if needed.
It is named for the gaffer
, the head of the lighting department on a film crew
. When cables are taped down on a stage or other surface, either for safety or to keep them out of view of the audience or camera,
they are said to be gaffed or gaffered.
Gaffer tape generally costs 3 to 4 times the amount of a roll of duct tape
of equivalent length; this is because it is manufactured in much smaller volumes, and to different specifications that make it easy to tear and to remove cleanly.
Pressure sensitive tape
Pressure-sensitive tape, known also in various countries as PSA tape, adhesive tape, self-stick tape, sticky tape, or just tape, is an adhesive tape that will stick with application pressure, without the need for solvent, heat, or water for activation...
with strong adhesive properties. It is used in theater, film and television productions as well as during live performances and any other kind of stage work. While related to duct tape
Duct tape
Duct tape, or duck tape, is cloth- or scrim-backed pressure sensitive tape often sealed with polyethylene. It is very similar to gaffer tape but differs in that gaffer tape was designed to be cleanly removed, while duct tape was not. It has a standard width of and is generally silver or black...
, it differs in that it can be removed cleanly because it uses a synthetic rubber adhesive rather than a natural rubber adhesive. The tape is often referred to as a production expendable because it is discarded after the production process is complete.
Uses
The most common use for gaffer tape is securing cables to the stage floor or other surface, either for safety or to keep them out of view of the audience or camera. Camera assistantsClapper loader
A clapper loader, or second assistant camera is part of a film crew, whose main functions are that of loading the raw film stock into camera magazines, operating the clapperboard at the beginning of each take, marking the actors as necessary, and maintaining all records and paperwork for the...
use short strips of different colors to lay blocking
Blocking (stage)
Blocking is a theatre term which refers to the precise movement and positioning of actors on a stage in order to facilitate the performance of a play, ballet, film or opera. The term derives from the practice of 19th century theatre directors such as Sir W. S...
markers for actors. Similarly, a narrow version of gaffer tape, called spike tape
Spike tape
Spike tape is a cotton cloth tape used to create temporary markings on stages and theatrical sets. Spike tape is usually made of the same material as Gaffer's Tape.-General information:...
, is used in theatre productions for floor layout. It is also used whenever a quick ad-hoc fix is required, from temporarily attaching fixtures or props
Theatrical property
A theatrical property, commonly referred to as a prop, is an object used on stage by actors to further the plot or story line of a theatrical production. Smaller props are referred to as "hand props". Larger props may also be set decoration, such as a chair or table. The difference between a set...
, to salvaging a broken piece of production equipment. In the absence of console tape or artist tape, live sound engineers
Live sound mixing
Live sound mixing is the art of combining and processing a number of audio signals together to create a "mix" that the audience or performers at a live show hear. There can be a variety of different mixes required, depending on the performance requirements...
may use a strip of white gaffer tape along the bottom of a mixing board, to label the channels used for a particular show; although PVC tape (AKA electrical tape) will come away more cleanly from a mixing desk.
It is also widely used by audio-visual
Audio-visual
The term Audio-Visual may refer to works with both a sound and a visual component, the production or use of such works, or to equipment used to create and present such works...
departments in hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
s and conference centers
Convention center
A convention center is a large building that is designed to hold a convention, where individuals and groups gather to promote and share common interests. Convention centers typically offer sufficient floor area to accommodate several thousand attendees...
for holding down wires to podium
Podium
A podium is a platform that is used to raise something to a short distance above its surroundings. It derives from the Greek πόδι In architecture a building can rest on a large podium. Podia can also be used to raise people, for instance the conductor of an orchestra stands on a podium as do many...
s and stages. It can also be used as a waterproof packaging tape and some grades even meet packaging certification standards such as ASTM D5486.
The tape is manufactured in many color
Color
Color or colour is the visual perceptual property corresponding in humans to the categories called red, green, blue and others. Color derives from the spectrum of light interacting in the eye with the spectral sensitivities of the light receptors...
s, including fluorescent and custom colors, but the most common variety is matte black
Black
Black is the color of objects that do not emit or reflect light in any part of the visible spectrum; they absorb all such frequencies of light...
. A matte finish keeps the tape from reflecting light so the tape blends in with the typical stage
Stage (theatre)
In theatre or performance arts, the stage is a designated space for the performance productions. The stage serves as a space for actors or performers and a focal point for the members of the audience...
floor of a theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
.
Gaffer tape combines excellent strength properties with the ability to be ripped by hand, so no cutting tools are necessary. The adhesive used is a high quality synthetic rubber which leaves little or no residue when removed and typically does no harm to whatever the tape is applied to. It usually comes in 2"-wide rolls, and the cloth composition allows a consistent tear, which means it easily tears into two 1" strips, if needed.
It is named for the gaffer
Gaffer (filmmaking)
A gaffer in the motion picture industry and on a television crew is an electrician that can be head of the electrical department, responsible for the execution of the lighting plan for a production. Gaffer, outside of the motion picture industry, is a traditional British English word for an older...
, the head of the lighting department on a film crew
Film crew
Television crew positions are derived from those of film crew positions.A film crew is a group of people hired by a production company for the purpose of producing a film or motion picture. Crew are distinguished from cast, the Actors who appear in front of the camera or provide voices for...
. When cables are taped down on a stage or other surface, either for safety or to keep them out of view of the audience or camera,
they are said to be gaffed or gaffered.
Gaffer tape generally costs 3 to 4 times the amount of a roll of duct tape
Duct tape
Duct tape, or duck tape, is cloth- or scrim-backed pressure sensitive tape often sealed with polyethylene. It is very similar to gaffer tape but differs in that gaffer tape was designed to be cleanly removed, while duct tape was not. It has a standard width of and is generally silver or black...
of equivalent length; this is because it is manufactured in much smaller volumes, and to different specifications that make it easy to tear and to remove cleanly.
See also
- Duct tapeDuct tapeDuct tape, or duck tape, is cloth- or scrim-backed pressure sensitive tape often sealed with polyethylene. It is very similar to gaffer tape but differs in that gaffer tape was designed to be cleanly removed, while duct tape was not. It has a standard width of and is generally silver or black...
- Speed tapeSpeed tapeSpeed tape is an aluminized tape used to do minor repairs on airplanes. It looks similar to duct tape , but its adhesive is capable of sticking on an airplane fuselage or wing at high speeds, hence the name. During the Vietnam War, helicopter rotor blades damaged by small-arms fire had a temporary...
- Best boyBest boyIn a film crew there are two kinds of best boy: best boy electric and best boy grip. They are assistants to their department heads, the gaffer and the key grip, respectively.- Job responsibilities :...
- Dolly gripDolly gripIn cinematography, the dolly grip dedicated technician trained to operate the camera dolly. The individual places, levels, and moves the dolly track, then pushes and pulls the dolly and usually a camera operator and camera assistant as riders. If the dolly has a moveable vertical axis, such as a...
- Theatrical technicianTheatrical technicianA theatrical technician, is a person who operates technical equipment and systems in the Performing arts and Entertainment industry...