Woven fabric tape used to flag and black out light sources — adheres firmly and can be cut to precise shapes.
Technical Details
Professional gaffer tape achieves an adhesive strength of 15-20 N/cm at temperatures between -10°C and +80°C. The matte surface reflects less than 5% of incident light and prevents unwanted light reflections in front of the camera. The fabric can be torn by hand and leaves no adhesive residue on most surfaces after removal. High-quality variants use a synthetic rubber adhesive that does not harden even with prolonged UV exposure.
History & Development
Cloth tape was adapted for film production in 1959 by Ross Lowell, after he modified military "duck tape" from World War II for lighting purposes. In 1963, the company Permacel developed the first gaffer tape specifically designed for the film industry with an improved matte surface. In the 1970s, black became the standard color after cinematographers found that gray tape could become visible in wide-angle shots.
Practical Use in Film
Cloth tape is used to shield stray light from luminaires, attach diffusion gels, and seal flag connections. Over 200 rolls were used on Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" (1982) to seal complex lighting setups. The tape secures cables on the floor, marks positions for repeat takes, and seals camera housings against dust. Its residue-free removal makes it ideal for location shoots where rented spaces must be returned undamaged.
Comparison & Alternatives
Unlike standard packing tape (duct tape), gaffer tape has a matte surface and a weaker adhesive for residue-free removal. Aluminum tape, with its shiny surface, is used for light reflection. Modern LED systems reduce the need for tape through more precise light control, but cloth tape remains indispensable for fine-tuning and controlling stray light. Magnetic mounting systems are increasingly replacing tape on metal structures, but they cannot fully compensate for the versatility of cloth tape.