Double-Sided Tape is an adhesive tape sticky on both sides, used to invisibly secure cables, gels, and lightweight light modifiers on set.
Technical Details
Professional film variants use a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) carrier with a tensile strength of 180-220 N/cm and a temperature resistance of -40°C to +150°C. The acrylate adhesive achieves a peel strength of 8-12 N/cm on steel and leaves no residue when properly applied. Special variants for LED mounting are only 0.08mm thick and transparent, while heavy-duty versions for tungsten lights can reach up to 1mm in thickness. The adhesive strength develops over 72 hours, reaching approximately 90% of the final adhesive strength after 24 hours.
History & Development
3M developed the first double-sided adhesive tape for the automotive industry in 1961. Its use in film began in 1973 at Lucasfilm, where it was used for wiring the first electronic camera systems. In 1985, Scapa Group introduced the first film-specific variant with a matte black top surface to avoid reflections. Since 2010, solvent-free acrylate adhesives have dominated the market, after earlier rubber versions failed due to LED heat development.
Practical Application in Film
Standard application is the mounting of LED panels on walls or furniture, as seen with the background lighting in "Blade Runner 2049" (2017). Cable management is handled by 12mm variants, invisibly routing power cables along door frames or behind monitors. In "1917" (2019), 25mm strips secured hundreds of small LED units in the trenches. The tape allows for residue-free removal within 48 hours; if left on longer, UV radiation and heat can strengthen the adhesive bond and cause residue.
Comparison & Alternatives
Unlike single-sided gaffer tape, double-sided tape does not require mechanical fastening of the opposing side. Magnetic mounts replace it on ferromagnetic surfaces but are heavier and more expensive. Suction cup systems only work on smooth surfaces, whereas double-sided tape adheres even to textured surfaces. Modern gecko tapes theoretically offer unlimited reusability but cost 20 times as much and are only suitable for light LED panels under 200g.