Thin, matte crepe tape used to temporarily mask cables and mark positions on set. Removes cleanly without residue.
Technical Details
Paper tape is made of bleached kraft paper with a matte surface and a reflectivity of less than 3%. The acrylic adhesive allows residue-free removal up to 72 hours after application at temperatures up to 60°C. The tensile strength is 45 N/cm with a maximum elongation of 4%. Specialized variants include heat-resistant paper tape (up to 120°C), colored tape in red, blue, and green, and perforated tape with 2mm holes on a 5mm grid for partial light transmission.
History & Development
3M developed the first film-compatible paper tape in 1963 in response to requests from the Cinematographers Guild, who complained that conventional adhesive tapes caused light reflections. The first documented use occurred in 1964 during the filming of "My Fair Lady" under cinematographer Harry Stradling Sr. In the 1980s, Permacel introduced black paper tape with improved heat resistance. Modern LED lighting has reduced thermal requirements since 2010, making thinner variants with a thickness of 0.06 mm possible.
Practical Use in Film
On "Blade Runner" (1982), cinematographer Jordan Cronenweth used paper tape to mask Fresnel lenses to create hard shadow edges for the noir atmosphere. Typical applications include taping barn doors for precise adjustment of the light beam, fixing diffusion gels without creating tension, and marking lamp positions on set. Roger Deakins used perforated paper tape on LED panels in "1917" (2019) to create textured light for trench scenes. The advantage lies in its matte surface, which does not create unwanted light reflections.
Comparison & Alternatives
Gaffer tape reflects 15-20% of light and leaves adhesive residue when exposed to heat, whereas paper tape is matte and residue-free. Vinyl tape offers higher heat resistance up to 180°C, but is more expensive and harder to remove. Modern alternatives include magnetic shields for LED panels and reusable silicone barn doors. Paper tape remains standard for tungsten lighting and precise light shaping, while digital control and mechanical solutions are increasingly preferred for LED setups.