Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: What's that nice white tape that isn't masking tape?

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Posted by Dan Chilton (Member # 2288) on 12-06-2005, 07:51 PM:

I've noticed that a lot of reels have a very nice, easy to remove white tape binding on all the headers. It kind of looks like the tape that you'd use to bind up your hands before a sporting event (if you're an athlete). What kind of tape is that, and where can I get some?

Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 12-06-2005, 07:57 PM:

Do a search for 'reel bands' the answer lies there [Smile]

Posted by Jon Miller (Member # 163) on 12-06-2005, 07:59 PM:

The tape's called "artist's tape". You can buy it through an art supply vendor (like this one) or thorugh most theatre supply dealers.

Tip: Be sure to use at least 4-5 inches of tape to secure each reel. [thumbsup]

Visit this thread for the scoop on proper (and improper) print tail-taping etiquette.

Posted by Dan Chilton (Member # 2288) on 12-06-2005, 08:42 PM:

quote: Jon Miller
The tape's called "artist's tape". You can buy it through an art supply vendor

Great! We have a local arts supply store just down the road. I'll swing by tomorrow and see if they have any of this sweet, sweet "artist's tape."

[thumbsup]

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 12-06-2005, 09:46 PM:

It's also known as "paper tape." My preference is for Permacel P724, but there are many good choices.

--jhawk

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 12-06-2005, 10:07 PM:

3M 256 Artists Tape

quote:
3M Scotch Flatback White Paper Tape 256 flat stock paper tape with a rubber adhesive. High immediate adhesion. Excellent write-on label tape, shelf labeling, and hinging flaps and overlays on artwork and drawings. Accept writing of most pens and markers. 3 in. core.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 12-06-2005, 11:23 PM:

quote: Dan Chilton
It kind of looks like the tape that you'd use to bind up your hands before a sporting event (if you're an athlete).

If the tape is made out of paper, I agree that it's White Artist's Tape... which is one of the few kinds of tape that you are supposed to use on film. However, if it is a cloth-backed tape it is probably White Gaffer's Tape. Although "White Gaff" is good for making labels and "Gaff" tape, in general, is a good general purpose tape it is decidedly "sub-optimal" for use directly on film.

You probably should have a roll or two of Gaff Tape on hand in your booth. It's about 1,000,000 times better than duct tape. You can even use it (the white variety) to repair holes in your screen. If you have a matte screen or a medium gain screen and you do careful work, you can get some good... almost invisible... results with White Gaff.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-06-2005, 11:53 PM:

...(LOL) you should see my booth: I've got one area dedicated to my "artist tape" collection- with me peeling off that stuff from the leaders and having one side of a cabinet plastered with this stuff to use for end filmroll title markings and lead tapedowns when finished with the prints.

Hey, it free and still stickey to use...so why not take advantage of the situation?

-Monte

Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 12-06-2005, 11:57 PM:

I agree with Monte, when TES changed over to artists' tape (or the technical equivilent) I could get enough tape from amount securing the reel for at least a head & tail marker. As long as they'll splurge, save it! [Smile]

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-07-2005, 02:01 AM:

Uhhh, you guys ARE taping down the reel-ends when you ship prints out, right?

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-07-2005, 03:20 AM:

quote: Steve Scott
I could get enough tape from amount securing the reel for at least a head & tail marker.

What I do with these TECH tapedowns is to keep them in the one length (since TECH loves to splurge by putting on a good foot of this stuff on their print shipments) by removing the entire tape and then by wrapping the white stuff around the head lead when they go back into the can when the print is being used. Then when it's time for return, I remove the white stuff from the lead roll, set it aside, splice back on the head lead, then the white stuff gets replaced back on as it came to us - holding down the head lead during shipment.

quote: Monte L Fullmer
....and lead tapedowns when finished with the prints.

..see, I do it as well...and I really like it when prints come from Warner and FOX, which are LOADED with this white stuff for my "tape" collection (thumbs down on those who uses regular masking tape which I leave alone).

GeeWhiz, Mike, you should know us better than that.....(LOL, it's that super cold weather you're getting into being in that part of MONT. ...) - Monte

Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 07-12-2010, 09:41 PM:

It has been 1678 days since the last post.

Posted by Jason Metcalfe (Member # 5739) on 07-12-2010, 09:41 PM:

quote:
It's also known as "paper tape." My preference is for Permacel P724, but there are many good choices.

--jhawk

Does anyone have an idea of where to buy this in the DFW area (Brad, maybe you would know?)

We've been using the 3M 256 tape but the art supply store we purchase it from recently raised their prices ($17.50 for a roll of 3/4") and I'm hoping we can find something a little cheaper.

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 07-12-2010, 09:58 PM:

buytape.com (now goodbuyguys.com), $3.59/roll in individual quantities.

--jhawk

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 07-12-2010, 10:06 PM:

http://www.rsem.com/equipment-details.asp?partnum=CP72412

Beat you by two cents! [Wink]

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 07-12-2010, 10:17 PM:

But I beat you by 1/4"!

--jhawk

Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 07-13-2010, 04:50 PM:

Why is "artists tape" so damned expensive compared to other tapes?
A roll of 4" wide duct tape is less expensive and seems to me that it should cost more than 3/4" paper tape.

Posted by Ian Parfrey (Member # 5122) on 07-13-2010, 05:08 PM:

Compare the price of any adhesive tape to magnetic recording tape and the difference is amazing.
Recording tape requires much finer tolerances and QC and adhesive is just a base with gum on it.

Weird.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 07-13-2010, 05:15 PM:

Bill: supply & demand. Duct ("duck") tape is generic and is everywhere. Artists tape is only in niche markets.

Same with amplifiers. Industry-only amps were expensive. If you can find a suitable one, the pawn shop or guitar store will always be less. Louis

Posted by David E. Nedrow (Member # 4981) on 07-14-2010, 10:30 PM:

Plus, isn't the point of artist's tape that not only does it have a good hold, it should also remove cleanly? Not something duct tape will generally do.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 07-15-2010, 12:44 PM:

and now, it's the high adhesive cheap masking tape that's being used.

And I bet, that the majority of the booths and boxes around the world use masking tape to hold down leader ends and labelling built prints ...

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 07-15-2010, 05:59 PM:

I've used masking tape for years, because it's easy to get. But, all masking tape is not created equal. I use the good 3M stuff -- even after a year or two it will still peel off cleanly. (Plus, I get it cheaper than some might because we sell it at my day job at the parts store.)

In this day of two-months-and-shredded prints, it doesn't really matter what kind of tape you use as long as you USE A NEW PIECE EACH TIME.

Posted by Jeffry L. Johnson (Member # 453) on 07-16-2010, 10:40 AM:

I switched to Scotch Blue Painter's Tape. The adhesive doesn't transfer. The adhesive doesn't dry out. The tape removes cleanly, even after several years. You can find it at most hardware stores.

White tape, like masking tape, varies in quality.

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 07-22-2010, 11:45 PM:

Well, we use paper tape on trailers that can sit around for...decades. The ones that had masking tape put on them in the 1970s are atrocious. We'll stick with paper tape.

--jhawk

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 07-23-2010, 02:46 AM:

John,

Some paper tape can be left on film for years and not leave a residue. Others over time DO leave a residue. Just an FYI.

Sadly I didn't make notes over the years of what brand/model of tape I used to be able to better pinpoint this.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 07-23-2010, 03:10 AM:

Wow, my two "SALT" prints had artist's tape on the leaders - and I peel that stuff off to use instead of masking tape.

Guess the stuff ain't extinct yet with the labs ...

-Monte

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 07-23-2010, 06:39 AM:

Waitsec, Monte. Are you saying you're "harvesting" the backing tape that goes behind the titles on the leaders that the labs put there to make them easier to read?

That's...not very nice to the next guy who would like to be able to read the leaders clearly.

--jhawk

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 07-23-2010, 01:12 PM:

I don't worry about it since I mark the reel number on the hold-down tape anywho and you can still see the leader headers. 'sides, it's just two prints and I may only "harvest" one or two leader's tape anywhos.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 07-23-2010, 03:38 PM:

Regardless of the very valid concern that John expressed above, tape should not be reused...period.

If you ever watched the depot guys open prints returning from their engagements, you would understand WHY tape should NEVER be reused. Also you would understand why 6 inches of tape is needed.

Posted by Jason Metcalfe (Member # 5739) on 07-29-2010, 12:33 PM:

Brad-
Do you guys order tape from a distributor or do you buy it around town?

We were getting the 3M 256 from Asel on Cedar Springs but they bumped their prices up to $17.50 a roll

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 07-29-2010, 12:53 PM:

A little bit of googling...the top ad when you google for "3m 256" is ULINE who has it for $13.10 each for a dozen, and down to $11.10 for a gross. (That's 3/4").

If you're willing to go for vendors I've never heard of (but someone has?), BP-Pack Warehouse has 3/4" 3M 256 at $1/roll! Only in green and red though.

Maybe that's an error, though, since they charge $772.52 for the white, which seems to be for a skid of 48 cartons, 48 rolls per carton. [Confused]

--jhawk

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 07-29-2010, 01:30 PM:

http://www.goodbuyguys.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/22_52_83/products_id/192