The Functions of Masking Tape Paper

Masking tape paper is pressure sensitive, thin and very adhesive, easy to tear paper used in various tasks ranging from masking off areas that are not to be painted or as insulation for electric wires among other typical day to day applications.

It also plays roles in fastening mechanical equipment like bolts, rivets and welds and can thereby help keep the equipment in place. This makes it an invaluable tool for a wide variety of jobs and it provides greatly desired structural strength for a great number of applications including the joining of dissimilar and disjointed electrical cables together.


The composition of masking tape is made up of three layers: a saturated crepe paper backing, an acrylic or rubber adhesive and a release coat. The crepe paper is available in both smooth and coarse options depending on the type of product required.

Artist and drafting tapes typically use crepe paper backed with a low- to moderate-tack, rubber-based adhesive that is designed for removal without leaving sticky residue or damaging surfaces. They are often used by artists, engineers, and designers to create straight marks, affix delicate materials like blueprints or tracing papers, and to make precise lines on other surfaces.

General-purpose masking tapes are backed with standard crepe paper and usually have higher tack than artist tape, although they're not designed for making intricate curved lines. These tapes are useful for production-oriented jobsite tasks, such as bundling cables and cords or labeling paint cans and toolboxes.