Gaffer Tape Showdown: Standard vs. Premium – Which Is Right for You?

Whether you're new to the AV, film, and live event industries or have been on film sets, stages, and in photography studios for years, you know just how useful gaffer tape is in those settings. But not every roll of gaffer tape is the same. There are two primary types, standard and premium. Since each is best for different purposes, the best way to choose which is right for you is to consider how and where you'll be using the tape.

What Is Gaffer Tape? (and Why Pros Rely on It)

Given its versatility, gaffer tape is one of the best tools a crew member can have on hand. Three of its common uses include:

• Cable management - Gaffer tape is often used to secure electrical cords to the floor, reducing the chances of anyone tripping over them, and to bundle cords together, preventing them from getting tangled up with one another.
• Lighting control - Gaffers tape can block unwanted light from a film/TV environment or secure gels to the front of lights.
• Marking positions - A few strips of gaffer tape can be used to mark actors' or equipment's exact positions on the stage.

This isn't an exhaustive list of gaffer tape's uses, but it showcases its versatility. Gaffer tape is a must-have entertainment industry tool because it doesn't leave any sticky residue behind when it gets removed, application doesn't require a special dispenser, and it's made of non-reflective matte material that helps it blend seamlessly into a space. Find the best gaffer tape for your needs at Tape Jungle.

Standard Grade Gaffer Tape: Reliable for General Use

Standard grade gaffer tape is best suited for small-scale, low-stakes productions. Think school productions and indoor photography studio setups rather than TV and film production sets. A budget-friendly option, you'll often find standard gaffer tape used for securing cables, marking positions, and bookbinding.

There are several brands and colors of standard gaffer tape on the market. Tape Jungle's top seller in the category is the Alanson Standard Grade Gaffers Tape. The polyethylene-coated, cloth-laminated tape comes in a variety of colors. It also boasts a low-gloss finish and a natural rubber adhesive that helps it stick to a variety of surfaces.

Premium Grade Gaffer Tape: Built for Demanding Conditions

Premium grade gaffer tape has some of the same uses as its standard counterpart, like position-marking, bookbinding, cable management, and holding furniture together. However, its cloth backing is coated in vinyl, making it stronger. Its adhesive is usually stronger, and that makes it more durable and suitable for long-term applications and demanding environments.

Overall, premium grade gaffer tape can withstand higher temperatures and more wear and tear, so it's a better choice for higher-stakes operations like film sets, outdoor events, and concert tours. Of the two, it's the more professional gaffer tape.

Tape Jungle's bestselling premium gaffer tape is the Polyken Premium Cloth Gaffers Tape. Like the number one standard gaffer tape, Polyken's premium comes in multiple colors. Its adhesive is a blend of natural rubber and synthetic resin, so once it's stuck, it's not moving until you're ready to remove it. And speaking of removing it, you can have peace of mind knowing there won't be any sticky residue left behind when you rip it off a surface at the end of the project.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing

Keep a few things in mind as you conduct your standard and premium gaffer tape comparison.

Surface type

Think about what you plan to stick the non-reflective tape to before committing to purchasing a roll. While both standard and premium are designed to adhere to irregular surfaces well, premium adhesives are often stronger. Therefore, they may be better equipped to stick to more irregular surfaces.

Duration of application

Consider how long you need your adhesive to stay secure. While standard grade is an excellent option for shorter-term projects, anything long-term or semi-permanent will likely be better off with premium tape.

Budget vs. performance needs

Because premium gaffer tape is made from higher-quality materials and needs to be more durable, it is more expensive to make. So, premium gaffers tape comes with a higher price tag.

Before paying a few extra dollars for a few premium rolls, decide what you need the tape to do. You might find yourself able to get by with the less-expensive standard grade.

Environmental factors

Finally, think about the environment you'll use the adhesive in. Standard gaffer tape is best suited for indoor use, while the premium tape's materials make it suitable for outdoor spaces and their varying temperature and moisture conditions.

Case Examples: Which One Fits Your Scenario?

To further help you decide which gaffer tape to trust, check out these scenarios. Compare yours to the most similar example, and you will probably figure out what will work best for you.

Scenario A: Small stage lighting setup

When you use gaffer tape for smaller-scale, indoor jobs, standard grade is sufficient. It can withstand stage lights' heat and leaves no residue behind during removal.

Scenario B: Multi-day outdoor film shoot

In this case, premium cloth gaffer tape is the wise choice, as its vinyl coating and strong adhesive make it more durable and resistant to weather and high temperatures.

Scenario C: Professional AV crew with high turnover gear

You can use either standard or premium gaffer tape for AV jobs. However, a professional crew with many sets of hands on and around the gear will likely benefit more from premium gaffer tape's durability and strong hold.

The Right Tape for the Right Job

There is no one-size-fits-all gaffer tape. There's no one-size-fits-all tape, period. Each kind of adhesive is made for specific purposes and with certain conditions in mind. Standard grade gaff tape shines in smaller, less intense environments, and premium grade gaffer tape keeps the show running in bigger, busier, or outdoor productions.

Tape Jungle offers both standard and premium grade gaffer tapes in multiple colors and materials, so the chances of you finding exactly what you need are high. Compare each of them, then go for the one that best meets your project's needs.

If you're still not sure which gaffers tape to grab, contact us for a product recommendation.