Gaffer Tape vs. Duct Tape: What’s the Difference?

There are hundreds of types of adhesive tapes and no two are completely alike. Picking the right type is as important as the quality of the material itself. So if your application calls for tape, make sure you’ve got the right tape for the task at hand.

Both gaffer tapes and duct tapes are types of pressure-sensitive cloth tapes for bonding to rough and textured surfaces. Any cloth tape is an adhesive tape made with a cloth backing to make it durable and flexible. The tape is useful for various purposes such as waterproofing, splicing, bundling, sealing walls, electrical, and plumbing.

These two pressure-sensitive tapes have very similar qualities but they differ in very important ways that may not be obvious at first glance. By the end of this post, you’ll have a much better idea of which type is best for your application.

What Is Gaffer Tape?

Gaffer tape, also referred to as “gaff tape” or “gaffer’s tape” named for the entertainment and production industry professionals who depend on it, is a pressure-sensitive tape with a durable cloth backing. The adhesive is designed to be low-residue so it can be removed cleanly and easily and applied to a wide range of surfaces, temperatures, and environments.

Premium Cloth Gaffer Tape (67665), also has a pure cloth backing which eliminates the glare from flash photography.
Standard Cloth Gaffer Tape (67680) has a low-gloss polyethylene coating which makes it more durable to foot traffic yet still comes off easily with minimal residue.

History of Gaffer Tape

Stagehands and production crew members had to "spike," or mark, the location of performers on the set. The perfect tape would be simple to take off and wouldn't leave any sticky residue behind because these were temporary installations. Gaffer or spike tape was created in 1959 and has been a staple in the entertainment and film industries ever since.

What Is Gaffer Tape Used For?

It’s commonly used in theaters, photography sets, and video production areas for taping down cables and wires. Used for Color Coding and Social distancing

Whether you’re trying to prevent people from tripping, or you want to hide cables from your audience and camera, gaffer tape will get the job done.

In fact, this tape is so popular for professionals in this niche that it’s become a slang verb. Whenever cables need to be taped on a stage or set, crews will say that they need to be “gaffed” or “gaffered” down.

While these are some of its common uses, gaffer tape is not limited to the entertainment industry. You can use it for other purposes, like setting up a temporary booth or table at a trade show or fair.

Some people attempt to use gaffer tape on the skin to attempt slight body modifications, as decoration, or to hold clothes in place but then wonder if gaffer tape is safe on skin? Because this is definitely one of the strongest tapes, but it may irritate even non-sensitive skin.

How to Use Gaffer Tape

Use gaffer tape when you don’t want to leave residue and you want to be able to easily remove the tape.

Follow these steps to use gaffer tape:

Purchase the correct tape for your purposes.
Choose standard tape for inconspicuous jobs or fluorescent for jobs where you want the tape to be conspicuous.
Clean the surface of dirt, debris, or liquids.
Pull and tear the tape by hand.
Apply the tape by hand.
Easily remove the tape when finished.

Temporary fixes

Because of its low residue, gaffer tape can be used as a quick, temporary fix before a more permanent repair is made.

Cable Management

Managing cables is easy with gaffer tape. The tape will be simple to remove because of its relatively low strength compared to duct tape.

Floor Marking

Mark floors temporarily with gaffer tape. Use brighter, more visible colors such as fluorescent gaffer tape so the markings are easily seen. Use gaffer tape as a temporary option for social-distance floor marking when it may be required.

DIY Projects

Use color or fluorescent gaffer tape for a colorful art project. Because it has a lower tack, gaffer tape is a good choice to hang temporary art or school project installations.

Trade Shows and Expos

Use gaffer tape at trade shows and expos for such tasks as:

Aisle marking
Securing equipment
Bundling cables
Taping booths
Mounting temporary signs
Fluorescent safety tape in low-light areas

What Is The Difference Between Premium Cloth Gaffer Tape And Standard Grade Gaffer Tape?

The difference is all about the backing. They both work great to secure your cables and come off easily but the Premium Cloth Gaffer Tape (67665) has pure cloth backing so unless your application requires flash photography you can save money by going with the Standard Grade Gaffer Tape (67680).

The polyethylene coating on Standard Grade is also more durable so ideal for heavy foot traffic and general wear and tear.

What Types of Gaffer Tape Are Available?

Tape Jungle carries several different types of gaffer tape for you to choose from in the categories of standard-grade, premium-grade, standard-grade fluorescent, and premium-grade fluorescent.

Standard-Grade Gaffer Tape (67680)

The Standard-grade gaffer tape is an economical choice for standard, less-conspicuous gaffer tape uses.

Width: 1/2” (12mm) to 12” (288mm)
Thickness: 11.8 mils
Tensile strength: 36 lbs/inch
Adhesive: Natural rubber
Colors: Black, burgundy, brown, dark blue, gray, dark green, blue, olive, red, white, yellow

Premium Cloth Gaffer Tape (67665)

Premium cloth gaffer tape is non-reflective and can withstand more stress than standard-grade gaffer tape.

Width: 1/2” (12mm) to 3” (72mm)
Thickness: 11.5 mils
Tensile strength: 42 lbs/inch
Adhesive: Natural rubber/synthetic rubber blend
Colors: White, black, gray, red, yellow, burgundy, beige, dark green, brown, navy blue, royal blue

Standard-Grade Fluorescent Gaffer Tape (67680F)

Choose fluorescent gaffer tape in cases where you want conspicuous markings.

Width: 1/2”(12mm) to 12”(288mm)
Thickness: 11.8 mils
Tensile strength: ≥ 35.8 lbs/inch
Adhesive: Natural rubber
Colors: Green, orange, pink, yellow

Premium Cloth Fluorescent Gaffer Tape (67665F)

Premium cloth fluorescent gaffer tape is the stronger of the fluorescent options.

Width: 1/2”(12mm) to 3”(72mm)
Thickness: 11.5 mils
Tensile strength: 42 lbs/inch
Adhesive: Natural rubber/synthetic resin blend
Colors: Fluorescent green, fluorescent orange, fluorescent pink, fluorescent yellow

Gaffer Tape vs Duct Tape from Tape Jungle.

What is Duct Tape?

Duct tape is known for being strong and versatile. This multi-purpose tape can be found in most homes, offices, garages, and other buildings across the world. Duct tape is made from cloth as well, but it’s coated with polyethylene resin. The rubber-based adhesive paired with the fabric backing is what gives duct tape its strength and versatility.

History of Duct Tape

The origins of duct tape stem from sealing and waterproofing purposes. Its silver color was designed to match metal that needed to be repaired. However, as time passed, duct tape quickly evolved to be much more versatile.

During World War II, duct tape was initially created and used to fix military equipment and vehicles. Duct tape was manufactured in its now-familiar gray color by the 1950s when it was mostly used for duct work. Due to its ability to function as an air barrier, seal ducts, and be resistant to moisture and temperature, duct tape is a useful tool for HVAC systems. Even now, it is still frequently used for this purpose in addition to many other uses around houses, factories, offices, retailers, and almost anywhere else.

What Is Duct Tape Used For?

If your job requires strength and durability, duct tape is a top option for you to consider. As the name implies, it’s commonly used for ductwork repairs. However, this tape has seemingly no limitations.

Some people wonder if duct tape is used instead of electrical tape. The answer is no. Electrical tape is specifically manufactured and designed to cater to the needs of electricians. Duct tape does not offer the same fire-resistant property that is generally found in electrical tape making it a poor substitute in electrical wiring applications.

According to NASA, duct tape has even been used by astronauts to repair equipment in space. Keep in mind that this strong adhesive will leave residue behind if and when it gets removed. So it’s best used for jobs that are semi-permanent or permanent.

How to Use Duct Tape

Follow these steps to use duct tape:

Purchase the right tape for your application — compare specifications for each product.
Clean the surface of debris or moisture.
Pull the desired amount of tape.
Tear the tape easily by hand.
Apply the tape and smooth it out by hand, if necessary.

Consider the following other uses of duct tape.

Basic Repairs

Duct tape can be used for a wide range of household repairs and sealing areas for air and moisture.

Trade Shows

You can use more than gaffer tape at trade shows. Use duct tape in various ways at trade shows and expos to:

Secure equipment
Mark hazardous areas
Mark exits
Tape exhibitions
Make small repairs
Bundle items

Equipment Marking

Mark equipment, such as fire equipment, with red duct tape. Use colored duct tape for color-coding items.

What Types of Duct Tape are Available?

You can get duct tape at Tape Jungle in various colors, thicknesses, and strengths.

Colored Duct Tape - Industrial Grade (67236)

Colored duct tape is great for color-coding or matching the color of a surface. This tape is extremely strong and can be used in industrial settings.

Width: 1/2” to 12” (304.8mm)
Thickness: 10.2 mils
Tensile strength: 18 lbs/inch
Adhesive: Natural rubber
Colors: White, gray, black, beige, brown, burgundy, dark blue, light blue, teal, olive, dark green, light green yellow, school bus yellow, orange, red, pink, purple

General Purpose 7 Mil Duct Tape (67212)

General-purpose duct tape is the economical all-purpose option.

Width: 2” (48 mm)
Thickness: 7 mils
Tensile strength: 17 lbs/inch
Adhesive: Natural rubber/ resin
Colors: Black, silver gray

Multi-Purpose 9 Mil Duct Tape (B2280)

The 9-mil multi-purpose duct tape is a little thicker than general-purpose duct tape.

Width: 2” (48 mm)
Thickness: 9 mils
Tensile strength: 20 lbs/inch
Adhesive: Natural rubber
Colors: Black, silver gray

Contractors Grade 12 Mil Duct Tape (67270)

Contractor’s grade duct tape is very thick, at 12 mils, so it is a very strong tape that can be used in construction.

Width: 1/2” (12mm) to 12” (288mm)
Thickness: 12 mils
Tensile strength: 29.5 lbs/inch
Adhesive: Natural rubber
Colors: Black, gray, white, olive

Fluorescent Color Duct Tape (67272)

For maximum visibility, fluorescent color duct tape is bright and conspicuous. It comes in four standout colors.

Width: 1/2” (12mm) to 12” (288mm)
Thickness: 11.8 mils
Tensile strength: 33 lbs/inch
Adhesive: Natural rubber with synthetic resin
Colors: Green, orange, pink, yellow

Camouflage Cloth Duct Tape (67180)

Camouflage cloth duct tape is perfect for inconspicuous tape outdoors.

Width: 1” (24mm) to 6” (144mm)
Thickness: 11.8 mils
Tensile strength: 36 lbs/inch
Adhesive: Natural rubber-based

Hazard-Striped Duct Tape (67210)

Hazard-striped duct tape can be used for safety tape and marking floors and objects that may be hazardous.

Width: 1” (24mm) to 6” (144mm)
Thickness: 11.8 mils
Tensile strength: 29.5 lbs/inch
Adhesive: Natural rubber

What makes Duct Tape different from Gaffer Tape?

Differences Between Gaffer Tape And Duct Tape

As you’ve probably realized so far, gaffer tape and duct tape are very different. Let’s take a closer look at some characteristics that you need to take into consideration when deciding between duct tape and gaffer tape.

Adhesive

Gaffer tape utilizes a non-permanent adhesive that can be removed without damaging the surface that lies beneath it and only leaving a light residue. The adhesive from duct tape will leave behind a gummy rubber-based adhesive when removed. Depending on the conditions, that residue can damage or gum up application surfaces and would need to be cleaned after finishing a job.

Tearable

Whenever you’re buying tape, you need to know if special tools are required to cut it.

Most duct tape can be torn by hand. But other duct tapes are made with added reinforcement, making it difficult to tear with your hands alone.

So in some cases, you’d need scissors or a similar tool to make cuts. Gaffer tape can always be torn easily with your hands. There is no need to use a scissor or knife to make cuts, so it’s great for working on the fly.

Flexibility

Duct tape is easy to stretch. Its flexibility is perfect for situations when the tape needs to conform to an irregular surface.

Gaffer tape does not stretch so easily, and it’s much less flexible. So gaffer tape is better for scenarios that require the tape to keep its shape.

Finish

If you need a tape that won’t reflect or show up in camera lighting, then the Premium Cloth Gaffer Tape (67665) is what you are looking for. It blends well with floors and backgrounds and can be purchased in many different colors, but the most popular is black, of course.

While duct tape also comes in different color options, it always has a shiny, glossy finish.

Resistance

Duct tape is resistant to water and weather, but it’s not heat-resistant. Under high heat, the duct tape adhesive can slide or even dry up. Gaffer tape is much more resistant to heat, so it can withstand the high temperatures from hot lights.

While gaffer tape is usually resistant to moisture, Premium Cloth (67665) does not have a polyethylene backing like duct tape or even Standard Grade Gaffer Tape (67680), so it’s not waterproof.

Strength

Which is stronger, duct tape or gaffer tape? Gaffers tape is true cotton cloth and derives its strength from a tight weave of cotton fibers. Duct tape is a vinyl tape with fiber reinforcing. It is not true cloth.

Both will give a stronger bond than either paper or vinyl-only tapes, so consider the following scenarios for the tape you need:

Temporary, such as securing a cable to the floor. You may not want the most aggressive adhesive available in which case Gaffer Tape is the best product for this application, because it is strong enough to give you lots of holding power, yet the adhesive is not so strong that it is going to damage the surface it is attached to.
Permanent, such as for repair or attachment, then you should consider the most aggressive adhesive available, even if it may leave an adhesive residue or damage the surface it is attached to. Duct Tape is the winner here as it has a more aggressive adhesive that may damage a surface when it is removed, but if you do not plan on removing the tape, then this should not be a concern.

Price

Gaffer tape is usually more expensive than duct tape because it is manufactured in smaller quantities, has more exacting specifications, and is marketed for professional use. Here at Tape Jungle, we have a wide selection and great prices on both gaffer tape and duct tape. Check out our Premium Cloth Fluorescent Gaffers Tape (67665F) for labeling and unique duct tape options like Camouflage Cloth Duct Tape (67180).

Gaffer Tape or Duct Tape? The Final Verdict

So what’s better—gaffer tape or duct tape?

It’s not a matter of one being better than the other. Each has its place in your toolbox depending on the situation. Next time you’re unsure which tape to use, just refer to this guide as a reference.

Why are we the authority when you’re looking for tape? We offer over 300 types of adhesive tapes and packaging supplies for every industry and application. Our experts have more than 20 years of experience; we can help you find the right tape for your application 95% of orders ship within 1- 2 business days (converted items can take 1-4 business days).

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy gaffer tape or duct tape?

Tape Jungle carries numerous types of gaffer tape andduct tape. Compare the technical specifications of each tape such as thickness or tensile strength in the sections above.

Do these tapes leave a residue?

Gaffer tape is specifically designed to leave less of a residue, so it is easily removed from a multitude of surfaces. Duct tape, however, is designed to be a more permanent and stronger tape. Therefore, it is likely to leave a residue on most surfaces.

How do I remove duct tape residue?

Use warm water and vinegar, WD-40, or rubbing alcohol on a rag to wipe away residue.

How safe are these tapes?

The safety of the tape depends on what you want it to do. Look at the relative strengths of the tapes when purchasing and consider your intended use of the tape. Duct tape is stronger than gaffer tape, so it would be a better choice for securing items that might be dangerous if they fell, for example.

What do the experts say about gaffer tape and duct tape?

The experts most commonly using gaffer tape are none other than gaffers themselves or people who work in that capacity for TV, film, and theatrical crews. However, in other related industries, some expertsprefer gaffer tape to duct tape in the duct tape vs gaffer tape debate.

What about experts who praise duct tape? Its use as a space-age and ubiquitous repair tool both on Earth and beyond speaks volumes about how the engineers and astronauts at NASA feel about duct tape. Astronauts carried duct tape on every Apollo mission from Apollo 11 to Apollo 17, where it was especially useful in taping up a damaged fender.

Builders and handymen are also fans of duct tape. They say to be sure to keep it out of sunlight, and that duct tape is not a permanent solution.

What does duct tape not stick to?

While duct tape sticks to many types of surfaces, there are some surfaces where it does not adhere well. Like many tapes, duct tape won't stick to dirty surfaces, so be sure to clean before applying. Duct tape will also not adhere well to uneven surfaces such as concrete, very hot surfaces, very cold surfaces, or areas that receive too much sunlight.

Is gaffer tape waterproof?

Mot gaffer tapes are not waterproof unless the tape's packaging specifically mentions that it is. The polyethylene backing of most duct tape makes it the more water-resistant tape out of the two.