Skip to main content

Equipment and materials · equipment

Gaffer tape

Also known as gaffer-tape, camera tape.

A cloth-backed, hand-tearable tape used for temporary, residue-conscious fastening and labeling on set.

Gaffer tape versus electrical tape

Gaffer tape
Cloth-backed, hand-tearable, temporary production fastening and marking; choose a residue-conscious product for the surface.
Electrical tape
Flexible insulating tape for electrical conductors and connections; it is not a replacement for electrical code-compliant connectors or gaffer tape.

Name origin

Trade usage varies by region and source. Treat informal explanations as probable rather than definitive.

Confidence: probable.

Explore related entries

Sources

  1. Electrical tapes product guide · 3M
  2. Lighting handbook · ARRI
  3. Orbiter accessories guide · ARRI
  4. Motion-picture camera films · Kodak

Educational reference only. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, employer, venue, and production context.

    Gaffer tape | Filmclusive Encyclopedia