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The Best Masking Tape

Last updated on March 15, 2024

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When it comes to tape, strength isn’t everything. We’ve all seen the memes and heard the jokes about duct tape and how it can fix everything under the sun. In reality, that’s far from true: Whether you’re helping the kids with a delicate art project or trying to keep your moldings free of paint, masking tape has a delicate touch that’s just right for the job.

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Masking tape is often interchangeable with painter’s tape, and you’ll often hear it referred to as such. Paint jobs, in particular, illustrate that the big selling point of good masking tape isn’t it’s adhesive strength, but its weakness. Ideally, masking tape should stick quickly but come off easily, without leaving behind any undue residue or removing any paint, stucco or splinters from the surface it was applied to. That makes it easy to protect moldings during household paint jobs by laying masking tape over them. When you’re done, carefully remove the masking tape and you should have a nice straight line of paint above the molding (or below, if you’re working close to the ceiling).

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This light stickiness also makes masking tape a good fit for children’s art projects. You’ll often see masking tape directly marketed to kids and classroom teachers this way, made of brightly colored materials that kids can use to decorate an endless array of things. The light adhesive property means that walls won’t lose too much paint if your kids get too exuberant, and the light material makes it easy for little hands to tear it without having to use scissors.

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Speaking of material, most masking tape is made of crepe paper. This type of tape is especially common for kids’ art tape, and it is recognizable by the slightly rough surface it has at the non-adhesive end. It tears very easily and goes on fairly smooth on most surfaces.

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Then there is a flatback paper that tends to be more smooth and somewhat thinner. Some handymen prefer this type of tape for painting projects because it’s easier to keep a nice straight edge.

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If you’re using your tape for children’s projects or light work around the house, the main thing to look for is a thin paper that will tear easily and possibly the right range of colors. Paint jobs require something a little more robust. For best results, choose a heavy-duty tape specifically geared for painting. This type will generally have a non-acrylic adhesive that won’t bond to the surface after a day or so, the way cheaper masking tape will.

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If you’re doing an outdoor paint job, you may also want to check the specs for UV and weather resistance. Some lighter tapes can bake onto painted surfaces at temperatures over 90 degrees, or slide off easily with the arrival of dew or light rain.

Our Picks For The Top Masking Tapes

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

AmazonBasics Easy Use Masking Tape, 3-Pack

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AmazonBasics

Easy Use Masking Tape, 3-Pack

You can't go wrong when stocking your office supply closet with this masking tape set. The tape is extremely versatile and can be used to secure a package or label a tote. The adhesive is strong without being damaging, and the upper surface made of crepe paper holds both pen and marker ink well.

Overall Take

Budget-Friendly PriceThis affordable masking tape set includes three rolls.

 Runner Up

Feeke Multicolored Children’s Masking Tape, 6-Pack

Feeke

Multicolored Children's Masking Tape, 6-Pack

Kids will get plenty of use out of this set of six tape rolls. The colors on each are vibrant and the tape tears easily. The hold is secure on a variety of surfaces.

Overall Take

Easy to UseThis set features multi-colored masking tape that is easy for smaller hands to tear.

 We Also Like

Lichamp Easy Tear Sealing Masking Tape, 10-Pack

Lichamp

Easy Tear Sealing Masking Tape, 10-Pack

You won't have any trouble using this masking tape, as it is designed to tear easily. Each set contains a total of 10 rolls, making it an excellent choice for an office, daycare or homeschool family. Each roll is beige in color and 55 feet in length.

Overall Take

Leaves No ResidueAlthough this masking tape has a strong adhesive, the tape is easily removed without leaving any sticky reside behind.

 Also Great

Tape King Commercial Grade Multipurpose Masking Tape, 6-Pack

Tape King

Commercial Grade Multipurpose Masking Tape, 6-Pack

If you work in an office, school or have a homebased business, this masking tape bulk purchase is an excellent buy. Each set includes six rolls of tape, all of which have a strong adhesive to safely secure your packages. Since each roll measures 60 yards, the lot offers 360 yards total.

Overall Take

Stock UpThis masking tape is compatible with 3-inch tape dispenser guns.

What to Look For

  • If you’ve got sloppy edges on your paint job, it might be due to inferior masking tape. But just as often, the fault is in the way you apply the stuff. Painters’ tape should go on in a straight line, with some pressure applied to the business end near the wall. If your hand isn’t that steady, you may want to roll it on with an applicator from the hardware store. Want to make a nice, tight corner? Use a putty knife or razor to cut off any excess tape when you reach the edge of the wall.
  • Want to protect your flooring? The most failsafe method is to apply a plastic cloth or paper directly to one end of your masking tape before you stick it to the wall. This will require a masking tape that’s wide enough to handle the job. The process will take a little more time, but it’s worth it to avoid paint stains on the carpet.
  • When it’s time to take off the tape, some painters prefer to peel when the paint is still slightly wet. That does prevent the tape from sealing onto the surface of the molding on the paint itself which can happen with cheap tape left out in high temperatures. But if you want to take a little extra time (and your tape is high quality enough), you can wait until the paint is nice and dry. Use a scoring knife to cut along the edge of the tape before you remove it, ensuring a nice even line.

More to Explore

Of course there’s a record for the largest ball of tape, and of course, the U.S. holds that record. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, a community development group in Louisville, Kentucky. created a sticky sphere made of various types of tape including duct, masking, foil and electrical tape. It weighs 2,000 pounds and is more than 12 feet in diameter.

More to explore