Editing Gaffer tape (section)

{{short description|Heavy cotton cloth pressure-sensitive tape}}
[[File:Black gaffer tape.jpg|thumb|right|Matte black gaffer tape]]
[[File:Gaffatape.jpg|thumb|Red gaffer tape]]

'''Gaffer tape''' (also known as '''gaffer's tape''', '''gaff tape''' or '''gaffa tape'''<ref name="career">{{Citation |title=Careers in Technical Theater|last=Lawler |first=Mike|year=2007|publisher=Allworth Communications, Inc. |isbn=9781581154856 |page=97 }}</ref> as well as '''spike tape''' for narrow, colored gaffer tape) is a heavy cotton cloth [[pressure-sensitive tape]] with strong adhesive and tensile properties. It is widely used in [[theatre]], [[photography]], [[film production|film]], [[radio broadcasting|radio]] and [[television production]], and industrial staging work.

While sometimes confused with [[duct tape]], gaffer tape differs in the composition of both the backing, which is made from fabric as opposed to vinyl or other plastics, and the adhesive, which is more resistant to heat and more easily removed without damaging the surface to which it adhered.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lehman |first1=J. |title=Sticking With What Works |journal=EventDV |date=2005 |volume=18 |issn=1554-2009 |issue=12 |page=23}}</ref>