Editing Gaffer tape

{{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>

== History ==

The precise origin of the name is unknown, one hypothesis being that it is named for the [[Gaffer (filmmaking)|gaffer]] (chief [[lighting technician]]) on a [[film crew]].<ref name=wisegeek>{{cite web|title=What is Gaffer's Tape?|url=http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-gaffers-tape.htm|website=wiseGEEK|access-date=22 February 2015}}</ref> When cables are taped down on a stage or other surface, either to prevent tripping hazards or conceal them from view of the audience or camera,<ref>{{ citation | title = Church of the Holy Gaffer Tape - Top Tips for Gaffer Tape | url = http://www.exposure.co.uk/eejit/gaffer/index.html | access-date = 2007-10-29 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071112133251/http://www.exposure.co.uk/eejit/gaffer/index.html |archive-date = 2007-11-12}}</ref> they are said to be ''gaffed'' or ''gaffered''.<ref name="howgaff">{{ cite web | title = Gaffing cable to the floor | url = https://www.controlbooth.com/threads/gaffing-cable-to-the-floor.7668/ | website = ControlBooth | access-date = 2016-03-09 }}</ref>

Gaffer tape was invented in 1959 by [[Ross Lowell]], director, cinematographer, and founder of Lowel-Light.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lowel.tiffen.com/about.html|title=About Lowel Light|website=lowel.tiffen.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226155223/http://lowel.tiffen.com/about.html|archive-date=2019-02-26|access-date=2019-12-02}}</ref> Lowell reworked [[Johnson & Johnson]]'s Permacel [[duct tape]] product by combining the Permacel adhesive with a silver fabric backing to create gaffer tape which could hold a flat metal plate to a window. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pdnpulse.pdnonline.com/2019/02/obituary-ross-lowell-founder-of-lowel-light-and-creator-of-gaffer-tape-92.html|title=Obituary: Ross Lowell, Founder of Lowel-Light and Creator of Gaffer Tape, 92|date=2019-02-20|website=PDNPulse|language=en|access-date=2019-02-21|archive-date=2019-02-26|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190226070935/https://pdnpulse.pdnonline.com/2019/02/obituary-ross-lowell-founder-of-lowel-light-and-creator-of-gaffer-tape-92.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Properties and uses ==
[[File:Eubank-Love-2011-Figur-Panavision-Remote.jpg|thumb|upright|Yellow gaffer tape used for marking a [[Film crew#Camera|camera department]] remote on a film set]]

Gaffer tape is manufactured in many [[color]]s, including [[fluorescent]] and custom colors, but perhaps the most common variety is [[matte (surface)|matte]] [[black]]. A [[matte finish]] keeps the tape from reflecting light, so that it blends in with a typical [[stage (theatre)|stage]] floor. It is sold in a variety of widths, from {{convert|1/4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} to {{convert|4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}, with {{convert|1|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} being the most common.<ref>{{citation |title= British Standards Document BS EN 12034—Self-adhesive tapes. Measurement of the length of a roll of adhesive tape |doi=10.3403/00971263u |publisher=[[BSI Group]] |language=en}}</ref> Gaffer tape is strong, yet can be torn by hand, so no cutting tools are necessary, and it can easily be ripped into narrower strips when desired. The synthetic adhesive typically leaves little or no residue and will generally not damage most surfaces when it is removed.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mitsui |first1=Toshiyuki |last2=Satoh |first2=Hiroyasu |last3=Hida |first3=Minemasa |title=Comparative Study of a Cluster Analysis and a Principal-Component Analysis Using a Polarized Imaging Technique for Discriminating Adhesive Cloth Tapes |journal=Analytical Sciences |date=2002 |volume=18 |issue=6 |pages=717–22 |doi=10.2116/analsci.18.717 |pmid=12083565 |language=en |issn=0910-6340|doi-access= }}</ref> 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.

[[File:Gaffer Tape, Black, White and Gray.jpg|thumb|left|Rolls of gaffer tape in a variety of colors]]

A common application for gaffer tape is securing cables to a stage floor, podium, or other surface, either for safety or concealment.<ref>{{cite journal|title=What's In Your Bag|last1=Johnson|first1=Kevin|journal=Broadcast Engineering|date= March 2009|issn=0007-1994 |volume=51|issue=3 |pages=26–31}}</ref> It is also frequently used whenever a quick [[ad hoc]] fix is required, from temporarily attaching [[Fixture (tool)|fixtures]] or [[Theatrical property|props]], to salvaging a broken piece of production equipment. A narrow version of gaffer tape, called ''[[spike tape]]'', is used in theater productions for floor layout.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Uva |first1=Michael |title=The Grip Book |date=2014 |publisher=Focal Press |isbn=9780415842372 |language=en|oclc=879632388 }}</ref><ref name=prosoundweb>{{cite web|title=Types Of Tape (And Not The Recording Type) For Audio/Production|url=http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/types_of_tape_and_not_the_recording_type_for_worship_church_sound_systems/|website=www.prosoundweb.com|access-date=23 February 2015|archive-date=23 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223062838/http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/types_of_tape_and_not_the_recording_type_for_worship_church_sound_systems/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the absence of console tape or artist tape, [[Live sound mixing|live sound engineers]] or [[light board operator]]s may use a strip of white gaffer tape along the bottom of a mixing board to label the channels or submasters used for a particular show.<ref name=wisegeek />

In [[rock climbing]] gyms, gaffer tape can be used to mark climbs on the wall. It is preferable to duct tape because it is stronger and lasts longer on the wall.

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== See also ==

* [[Best boy]]
* [[Dolly grip]]
* [[List of adhesive tapes]]
* [[Speed tape]]
* [[Theatrical technician]]
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== References ==
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[[Category:Stagecraft]]
[[Category:Adhesive tape]]