A Trades Guide to Choosing Masking Tape vs Painter's Tape

Which Tape Should I Be Using: Masking Tape or Painter’s Tape?

It may be obvious, painter’s tape and masking tape are similar, but not the same. They’re designed for different jobs. Masking tape is generally used for short-term masking and protection, while painter’s tape is designed for more professional, cleaner paint lines and easier removal. Which one is better depends on the surface, finish, tack level and how long the tape will stay in place.  This will help you figure out when to use which.

What is the difference between masking tape and painter’s tape?

Masking tape is a generalist's tool. Using painter's or decorator's tape is for more specialized use cases.

	Standard masking tape	Painter’s/decorator’s tape
Price	£	££
General masking	✓	✓
Sharp paint lines	OK	Better
Fresh/delicate surfaces	Risky	Better
Rough surfaces	Depends on tack	High-tack options available
Clean removal	Depends on product/time	Generally better
Short jobs	✓	✓
Longer jobs	Check specification	Often better suited

When should you use masking tape?

There are so many use cases, but as a rule of thumb, we will highlight a few where masking tape will generally work sufficiently.  The general guidance would be that if your paying extra for precision tape for a job that doesn't need it, you may be over investing.

A few of the common masking tape use cases may be: 

• When you are doing short term masking - when you need something secured for a short period of time
• When you need to keep other protective materials in place - protective film.
• When you are bundling or marking a site or group.
• When you are doing simple paint edging where precision is not of utmost importance.
• When you are just looking for basic, temporarily protecting a durable surface

When should you use painter’s tape?

• When you need to create a sharp, clean paint line - don't skimp
• When you are painting around finished surfaces
• On more delicate surfaces
• Where residue would create additional work
• When the tape needs to stay down longer
• Where pulling paint off means having to redo the job

There are a rainbow of tapes. When do you use each color and type of tape? See our guide to tapes.

Is painter’s tape worth the extra cost?

If you are being paid for your professionalism and finished result, then the right protective supplies might have a disproportionate impact on this.

That means, that choosing a lesser protective tape might leave your work unfinished, or cause a call back to rework. And that has a significant cost.

Special purpose tapes are more expensive than general masking tapes, but depending on where you buy them, the cost may be minor. For example, we've seen that some contractors are buying general purpose masking tape at their building supplier for MORE than what special-purpose tape costs from Trades International, delivered. 

The extra cost is definitely worth it for the specific use case. That doesn't mean you need to over pay for either masking or specialty painter's tape. 

What masking tape should you use on freshly painted walls?

What masking tape should you use on wallpaper?

Great question. Here you want to be very careful and go with a delicate/low-tack product

What masking tape should you use on wood?

That depends on whether it's finished, painted or unfinished wood.

What masking tape should you use on glass?

Here you'll want to go with standard masking tape. The only exception would be if the UV impacts the tape.

What masking tape should you use on brick and concrete?

This is a matter of tact! You'll need high tact tape to get the adhesive to the rough surface.

What's low-tack and high-tack masking tape?

Low tack tape is for delicate surfaces. While medium tack tape is general decorating and high tack is for those difficult/rough surfaces like brick.

Which tapes for which surfaces?

Here is a quick guide we've put together based on our client's general decisions. It splits the tack level, use case, surface and job to help provide some quick guidance.

Trades International Provides of Quality Tapes

With thousands of customers across the United Kingdom, you'll find lots of reasons to love our service. If its best quality products with the TI-Pro or ZULU Tape quality, or the direct from manufacturing prices, or the free next day delivery, you'll love working together on your projects.  See what our clients are saying about us on TrustPilot.

Your Choice of Tape Matters, Also Your Supplier

Trades International offers the tapes you need with next day free delivery. Their Zulu tapes are high quality and fit for trade purposes. See our full selection of tapes.