Tape Tex Tips – Tape Terminology

Confused By Tape Terminology?  Here’s some handy info.

  • Backing: The primary component of tape upon which an adhesive is applied. Examples are cloth, paper, vinyl, film etc!
  • Substrate: See “Backing” Above
  • Conformability: Capability of a tape to make total contact with a surface.
  • Creped: Paper substrate that has small “folds” to provide stretchability and conformability
  • Double-coated, or double-faced tape: Pressure-sensitive tape with adhesive on both sides of the substrate.
  • Gapping: Openings between leaves of tape within a roll.
  • Release coating: A very thin coating applied to the tape backing to allow the tape to be unwound from a roll.
  • Telescoping: A sideways sliding of the tape layers, one over the other, so that the roll looks like a funnel.
  • Tack: The “stickiness” of the tape.
  • Unwind: Removing or unwinding the tape from a roll.