You might think that painting is all about, well painting, but to get a truly spectacular job, preparation is key. Filling, sanding, and taping are all essential for the best results. And the best painter’s tape is something you need to invest in. A quality product will produce crisp lines and will protect anything you need to be covered. And interestingly, painter’s tape can actually be used for other DIY projects including designing a picture gallery wall, arranging furniture, and even organizing electrical cords.
We’ve found five of the best painter’s tape products for you so you can always have this impressive tool on hand. Of the five, our Editor’s Choice is the FrogTape Multi-Surface Painter's Tape. Along with this one, there are four other painter’s tapes that definitely warrant your consideration. Take a look at our product reviews to better understand what they have to offer.
In addition to our product reviews, you will also find a buyer’s guide. This detailed analysis of painter’s tape features will leave you knowledgeable about the products on offer. Features including length, width, and a number of rolls included in the package are essential for deciding which item to purchase. We will also answer any remaining questions you may have. Finding the best painter’s tape will lead to a lot less frustration so get ready for a flurry of DIY projects.
More features: multi-surface tape
Our Editor’s Choice for best painter’s tape masking tape is FrogTape Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape. Just as it states in its name, this painter’s tape is perfect for all surfaces. You can keep it on hand and use it for just about any DIY project.
With your purchase, you receive four rolls of tape. Each roll is a standard 60 yards long and measures 1.41 inches in width. That means you get 240 yards in total of tape.
The width of the tape is not too short and not too wide, meaning it is quite versatile. No matter what the job is, this tape will help create a barrier, so you get nice, crisp painting lines. The adhesion on the tape promises crisp lines, and you can keep the tape on up to 21 days before it reaches its maximum clean release period. This gives you plenty of time to perfect your project.
If you’re in doubt of FrogTape’s ability to create clean lines, just look to its Paint Block Technology. Indeed, the name says it all. The paint is blocked from leaking under the tape.
While reviews of FrogTape are unanimous in its praise, the width has got a bit of criticism. You will either need to double up in tape to create a wider area or find a different, wider product altogether. Doubling up is an easy fix but it will mean extra costs. However, this is still a very versatile painter’s tape that should be a home staple.
More features: 2-inch wide version is available; resistant to paint bleed through
Need to stock up on painter’s tape but want to do so on a budget? Try True Blue Premium Blue Professional Painter’s Tape. With six rolls in a package, you get a lot of bang for your back. Each roll is a standard 60 yards in length, for a total of 360 yards of tape with every purchase.
The width of True Blue Premium Blue Professional Painter’s Tape is a bit larger than average, at 1.5 inches. This is a nice size. However, if you need wider tape, a two-inch wide version is also available. It can be hard to find a brand you trust and harder still if you need a different version of a product. Thankfully, the different sizes available mean you can use True Blue Premium Blue Professional Painter’s Tape for just about any project you have in mind.
For the toughest of paint jobs, you can use this great painter’s tape. It is extremely resistant to paint bleed through and will leave you with nice, crisp lines.
You can remove the tape up to 14 days, and there should be no surprises underneath. True Blue Premium Blue Professional Painter’s Tape works well on regular walls as well as glass, trim, and even unfinished wood.
If you’re still not convinced that this tape knows what it’s about, just look to the history behind it. True Blue Tape was actually created by two professional painters. They wanted a product that not only worked well but was affordable. It took a bit of time and effort, but the result speaks for itself.
More features: high adhesion on rough, uneven or hard-to-stick surfaces
Not all projects are created equal and thankfully not all painter’s tapes are created equal, too. If you have a job where you need to paint over concrete, brick, or grout, Scotch Concrete, Brick & Grout Painter’s Tape is the tool for you.
Scotch tape is one of the leading brands in painter’s tape for a reason. You get good, consistent quality with their products.
With this painter’s tape, you can still create crisp lines, even over rough surfaces such as concrete and brick.
Included in your purchase are four rolls of tape. Each roll is 60 yards long, for a total of 240 yards. While this might seem like plenty of tape, keep in mind that the rolls are only one-inch wide. There’s a good chance you will have to double up on the tape, which means paying more for less tape. If you do anticipate needing to cover more surface, however, check out the 1.4-inch version of the same tape.
One other thing to consider is that Scotch Concrete, Brick & Grout Painter’s Tape has a clean release period of just five days. This is to be expected given the type of surface it works on, but be prepared as it may limit your approach to your next project. Once the tape is removed, though, there won’t be any sticky residue, which is a really nice feature.
More features: edge-lock technology; UV and sunlight resistant
Painter’s tape is made for all types of surfaces, and in the case of Scotch Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape, it’s made for areas in need of gentle removal. Surfaces that are already painted, cabinets, baseboards, and window trim, can all benefit from this type of tape.
While the paint does peel off easily, you can still expect it to provide crisp lines, which is why it’s perfect for creating an accent wall with stripes. The edge-lock technology works really well so there is not paint bleeding.
Another great feature of Scotch Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape is its UV and sunlight resistance. While this tape is recommended for indoor use only, its ability to block UV lights is perfect for those bright living rooms where sun filters in.
Rounding off its great features is the clean release period. You can leave Scotch Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape on for up to 60 days and still expect a clean area with no residue after removal. This is the perfect feature for large, intricate projects.
All this is great, but it does mean a hefty price tag. You can find other alternatives that are more budget-friendly. And if you just have an ordinary paint job to complete, they will be fine. If, however, you have a delicate surface and intricate line work, it’s best to invest in a premium product.
More features: withstands temperatures of up to 150 degrees centigrade
Have a lot of painting to do? Or maybe you have your own painting business. If you need a lot of quality painter’s tape then Bulk Blue Painters Tape is the clear winner.
With your purchase you get 12 rolls of tape. That’s right, 12. That’s a pretty impressive number. Each roll of tape measures 60 yards, for a total of 720 yards. That’s a lot of coverage.
The width of the Bulk Blue Painters Tape is 1.6 inches which is slightly wider than average. This width leads to a lot of versatility. You can effectively block off most surfaces and even reach hidden areas.
You can use Bulk Blue Painters Tape on multiple surfaces, including glass, metal, trim, and vinyl. What’s truly amazing is that this tape can withstand temperatures of 150 degrees. The tape is also UV-resistant. So, if you are working outside in the summer, you can trust that Bulk Blue Painters Tape will work well.
The clean release period is 14 days, which is more than enough to complete any project. You can also expect nice, clean lines as paint won’t bleed under the tape. The only thing you will want to consider is that to achieve these crisp lines, you need to really stick and smooth down the tape. If you just lightly place this painter’s tape, there is a chance the lines won’t be as nice as you had wanted.
Still not sure which painter’s tape will work for you? Take a look at these common features of painter’s tape, so you know exactly what will work for your needs. If you still have questions, we’ve also included some of the most frequently asked ones about painter’s tapes, along with our comprehensive answers.
Painter’s tape may seem straightforward, but there exists a lot of choice for a reason. While you may just think of painter’s tape for a living room, there are many different reasons why you may need tape in the first place. These features will allow you to understand the differences in the products to help you make the right purchasing decision.
Wherever you plan on using painter’s tape, be sure to know what the surface is made of. While household walls are the most common, you might also need to use painter’s tape on other surfaces such as glass, metal, ceramic, and brick.
Porous and rough surfaces, such as brick, are a lot harder to hold tape. Therefore, if you need painter’s tape for any unique surface, be sure to find a product made specifically for this area.
The Scotch Concrete, Brick & Grout Painter’s Tape, as the name suggests, is perfect for rough surfaces. The Scotch Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape, on the other hand, is perfect if you have fine detailing, such as a painted surface with specific detailing. Not all surfaces are equal so find the type of tape made for each surface.
When deciding which painter’s tape to use, look at where you will be using it. If you need to cover ceiling or floor edges, a wider painter’s tape is recommended. Something like the Bulk Blue Painters Tape offers a 1.6-inch wide tape. This is a versatile product that helps minimize any paint splatters.
If, however, you’re working with tight areas, try the Scotch Concrete, Brick & Grout Painter’s Tape with its much thinner, one-inch width. This will help protect tight corners and harder to reach areas.
With all of our products, 60 yards is the standard length of tape. When purchasing any product, pay attention not just to price but to price per unit. If you find a cheaply priced painter’s tape, but its length is only 20 yards, then it’s actually not that much of a bargain. Thankfully, all our products are the same length which makes it easier to compare unit price.
For the most part, painter’s tape is fairly easy to understand. Find the right product, place it on a specific area, paint over it, and then remove it. But the removal part actually has a bit of science behind it. Each painter’s tape product has a clean removal period assigned to it. This is the amount of time where the tape provides the optimal results when being removed. Wait too long, and the manufacturer can no longer guarantee a smooth, clean removal.
All of the products on our list vary greatly with this removal period, so pay close attention. The Scotch Concrete, Brick & Grout Painter’s Tape, for example, only has a removal period of five days. The Scotch Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape, on the other hand, has a removal period of 60 days. Make sure you read the packaging and stick to this timeframe. Otherwise, positive results can’t be guaranteed.
Similar to the length of a roll, you’ll want to know how many rolls come in a package to better determine if the price is a good deal. Four is the standard amount, although the True Blue Premium Blue Professional Painter’s Tape actually has six rolls in its pack. Four to six rolls is a nice amount and will help with a few projects.
If you plan on a lot of painting or other projects, you might as well stock up on supplies. The Bulk Blue Painters Tape package is the best bet, then as it gives you an impressive 12 rolls in its package. You won’t be needing to buy any tape for a while with this purchase.
Within the realm of painter’s tape, it’s amazing just how many options are available. In addition to standard features, you might find dome more exciting, extra features. For example, the Scotch Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape offers UV protection. If you need to bring an inside item outside to work on, being able to protect parts of it from UV light is a real bonus.
Another product, the Bulk Blue Painters Tape, offers the ability to withstand temperatures up to 150 Fahrenheit. For those working on projects during the summer, this is an excellent feature. If you have any special tape needs when it comes to your next DIY project, be sure to look for these extra features that will make the job a lot less difficult.
Ready to transform your home or get started on your next DIY project? Make sure you have all the tools necessary, like painter’s tape.
Our Editor’s Choice is the FrogTape Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape. It’s perfect for all your painting needs and should be a staple in anyone’s home.
Our pick for the Best Value for painter’s tape is the True Blue Premium Blue Professional Painter’s Tape. This heavy-duty tape won’t bleed and instead will give you crisp, clean lines, all at an affordable price. The best paint results come from an abundance of preparation. By picking the best painter’s tape, you can be assured of a project you’re proud of.
Finally, our pick for textured walls is the Scotch Concrete, Brick & Grout Painter’s Tape. This product from a renowned brand is specifically designed for this type of work, and it’s proven to be the best in this area.
