What is Clear Tape?
Clear tape is any of a variety of adhesive tape strips available in various widths but which is transparent, commonly made of cellophane. Similarly transparent acrylic polymers can be used in clear tape manufacture and both varieties are backed on one side by a layer of adhesive glue or gum. Two-sided double-stick tapes are also sold for certain very specific applications, such as framing or for use with clear or invisible window insulation kits. Clear tape is generally sold with related office supplies and larger, heavier varieties are available as shipping and packaging supplies.
The trademarked Scotch Brand of clear tape, produced by 3M, is among the best known. The name, Scotch Tape, is often used to generically refer to any of the lighter clear tapes available for desk top use.
Available in rolls to supply refillable dispensers, or in hand held, one-use only disposable dispensers, clear tape is essential for taping paper to paper and thus is especially appropriate for gift wrapping. Heavier applications, such as packing require sturdier tape than the usual desk-top variety. Clear tape can be used for applications where the tape itself is invisible or nearly invisible, and thus it also offers the advantage of clearly displaying whatever is underneath it, such as printed information. As such, clear tape can act as a light protective lamination.
Other uses include mending torn paper documents or just about anything made of paper or cardboard, protecting ink or printed material from smudging or smearing, and reinforcing folded paper corners or creases.
Clear tape is a type of adhesive product that is common in many different settings. There are many things clear tape may be used for, including the repair of ripped paper, securing packaging and gift wrapping, among others. Clear tape can come in a variety styles, including simple clear tape and packing tape. Clear tape gets its name from the fact that when it is applied in a single layer, it can often be very hard to see. Some may also refer to it as invisible tape because there is often very little clue as to where the tape is. This makes it an ideal choice any time there is a desire for the material that will be underneath the tape to still be viewed. Most people likely first became familiar with clear tape when using it at school or while gift wrapping packages. This type of tape is often no more than one inch wide (25 mm). It often comes on a throw away tape dispenser with a serrated edge that allows for easy tearing of the tape. Just before the serrated edge is a level plain that
