Double-sided tape is one of those inventions that makes you wonder how you ever got along without it. The versatile adhesive can be used for a variety of purposes, both professional and DIY. This comprehensive guide will discuss the types of double-sided tape available, their various uses, and the Tape Jungle tapes best suited for each job!
What Is Double-Sided Tape?
Double-sided tape is a popular tape that has an adhesive layer on both sides. Its popularity is due to its ability to stick two surfaces together easily.The adhesive and the ribbon can be made from different materials, giving the tapes varying adhesion and flexibility.
Uses of Double-Sided Tape
The tape's versatility makes it perfect for many jobs. Industrial uses include:
- Attaching soundproof panels to floors and walls
- Bonding signs and graphics together
- Waterproofing seams in homes
- Securing temporary carpeting to floors
- Splicing and tabbing in paper mills
The tapes used for most of these purposes rely on significant tensile strength and powerful adhesives.
Double-sided tapes used for crafting are very different from those used to waterproof a home, some of which are weather-resistant. But they're still plenty impressive. You can use double-sided tape with a range of projects, such as:
- Mounting photographs and posters
- Paper crafting, like card making and scrapbooking
- Creating greeting cards
- Making decorations for parties and events
- Keeping pieces of fabric or seams together while sewing
Try using double-sided tape to add layers or textures to projects. You can even sprinkle glitter over it to give your project a little razzle-dazzle.
How To Apply Double-Sided Tape:
Double-sided tape is easy to use — just peel off the backing and apply it to the surfaces you want to stick together. Be sure to press down firmly so that the tape sticks well.
If you want to remove the double-sided tape from a surface, you may need to heat the adhesive with a hairdryer or scrape it off with a butter knife. You can often get rid of any sticky residue with household cleaners, oil, or a solution of vinegar and water. Choose the cleanser that will be most gentle on the surface underneath.
Types of Double-Sided Tape
There are many types of double-sided tape: permanent and removable tapes, foam-backed tapes, cloth-backed tapes, etc. Pick the one best suited to your needs.
Double-Sided ATG Tapes
Three of the most common double-sided tapes are all adhesive transfer gun (ATG) tapes:
- Standard ATG Tape— often used for general mounting purposes such as pictures and nameplates.
- Professional ATG Tape— also used for mounting but has a higher adhesion and tack than the standard ATG tape.
- Heavy Duty AGT Tape— used for challenging bonding projects. It has a very strong holding power and quick tack.
To use any AGT tape, you will need an ATG tape dispenser.
Double-Sided Carpet Tape
Conventions and trade shows often use carpets to create nonslip walkways. However, the carpets can be hazardous if they slide around and must be secured. You will want to invest in high-quality carpet tape to prevent people from tripping and falling during your next convention.
Double-coated exhibition carpet tape is used extensively in this industry to temporarily hold down carpets at events. This tape is excellent for high-traffic areas and won't leave a residue.
Double-Sided Fabric Tape
Double-coated polyester fabric tape offers a more long-term solution for securing various types of flooring, such as carpet, vinyl, rubber flooring, and gym flooring. It is easy to tear and adapts to many shapes. In addition, the high adhesion offers excellent tack to many surfaces.
This tape is best used as a permanent solution for securing carpets in high-traffic areas. It has both home and business applications.
Double-Sided Crepe Paper Tape
Double-sided crepe paper tapes use a rubber-based adhesive that bonds well to most papers, films, and fabrics. They are also great at holding wood cuts and leave little to no residue.
The Best Double-Sided Tape at Tape Jungle
In any industry, a workman is only as good as their tools. Tape Jungle stands behind the following high-quality products.
Alanson Products Double-Coated Scrim Tape
This double-coated tape has excellent bonding power and high tack levels, making it perfect for nearly any material, even difficult surfaces such as foams and some films. With water resistance and UV damage protection, this product can be used in demanding professional environments such as construction sites where temperatures may skyrocket during the summer.
Available widths include:
- 3/8 in (9 mm)
- 1/2 in (12 mm)
- 3/4 in (18 mm)
- 1 in (24 mm)
- 1.5 in (36 mm)
- 2 in (48 mm)
- 3 in (72 mm)
- 54 in (1371 mm)
Roll lengths vary accordingly.
Alanson Products also makes heavy-duty and extra-thin versions.
Alanson Products Double-Coated Exhibition Carpet Tape
This product is a cotton-polyester blend cloth coated on both sides with a natural rubber-based adhesive. It's often used in aircraft manufacturing plants and at conventions and trade shows. It leaves no residue when removed from a surface, and some employment contracts even mandate the use of it or a similar product.
You can buy it by the roll, sub-pack, or case. Widths include:
- 1 in (24 mm)
- 1.5 in (36 mm)
- 2 in (48 mm)
- 3 in (72 mm)
- 4 in (96 mm)
- 60 in (1524 mm)
Available colors are blue and natural.
Alanson Products Polyester Fabric Tape
This two-sided fabric tape has been designed to give an excellent bond on a variety of surfaces. It's ideal for carpets and flooring, as it offers high adhesion levels and flexibility.
Widths include:
- 1/2 in (12 mm)
- 3/4 in (18 mm)
- 1 in (24 mm)
- 1.5 in (36 mm)
- 2 in (48 mm)
- 3 in (72 mm)
- 4 in (96 mm)
- 54 in (1371 mm)
Alanson also makes a stronger polyester fabric tape with more adhesive and greater temperature resistance.
Alanson Products Double-Coated Polyester with Differential Adhesion
The high-tack/low-tack acrylic adhesive system is perfect for projects where you want only one side of the tape to be easily removable. You might use it for removable stickers and labels, resealable pouches, or frequently changed displays.
You can purchase it in widths of:
- 1/4 in (6 mm)
- 3/8 in (9 mm)
- 1/2 in (12 mm)
- 3/4 in (18 mm)
- 1 in (24 mm)
- 1.5 in (36 mm)
- 2 in (48 mm)
- 3 in (72 mm)
- 4 in (96 mm)
- 54 in (1371 mm)
If you want similar adhesive properties on both sides of the tape, Alanson Products also makes a range of other polyester tapes. Some use pure acrylic adhesives, giving the tape additional weather resistance, while others use a more fragile but aggressive rubber.
Alanson Products Double-Coated Crepe Paper Tapes
Like most Alanson Products' double-coated tapes, these work well on many surfaces, including mounting rubber, woodcuts, and plastic plates.
Tape Jungle carries two Alanson double-coated crepe-paper tapes:
- Double-Coated Crepe Paper Tape 6.0 Mil— with a rubber-based adhesive with a tensile strength of 16 pounds per inch.
- Double-Coated Crepe Paper Tape 7.0 Mil— with a hot melt rubber adhesive with a tensile strength of 21 pounds per inch.
These tapes are available in widths of:
- 1/4 in (6 mm)
- 3/8 in (9 mm)
- 1/2 in (12 mm)
- 3/4 in (18 mm)
- 1 in (24 mm)
- 1.5 in (36 mm)
- 2 in (48 mm)
- 3 in (72 mm)
- 4 in (96 mm)
- 6 in (144 mm)
- 54 in (1371 mm)
Most widths can only be purchased by the case.
Alanson Products Double-Coated Polyester PVC Tape
This is the double-sided tape of choice for bonding trims in the automobile industry and similar applications. The strong PVC provides exceptional UV, temperature, aging, and water resistance and uses a 5-mil, modified acrylic adhesive.
Widths include:
- 3/8 in (9 mm)
- 1/2 in (12 mm)
- 3/4 in (18 mm)
- 1 in (24 mm)
- 1.5 in (36 mm)
- 2 in (48 mm)
- 3 in (72 mm)
- 4 in (96 mm)
- 39.4 in (1000 mm)
If you want a still-more permanent option, you can buy a 9-mil version.
T-Tak Extended Liner Tape
The extended liner tape uses a synthetic rubber adhesive and delivers superior performance on heavier-weight papers and boards. A tissue carrier allows the tapes to be easily torn by hand, making it perfect for uses such as promotional displays or mounting signs and nameplates.
At Tape Jungle, we carry rolls in both hand-grade and machine-grade lengths.
Available in widths of:
- 1/2 in (12 mm)
- 3/4 in (18 mm)
- 1 in (24 mm)
You can order individual rolls or bulk double-sided tape.
Your One-Stop Shop for All Your Tape Needs
Tape Jungle offers a comprehensive range of double-sided tape. Whether you need a strong double-sided adhesive or one that can be easily removed, there's something available. We also have a range of other products, including single-faced, specialty, and custom tapes. So, whatever you need to get the job done, Tape Jungle has it all!
Contact Tape Jungle for more information about the double-sided tapes we have in stock. Our friendly and knowledgeable professionals can help you decide what tape and accessories you need for your business or next project.