Adhesive Tape

Need to send a package, wrap a gift, or simply stick some fallen pages from your old recipe notebook? No doubt, the first thing you reach for is tape, right?

Self-adhesive tapes, commonly known as tape, are invaluable helpers at home, at work, and anywhere something needs to be stuck quickly and reliably.

What is tape?

In the simplest terms, tape is a self-adhesive strip. The structure of the tapes consists of several layers, the two main ones being crucial. The first layer determines the strength of the tape (the thicker it is, the more resistant to pressure). The second, adhesive layer is also important because it determines how well the tape will stick.

There is no doubt that everyone needs tape occasionally. EM ART offers you a rich selection of adhesive tape. But did you know it has a fascinating history?

Why Do We Also Call Tape “Scotch”?

The self-adhesive tape was invented, (like most great inventions), by accident. In the 1930s, a young lab technician named Richard Drew was working at an American company. One day, Drew noticed that his colleagues were trying to paint a car in two colors but couldn’t separate the colors properly. To help them, he took a strip, coated both ends with glue, and helped them finish the project.

When they peeled off the tape, Drew’s colleagues noticed it came off very easily. It turned out that Drew had only applied glue to the ends of the tape to save on adhesive. Since Scots are known worldwide for two things – frugality and their whisky, Drew’s tape was named "Scotch."

Thus began the history of tape, which was "born" under the name Scotch. One of Drew’s responsibilities at 3M was to deliver sandpaper samples to local auto repair shops for testing. There, he often heard workers complain about the tape they used for painting.

At 23, Drew had the idea to create a new tape that would adhere tightly to prevent paint from bleeding while also peeling off cleanly, leaving no adhesive residue or bits behind.

Drew used the adhesive from 3M’s sandpaper production as a starting point for his project. It took him two years of experimenting with various adhesives and tapes to find the right combination finally. Thus, in 1925, Scotch, the tape, was born.

The success of Scotch Brand Masking Tape allowed Drew to climb the corporate ladder at 3M. In 1929, his position as technical director in the lab enabled him to develop another idea.

Cellophane had recently been invented by DuPont and was used by grocers and bakers for sanitary packaging of goods. However, there was no convenient way to seal cellophane with tape because the adhesive was on a colored backing, which ruined the appearance. Drew and his team developed a tape using transparent cellophane as the backing.

The new tape, Scotch Brand Cellulose Tape, initially struggled in the marketplace due to competition from DuPont’s heat-sealable cellophane. But despite this setback, Scotch tape flourished due to its wide range of household uses.

Why Is the Term "Tape" Used in Bulgarian? Why Not "Scotch"?

"Scotch" is also used, but "tape" is far more popular. This question has a short answer but opens up a broader topic. The word "Scotch," as a brand name, was used for self-adhesive tapes produced by 3M. Meanwhile, in Bulgaria, the term "tape" became dominant, largely due to trade relations.

What Is Tape?

Tape is a self-adhesive strip made of several main layers:

• The first main layer is the carrier (Backing material or carrier), which can be made from various polymers like BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene), OPP (unidirectionally oriented polypropylene), paper, or even fabric for special tapes.
• The carrier layer determines the strength of the tape under load. The thicker the carrier, the heavier the items that can be packed with that tape.

Tape commonly used for industrial and general applications is based on BOPP. It is not recommended to use low-quality tape for critical applications due to low resistance in both longitudinal and transverse directions, which can cause the tape to tear easily or peel off after a short period (commonly seen with tape made in China or other low-quality brands).

Another major layer in the tape structure is the adhesive layer. Adhesives used in tape production come in many types and bases. They can be generally categorized into:

• Adhesive based on synthetic rubber
• Adhesive based on natural rubber
• Water-based adhesive

High-quality tapes use synthetic or natural rubber-based adhesives, while water-based adhesives are low-quality, typically manufactured in Asia. In recent years, tapes with natural rubber have been gradually replaced by synthetic rubber due to various factors.

Unusual Uses for Tape at Home

Tape is among the most well-known office supplies with many common uses. Here are some unusual tape applications:

• If tiny crumbs under your keyboard bother you, use tape to clean them. Fold a piece of tape with the sticky side out and run it through the narrow gaps. The crumbs will stick and come out easily.
• Many people use lint rollers to remove pet hair from clothing, but if you run out, tape works just as well.
• When something glass breaks, tiny pieces may remain, which could be hazardous. To ensure you pick up every piece, press a piece of tape to the area, then remove it to catch any remaining shards.

Types of Adhesive Tape from EM ART

• Designer tape roller
• Reusable adhesive strips
• Velcro
• Set of mini tape cutter and decorative tape
• Self-adhesive pad
• Adhesive roller
• Binder tape
• and more!

Price Range

Find various types of tape at exceptional prices onprices EM ART. You will also find promotional products and bulk discounts of up to 70% off when purchasing wholesale from EM ART.

Why Choose Us?

EM ART offers a wide variety of hobby materials for your creative projects at accessible prices. All items are made from high-quality materials, with the convenience of shopping wholesale or retail, and discounts on many products.

Order and Delivery

Once you’ve placed your order, you will receive your package within a few business days at your specified address.

Orders can be placed every day.