Gaffers Tape Instead of Adhesive Tape? Here’s Why That’s Not A Good Idea

Almost anyone who has worked on a theatre or concert stage or had a job on a film set has used gaffers tape for a quick bandage to deal with a cut or scrape.

While this may work fine for stopping the bleeding, there are a number of characteristics that make adhesive tape much better for the task, and some of them are not obvious.

While both products are made from cotton cloth, the surgical adhesive tape uses hypoallergenic fibers.  Gaffers tape does not.

Adhesive tape is porous, giving an injury some exposure to the air.  Gaffers tape is often used to create waterproof seals and it is not porous.

Finally, while most gaffers tape uses synthetic (no natural rubber) adhesives, some do not.  Any tape made with natural rubber could cause an allergic reaction to someone who was allergic to latex.

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