Adhesives are simple tools in the office that often go unnoticed—until you desperately need them. Offices rely on adhesive tapes and tack for mounting posters, documents, notices, and the like. In classrooms, teachers use them to display visual aids and other learning materials. Warehouses, trades, and construction sites depend on them for sealing, securing, and marking surfaces.
What Adhesive Tapes and Tack Are
Adhesive tapes use a backing material, such as paper, plastic, cloth, foil, or foam, coated with an adhesive that bonds to surfaces with light pressure. Depending on the job, tapes can offer a temporary hold, a permanent bond, or added protection against moisture, heat, or wear. There are two common types of adhesive tape:
- Single-sided tape, which has adhesive on one surface only
- Double-sided tape, which has adhesive on both surfaces
Adhesive tack works differently: it’s a soft, reusable putty that keeps photos, maps, calendars, and collectables in place. It can be repositioned repeatedly, making it a favourite in offices and classrooms that frequently need to update notices, posters, staff memos, learning materials, or temporary signage.
Where to Use Adhesive Tack
Tack works well on painted walls, whiteboards, cabinets, glass, filing cabinets, and other surfaces where punctures or adhesive marks are not acceptable. Because it leaves no residue and does not damage surfaces, adhesive tack like Blu Tack is a suitable alternative to push pins or thumb tacks, especially in areas where displays are changed often.
Common Types of Adhesive Tape and Their Uses
Not all tapes are designed for the same job. These are the most common options used across offices, schools, warehouses, and retail spaces.
1. General Purpose Tapes
General-purpose tapes include office tapes, masking tape, and duct tape. These tapes are handy when you need a quick and easy fix without specialised tools.
- Office tape is suitable for light repairs, sealing envelopes, or attaching paper documents.
- Masking tape works well for quick labels or temporary bundling. It tears easily by hand and works well on paper, cardboard, and smooth surfaces.
- Duct tape offers stronger adhesion, making it ideal for patching, reinforcing, or sealing materials around the office or workshop. Recommended for making temporary repairs.
- Gaffer tape is a multipurpose, waterproof tape that tears easily by hand. Heavy-duty and long-lasting, gaffer tape offers extra-strong adhesion and is well-suited for everyday repair needs.
- Strapping tape is made from polypropylene with a non-staining natural adhesive. Commonly used on white goods and other surfaces where it’s important not to leave adhesive residues.
- Invisible tape has a matte finish that makes it easy to write on with a pen or marker. Typically used to mark paper documents, such as indicating where to sign or highlighting important sections.
2. Packaging Tape
Packaging tape is essential for workplaces that often ship or store items. Designed to create a strong bond on cardboard and plastic surfaces, packaging tape holds up well during transit and handling. Aside from sealing mailing boxes and parcels for shipping, packaging tape is also used for bulk and heavy shipments due to its durability. Some options include:
- Natural rubber packaging tape, ideal for standard and recycled cartons
- Kraft packaging tape, a paper-based choice for eco-conscious workplaces
- Packaging tape with acrylic adhesive, for long-lasting adhesion on standard cartons
3. Double-Sided Tape
Double-sided tape is used when a neat, invisible bond is preferred. Ideal for mounting posters, lightweight signage, and decorative displays without visible tape lines, this kind of tape is also recommended for attaching conference materials and installing temporary directional signs.
In schools, double-sided tape can be used for classroom displays. Some durable double-sided tapes can be used for painted plasterboard, finished wood, metal, acrylic, tile, or glass surfaces. Other heavy-duty, double-sided mounting tapes can also be used to attach heavy objects to uneven or textured surfaces such as ceramic tile or wood.
4. Electrical Tape
Heat-resistant and non-conductive, electrical tape is designed specifically for insulating wires and protecting electrical connections. IT teams use it to organise cables, secure loose wiring, and colour-code setups in server rooms or AV equipment hubs. Maintenance and facilities staff also use it in areas exposed to heat or moisture, where ordinary tapes may degrade quickly.
5. Cloth Tape
Cloth tape is durable, tear-resistant, and conforms well to irregular shapes, making it useful for bundling, bookbinding, colour coding, and temporary repairs. This kind of tape has a strong rayon backing and often includes a waterproof polyethylene coating that helps seal out moisture.
6. SafetyTape
Safety tape enhances visibility and helps prevent accidents in the workplace. Anti-slip variants add traction on steps, ramps, and high-traffic areas. They help prevent accidents and guide movement in busy environments. In industrial environments, floor marking tapes are used to mark aisles, passageways, and storage locations. Barrier tapes can also be used to mark hazards, restricted areas, spills, or temporary obstructions both indoors and outdoors.
When to Use Tapes vs. Tacks
While both tapes and tacks support mounting and display needs, each kind is better suited for specific situations.
Tapes are generally better for smooth, hard surfaces where you want a clean look without visible fasteners. They work best for posters, labels, signage, and repairs on glass, metal, plastic, and finished wood. Double-sided and clear office tapes are preferable in instances where aesthetics matter, or where displays need to stay flat and uniform, such as meeting rooms, reception areas, and showroom walls.
Adhesive tacks, on the other hand, are the better choice for porous or soft surfaces such as cork boards, acoustic panels, fabric partitions, or cardboard displays. Because they can be removed and repositioned easily, tacks are better where displays are more frequently updated.
