Masking tape, also known as painter's tape, is a type of pressure-sensitive tape made of thin and easy-to-tear paper used to "mask" off areas that should not be painted. This new-fangled tape was invented in 1925 by 3M employee Richard Drew, who saw that auto body workers were peeling the paint off of cars they were painting when using standard tape. Touching up the damaged areas increased their costs, so Drew invented a tape with a gentler adhesive. Today, masking tape comes in all shapes, sizes, and adhesive strengths, depending on your particular job. So, before you get out those paintbrushes and spray cans, read on as we help you find the best masking tape for a professional finish. ScotchBlue Original Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape Get the BluesThis blue standby is the premiere masking tape for painters worldwide.Best OverallFind on Amazon When it’s time to get to work painting a room or an entire house, people have trusted ScotchBlue for almost a hundred years. Each 60-yard roll is designed to cover one 15′ x 15′ room, so this tape is both useful and economical. Its medium-adhesive rating makes it good for 14-day applications, and it won’t leave behind any sticky residue when removed. It’s also ultraviolet and sunlight resistant, so it’s perfect for masking off windows as well as baseboards, glass, tile, and lightly textured walls. Pros: One roll per pack Works well on drywall Sharp paint lines Cons: Not designed for hardwood or grout 14-day adhesion capacity is too much for some jobs Duck 1-Inch Blue Painter’s Tape Stick With the SavingsGet more bang for your buck with this convenient package.Best 3-PackFind on Amazon Just to clarify, this convenient package of masking tape is brought to you by “Duck” brand, but it is not “duct tape.” Duck’s three-pack is enough painter’s tape to cover three small rooms or a 45-square-foot room. Duck is slightly different from other painter’s tape in that it’s recommended for best results to remove the tape while the paint is still wet. However, if the paint has dried, you can score along the tape’s painted edge to avoid pulling back any paint as you remove the tape. Pros: Medium adhesion lasts 14 days Perfect for laminate baseboards Easy to tear Cons: Multi-packs available only in 1″ width Frogtape Multi-Surface Painting Tape A Leap AheadFor fine, detailed trim work, this is some of the thinnest masking tape you'll find.SkinniestFind on Amazon It’s not easy to find a masking tape under 1″ thick, but Frogtape hits the sweet spot. Frogtape is made with a patented PaintBlock Technology: a super-absorbent polymer that reacts with the water in latex paint to form a micro-barrier that seals the tape’s edges instantly. This prevents paint bleed and the need for touch-ups and results in crisp, clean paint lines every time. Frogtape comes in a recyclable and reusable container that protects the edges from dust and damage, ensuring the sharpest paint lines with every project. Pros: Made in the USA Available in a variety of widths Can be purchased in multi-packs Cons: Can be hard to use in high humidity Pull tape back parallel to the wall to avoid creating drywall spots Scotch General Use Masking Tape Old School's the Best SchoolSometimes, you just need a roll of good ol' masking tape.Best TraditionalFind on Amazon This option from Scotch is what we tend to think of when we hear the term “masking tape.” You remember — it’s off-white, about 1″ thick, easy to tear, and comes off pretty easily. If that’s what you’re looking for, that’s what you’ll get. The real difference between Scotch’s general use masking tape and the blue painter’s tape is the adhesive. This general use tape has a 3-day adhesive, whereas painter’s tape is generally 14-day. This means that this masking tape is especially good for DIY home projects and, of course, arts & crafts. Pros: Widely known, versatile product Available in three different widths 60 yards of tape in one roll Cons: Not optimal for painting projects Not best on rough surfaces Scotch Rough Surface Painter’s Tape Green ThumbThis heavy-duty painter's tape is perfect for work on brick, stucco, and concrete.Best StrengthFind on Amazon Tough surfaces require an equally tough tape. Scotch’s rough-surface painter’s tape is treated with a unique adhesive that secures the tape firmly to surfaces like grout, stucco, cinder block and wood, and is even recommended for use on lacquer coatings. Despite its strong 5-day bonding power, it peels off smoothly from surfaces, leaving behind no sticky residue, which also makes this tape perfect for creating guide lines on the floor of your business or school to indicate where to line up or walk. Pros: Green color distinguishes the tape from less-sticky blue Crepe paper easy to tear Fits on a 3″ core dispenser Cons: Do not use for painting on smooth surfaces Doesn’t stick well to brick Frequently Asked Questions What is the “rating” on masking tape used for? Masking tape — and most commonly, painter’s tape — is rated by how many days it can be kept in place without leaving adhesive residue on the surface it’s adhered to. 7-day and 14-day are the most common, though some are rated up to 60 days. The longer-rated tapes are typically less adhesive and are usually used on smooth surfaces such as vinyl wallpaper. Why is painter’s tape blue? The distinctive color makes it easier to see the areas you’ve taped and create straight lines, but it’s also an example of pure marketing genius. Like UPS Brown, 3M trademarked Scotch Blue Painter’s Tape’s medium-blue to set it apart from its competitors. I use painter’s tape, but the paint still leaks through the edge of the tape. What can I do? We feel your pain, and we’ve got a few pointers. Don’t stretch the tape as you apply it, as this can cause air bubbles and puckering, which causes paint to bleed under the edge. When it comes to the application, place the tape against the edge you want to cover, then pull out about 10 inches away from the roll. Hold the roll tightly against the wall, using it as a guide to place the tape in a straight line. Press down along the length of the tape with the index finger of your other hand. Seal the edge of the tape with a flexible putty knife, but don’t use too much pressure, or the tape will wrinkle or rip. When it’s time to paint, apply a thin coat along the tape’s edge to prevent any seeping or wicking. Related posts: The Best Dog Head Wraps The Best Dog Repellent Sprays The Best Dog Repellent Sprays