We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Stationery Tape?

Mary Elizabeth
By
Updated: Feb 17, 2024
Views: 12,002
Share

Stationery tape is the tape commonly found in offices for general purpose use. It is also known as cello, cellophane tape, or sticky tape. This kind of stationery tape is used for repairing torn paper, putting together paper projects and posters, sealing envelopes, and arts and crafts, among other uses.

Stationery tape is sold in a variety of different ways. First, it may be marketed in a disposable dispenser that is not capable of being reloaded. It can also be sold in sets of rolls to be loaded into a permanent dispenser that is made to take refills, but is purchased separately from the tape. Such a dispenser comes with a core on which the roll of tape is mounted. Either of these dispensers includes a special blade for cutting the tape.

Stationery tape comes in a variety of widths. The most common widths include ½ inch (12.7 mm), ¾ inch (~19 mm), and 1 inch (~25 mm). The tape is mounted on a core that is usually 1 or 3 inches in diameter (~2.5 cm or ~7.6 cm). If the tape is bought for a permanent dispenser, it is important that both the core size and the width be a good match for the dispenser to work properly.

Stationery tape may also be sold as pre-cut strips. These become available one at a time from a specially designed dispenser, which is refillable. The tape strips are ¾ inches by 2 inches (~19 mm by ~51 mm). This product may be safer for children for whom the cutting blade on the standard tape dispenser might prove to be a hazard, and may also prevent wasted tape.

There are three finishes frequently found in stationery tape: transparent, translucent, and matte finish. The transparent finish is clear and glossy and forms a permanent bond. Cheap stationery tape tends to be translucent and glossy, rather than clear, and may yellow with age. Tape with a matte finish is virtually invisible when applied to paper and does not show up on photocopies. It forms a permanent bond and can be written on using pen, pencil, or marker.

A separate kind of stationery tape that comes with the same core sizes and widths, but has a specialized application, is matte-finish removable tape, which does not provide a permanent bond and is therefore ideal for works in progress — whether business or artistic — when placement is not yet final.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary Elizabeth
By Mary Elizabeth
Passionate about reading, writing, and research, Mary Elizabeth is dedicated to correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to writing articles on art, literature, and music for WiseGeek, Mary works as a teacher, composer, and author who has written books, study guides, and teaching materials. Mary has also created music composition content for Sibelius Software. She earned her B.A. from University of Chicago's writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By WaterHopper — On Jan 14, 2011

@momothree: In 1930, a man by the name of Richard Drew was employed at 3M. He came up with the idea of a waterproof covering for railroad refrigeration cars. His idea to add adhesive to cellophane didn’t work for the refrigerator cars. However, it was a hit as a moisture-proof seal for packages.

This product continued to develop over the years. In 1939, the first hand-held Scotch tape dispenser was put on the market by 3M. In 1945, they created double sided tape and in 1961, Magic tape was created. Magic tape is the kind that has a matte finish rather than a glossy finish and it appears virtually invisible on most surfaces.

By momothree — On Jan 12, 2011

Who invented Scotch tape and when?

By StormyKnight — On Jan 10, 2011

@wesley91: Scotch tape is, indeed, stationery tape. “Scotch” is just the name brand of cellophane tape. This tape came to be during the Great Depression. People did not have money to spare and they were able to make simple repairs with this cellulose tape.

By wesley91 — On Jan 08, 2011

Is Scotch tape the same thing as stationery tape?

Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Passionate about reading, writing, and research, Mary Elizabeth is dedicated to correcting misinformation on the...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-stationery-tape.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.