Masking tapes, along with duct tapes are probably the most known generic tapes known to the human race.  We’ve used general purpose masking tape to fasten our early childhood artwork or that glow-in-the-dark poster to the wall.  Usually we associate masking tape to the tan colored, crepe paper backed tape that is easy to tear by hand.   While these consumer masking tapes are very common, there are many other automotive, electrical, industrial and military applications for masking tape.

High temperature paper masking tapes are used in the automotive market to mask off areas ready for painting.  If the automobile and tape will be held in an oven waiting for the paint to dry, the masking tape adhesive must withstand the oven heat in order to provide a clean release from the car surface.  Fine line masking tape, made from PVC, polyvinyl chloride, films and clean release adhesives can be formed and curved whereas paper is stiffer and usually used for straight runs. 

In the powder coating industry, polyester film tapes are used to mask off a surface before coating.  In the electronics marketplace, during construction of electronic circuit boards, polyimide masking tapes are applied to gold plated contacts to protect them during the wave soldering process.  A wide variety of backings and adhesives are combined to create masking tapes for every application.