Best painter's tape

Crisp paint lines are possible with painter's tape. Painter's tape is a handy adhesive guide that manages mess and provides professional-grade precision.

best painter's tape
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The best painter's tape will ensure that your paint job is neat and splash-free. A color change is fun, but for a truly professional finish, you'll need to tape off windows, the ceiling, and anywhere you want a perfectly sharp finish to your paintwork. The best painter’s tape is simple to apply, restricts bleed-through, and removes cleanly. To kick-start your next project, we’ve assembled the best paint-corralling options.

Our top pick is the strong yet easy-to-remove Scotch Blue Original Multi-Surface Painter's Tape. Read on to discover more of our favorites. 

Best painter's tape

(Image credit: Amazon)

Scotch Blue Original Multi-Surface Painter's Tape

For an effortlessly professional finish

This medium-adhesive tape does the job really well – and is easy to remove afterward.

Pros:

  • Works on multiple surfaces
  • Easy to remove
  • UV-resistant

Cons:

  • Applicator is not the best

Define accurate paint lines with this mess-saving painter's tape by Scotch. You can stick this versatile tape to multiple surfaces, including lightly textured walls, trim, and tile, to keep paint at bay. This medium-adhesive tool secures to your paint border, providing optimum protection. The tape can be easily removed, following two coats of your favorite paint color. It will separate cleanly, up to 14 days, for crisp lines and a professional look. This painter's tape is also resistant to UV rays and sunlight. A variety of size options are available to accommodate the dimensions of your home improvement tasks.

Best for sharp edges

(Image credit: FROGTAPE)

FROGTAPE Multi-Surface Painter's Tape

Zero bleeding with this awesome tape

The patented paint-block technology guarantees razor-sharp edges with this tape. 

Pros:

  • Ensures paint doesn't bleed
  • Can be used in direct sunlight
  • Multi-surface

Cons:

  • Works best with latex paint

Don't have a steady hand? No worries. This Frogtape painter's tape makes precise lines attainable for your next DIY project. The bright green tape shields cured painted walls, wood trim, glass, and more to keep paint lines true, no matter the surface. It features patented paint block technology, which prevents bleeding because the absorbent polymer treatment reacts with water and latex paint to make a micro-barrier. This sticky essential adheres with medium strength, designed to protect without residue for 21 days indoors or 7 days in direct sunlight. Bear in mind that to get the benefit of the paint block, you need to use this with latex paint. 

Best multi size option

(Image credit: XFasten)

XFasten Professional Blue Painter's Tape

Crisp lines in the width you need

This painter's tape will ensure your paint finish is even – great for awkward corners and delicate surfaces. 

Pros:

  • Forms a barrier to stop bleeding
  • Can be used on textured walls
  • Several sizes

Cons:

  • Doesn't stay on as long as some others

Chisel crisp paint lines with the resistant barrier XFasten painter's tape can create. This set of three rolls keep your project precise and tidy with a total of 60 yards of support. The bright blue tape safely adheres to a variety of surfaces including wood trim, textured walls, porcelain, and metal. This durable painter's tape has staying power; it sticks to surfaces for up to 60 days, even in direct sunlight. It also resists humidity and moisture. Several size options are available to meet your painting needs. 

Best for long-term adhesion

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IPG ProMask Blue 14-Day Painter's Tape

Will stay on for two weeks

This tape will protect your surfaces for up to 14 days – even in direct sunlight. 

Pros:

  • Multi-surface
  • Clean removal
  • Stays on for up to 14 days

Cons:

  • Can be difficult to get it to stick

You can tape off perfect lines with IPG's easy-stick painter's tape. This clean-removing tape safeguards surfaces from blotches, bleeding, and rogue strokes. It clings with a pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive seal, securing to unfinished wood, wallpaper and more for 14 days without residue. Go ahead, confidently paint indoors or outdoors with the security of this useful painter's tape, available in several different size options. It does stay on well – but you need to make sure you've pressed it on hard and like you mean it, or it will come off. 

Best for delicate surfaces

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Scotch Delicate Surface Painter's Tape

Your best friend for intricate painting jobs

Whether you're painting furniture or wood floors, this tape will be strong yet gentle. 

Pros:

  • Safe on delicate surfaces such as wood
  • Will stick for up to 60 days

Cons:

  • Not suitable for use in direct sunglight

Intricate lines are achievable with this gentle painter's tape. It ensures your personal painterly touch is achieved without harming delicate surfaces like wood floors, wallpaper, veneers, and cabinets. Edge-Lock technology offers a steadfast seal to provide clean, unblemished paint lines. The easy adhesive makes it perfect for planning unique design features, like a patterned accent wall, to give your place more pizzaz. It'll safely stick to surfaces for 60 days without damage or residue. Various sizes and package options are available to inspire your home updates.

Our verdict

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You don't have to perfect your painting technique with the help of painter's tape. Painter's tape is the best line-defining assistant when it comes to accurate and professional painting results. This tape offers a resistant barrier that prevents bleeding and keeps your surfaces clean. The Scotch Blue Original Multi-Surface Painter's Tape is our first choice when it comes to precision painting. It easily protects a variety of surfaces including lightly textured walls, baseboards, and tile. It secures to these surfaces with ease and without damage or residue for 14 days.

If you're looking for a tape option that is designed to support longer-duration projects on delicate surfaces, then the Scotch Delicate Surface Painter's Tape is a great choice. It sticks to various surfaces, including wood trim and porcelain, for up to 60 days. 

Staff Writer

Amy Kaspriskie loves words, often arranging handfuls to pen creative content for Future’s websites, like this one. She has over seven years of experience professionally authoring copy, primarily in the e-commerce realm, with specialties in home, fashion, beauty, and entertainment. You should also note that this speech-savvy lady lives for puns, alliteration, and (of course) the Oxford comma. When not feverishly typing, Amy is giving her beloved canine and roommate, Teddy, all the pets.