Are you sprucing things up with a fresh coat of paint? Masking the ceiling and baseboards with tape is the first step to getting great results, but there are so many tapes to choose from! Is there a difference between masking tape and painter’s tape? And why are there so many varieties of painter's tape? If you want to avoid messy mishaps, stick with us to learn which tape to use. We’ll even share some tips and tricks for taping like a pro!

Are masking tape and painter’s tape the same?

Painter’s tape is a type of masking tape, but they're not the same.
Both standard masking tape and painter’s tape have a crepe paper backing that’s easy to tear, along with pressure-sensitive adhesive.However, they aren’t interchangeable. Masking tape has a much stronger adhesive than painter's tape.

Regular masking tape looks mighty tempting at about half the cost of painter’s tape. But if you're painting your house and don’t have time for sloppy setbacks, it’s better to pony up the cash to get good results the first time around.

Which type of tape should you use?

Choose painter’s tape when painting walls.
Painter’s tape is formulated to give you clean, sharp paint lines. The adhesive isn’t very strong, so the tape peels away easily without damaging your freshly-painted surface. Smooth!

Painter's tape also has a water-repellent backing that minimizes bleeding.
You can leave painter’s tape up for at least several days, making it a convenient choice for big projects (or, you know, big procrastinators)! In comparison, regular masking tape is difficult to remove, and the super-sticky adhesive can damage your drywall!
Standard masking tape doesn’t mask house paint well.