会社のニュース Why do they call it masking tape?

1. The "Masking" Part: Like a Mask in Theater or Surgery

Think of what a mask does:

• In theater, an actor wears a mask to cover their face, allowing them to assume a different character. The parts behind the mask are protected from view.

• In surgery or painting, a mask covers areas that need to be kept clean or untouched.

Masking tape works on the same principle. When painters are spraying or rolling paint onto a surface (like a car body or a wall), they use masking tape to cover—or "mask"—the parts that should not get paint on them. For example:

• The window trim when painting a window frame.

• The glass when painting a window pane.

• The tires and chrome details when painting a car.

Once the paint is dry, the tape is peeled away, revealing a perfectly clean, sharp, "crisp" line between the painted and unpainted surfaces. The area underneath was effectively "masked" from the paint.

2. The Historical Origin: A Solution for Auto Painters

The invention of masking tape is credited to Richard Drew of the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (which later became 3M) in 1925.

• The Problem: At the time, auto body shops were starting to paint two-tone cars, which was a very tricky process. They used a heavy, adhesive-backed tape or gummed paper tape that often damaged the new paint job when it was removed. The adhesive was too strong.

• The Innovation: Drew, who had previously invented the first masking tape for a different industry, developed a new paper tape with a lighter, less aggressive adhesive. This new tape was strong enough to stick and create a clean line but gentle enough to be peeled off without pulling up the fresh paint underneath.

• The Name: Because its job was to "mask" one section of the car while painting another, the name "masking tape" stuck (pun intended!).

Masking Tape vs. Similar Tapes It's easy to confuse masking tape with other types, but the key difference is the adhesive and the intended use:

• Painter's Tape: This is a refined version of masking tape. It has a gentler adhesive that is even less likely to leave residue or damage surfaces. It's often blue or green and is designed for more delicate painting jobs on walls and woodwork. All painter's tape is a type of masking tape, but not all masking tape is gentle enough to be called "painter's tape."

• Duct Tape: Made of a plastic-coated fabric with a very strong adhesive. It's for heavy-duty holding, sealing, and repairing—not for painting, as it would leave a terrible mess.

• Packaging Tape: Made of clear plastic with a strong adhesive, designed for sealing boxes.

In short: They call it "masking tape" because its original purpose was to act as a protective mask for surfaces during painting, a name that has endured for nearly a century.