3M Clear Tape

Choose a 3M™ transparent tape to fasten or repair items with tidy, low-profile adhesive strips. This brand offers a number of clear adhesive tapes with strong and long-lasting binding power. They have crystal clear backings that do not yellow with age. You can use these handy tapes to seal envelopes and shipping boxes as well as to hang items on the wall, wrap gifts, and attach pages together. Staples® carries a wide selection of 3M clear tape for home, school, office, and industrial applications.

Choose From Different Types of 3M Transparent Tapes
There are a number of benefits to using transparent tape. For one, they disappear against most backgrounds and make neater seals than colored tapes. Since they are clear, you can apply them to labels and printed text without hiding these from view. Single-sided clear tape is ideal for sealing cartons but you need a double-sided tape to attach two pages together or mount lightweight items on walls. While both types are photo-friendly, double-sided transparent tape completely disappears when used to mount printed photos.

3M offers both single and double-sided tapes in glossy and matte versions. Pick a roll with a glossy finish if you need to apply it to smooth and shiny surfaces. Matte tapes look better on textured surfaces and are also known as invisible tape since it blends in with its background easily. This brand also makes permanent and removable tape. While permanent tape has a stronger holding power, removable tape peels off cleanly and leaves no residue.

Enjoy the Superior Bonding Power of Industrial 3M Transparent Tapes
3M everyday transparent tapes are mostly for light-duty tasks. Besides these, the brand also makes industrial adhesives and tapes. Some of these are transparent while others are double-sided tapes for hidden installations. These heavy-duty tapes mostly use stronger rubber adhesives and have a higher resistance to abrasion, moisture, chemicals, UV light, and extreme temperatures. You can use them to seal, splice, and repair heavy items and irregular surfaces.

3M VHB™ (Very High Bond) tapes are strong enough to replace mechanical fasteners like screws and rivets in some applications. These special heavy-duty tapes can seal and bind metal, plastic, and glass parts together. They are double-sided acrylic foam tapes that can also protect hardware by acting as a shock absorber. While not transparent like clear tapes, they serve the same purposes: to be invisible and make tidy, impeccable seals.

Should You Consider Thickness When Shopping for 3M Transparent Tapes?
Yes. Thicker tapes are usually stronger than thinner ones. Manufacturers quote thickness in mil. A mil is one-thousandth of an inch. Most transparent tapes are 3 mils thick or thinner.

Can You Write on 3M Transparent Tape?
Yes and no. You can write on the brand's matte tapes with a pen, pencil, or marker. The glossy versions are too slippery and do not absorb ink well. However, 3M transparent matte tapes have backings that provide enough tracking resistance for gliding pen tips and also absorb ink.

Are There Special 3M Transparent Tapes for Wrapping Gifts?
Yes. Although you can wrap gifts with any of the brand's transparent tapes, 3M also makes special gift wrap tapes. These have a stain finish that is invisible against wrapping paper. If you are looking for decorative tapes for your gift boxes, choose one of the brand's glitter or metallic tapes.