TinyTape: Gaffer and Camera Tape Small Enough to Fit Inside a Standard Roll

Every crew member has a tape problem. You want black and white gaffer on you all day, plus a few colours of camera tape for marks and labels, but full size rolls are big, heavy and bulky. Hang three or four off a belt or harness and you feel it by lunch.

TinyTape fixes that. It is proper gaffer and camera tape wound onto a roll so small it fits inside the core of a standard roll of gaffer. You get the colours you need on your hip without the weight and bulk of carrying full rolls.

How small is TinyTape?

This is the whole point of TinyTape, so it is worth looking at the numbers.

A standard roll of gaffer is usually wound onto a 3 inch (about 76 mm) cardboard core, and the full roll is much wider than that across. A TinyTape roll is about the same size as that empty core. In other words, a whole TinyTape roll fits where the hole in the middle of a normal roll would be.

Don't just take our word for it. Here's a roll of TinyTape Camera Tape sitting inside the empty core of a standard roll.

Why the size matters on set

• Space on your belt or harness. A full size roll takes up a lot of room on a tape strap or carabiner. TinyTape rolls are small enough that you can carry several colours in the space one big roll would take.
• Less weight, all day. A full kit of TinyTape (black and white gaffer, plus yellow, blue and pink camera tape) weighs about 624 g in total. A single standard 48 mm x 40 m roll of gaffer weighs around 730 g on its own. That means you can carry all five TinyTape colours for less than the weight of one full size roll.
• Fits in a pouch. Camera tape in particular lives happily in an AC pouch, a chest rig or a jacket pocket.
• Every colour, every time. Because the rolls are small, there is no need to choose between colours before you leave the truck. Bring all of them.

The trade off is length. Each TinyTape roll has 10 m of tape, so for big rigging days or long cable runs, keep a full size roll on the cart. TinyTape is for the tape that lives on you: the quick fix, the mark, the label, the cable you need to hold down right now.

Black and white gaffer tape on set

TinyTape Gaffer Tape is 50 mm wide with a matte cloth finish and removes clean without leaving glue behind. It comes in black and white, and each colour has its own job.

Black gaffer tape

• Hiding things in frame. Black disappears into shadows and dark surfaces, so it is the go to for anything that might end up on camera.
• Taping down cables. Hold cables to the floor or along a wall so nobody trips and nothing gets pulled.
• Killing reflections and logos. Cover shiny trim, chrome, brand logos or reflective surfaces that are catching light.
• Blacking out light. Cover indicator LEDs on gear, fix light leaks on flags and doors, or trim a spill of light.
• Quick repairs and rigging. Secure a flag, hold a gel in place, close up a bag or keep a loose cable tidy.

White gaffer tape

• Labelling. White is easy to write on and stands out on black cases, cables, stands and road cases.
• Marking dark floors. Marks and boundaries on a dark stage or studio floor are easy to see.
• Working on light coloured sets. On a white cyc, a white wall or a pale set piece, white tape is far less noticeable than black.
• Safety in low light. Mark steps, edges and cable runs so people can see them in a dark studio.

Coloured camera tape on set

TinyTape Camera Tape is 19 mm wide, made from writable fluorescent cloth, and comes in yellow, blue and pink. It removes clean, so it is safe to use on cameras, lenses and gear.

• Talent marks. Lay a T or a small cross on the floor so actors hit the same spot every take. Use a different colour for each actor so nobody steps on the wrong mark.
• Focus marks. Focus pullers mark distances on tape on the lens or follow focus, then write the number on it.
• Labelling gear. Label batteries, media cards, lenses, cases and cables. Write a date, a charge status or a camera name on it.
• Colour coding cameras. On a multicamera shoot, give each camera its own colour and tape its batteries, media and accessories to match. Kit stops getting mixed up.
• Marking cables. Tape both ends of a cable in the same colour so you can tell which run goes where.

The fluorescent colours make a real difference when the lights go down. Marks and labels are much easier to find in a dark studio or on a night exterior.

Why different widths matter

Tape width is not just preference. Each width suits a different job.

• 50 mm gaffer covers a lot of area in one strip. That is what you want for holding cables down, covering a logo, sealing a light leak or securing anything that needs real grip. More width means more adhesive in contact with the surface, so it holds better.
• 19 mm camera tape is made for precision. It fits on a battery, a media card, a lens barrel or the marking ring of a follow focus, and leaves room to write. A narrow strip also makes a neater floor mark and wastes less tape.

Using the right width saves tape, looks tidier and gets the job done faster. Carrying both on your belt means you always have the right one to hand.

Matte finish vs glossy tape

TinyTape Gaffer Tape has a matte, non reflective finish. On a film or TV set, that matters more than most people expect.

• No reflections. Glossy tapes like duct tape or vinyl electrical tape catch light and throw highlights back at the lens. Matte tape absorbs light, so it stays invisible in frame.
• Easier to write on. A matte cloth surface takes a marker cleanly. Glossy plastic tape smudges and smears.
• Tears by hand. Cloth gaffer tears cleanly across the roll without scissors or a knife.
• Clean removal. Gaffer tape is designed to come off without leaving residue behind, unlike many glossy duct tapes that leave a sticky mess on floors, gear and props.

As with any tape, test it first on delicate surfaces such as fresh paint, wallpaper or antiques.

TinyTape accessories

TinyTape also makes a small range of accessories to keep your tape where your hands already are.

Dangle Deluxe

The Dangle Deluxe is a large carabiner that clips onto your belt, bag strap or rig. A braided cord threads through the core of your TinyTape roll and holds it snug, so you can tear off a strip without unclipping anything. Each one is handmade, so every Dangle Deluxe is slightly different.

Dangle Kit

The Dangle Kit lets you build your own tape carry. It comes with two Tiny Carabiners, a paracord pinch buckle and 1 m of black paracord, so you can set it up to suit a belt or a chest pouch.

Tiny Marker

The Tiny Marker is a 92 mm permanent marker with waterproof ink and a quick release cap. It is small enough to carry with your tape, so you can label a mark the moment you lay it down.

Tiny Carabiner

The Tiny Carabiner is a 40 mm D shape carabiner with a wire gate. Use it to clip a roll, a marker or small bits to a belt loop, pouch or bag. It is for carrying accessories only and is not rated for climbing, rigging or holding loads.

Price guide

• TinyTape Gaffer Tape (black or white): $19.95
• TinyTape Camera Tape (yellow, blue or pink): $19.95
• Dangle Deluxe: $49.95
• Dangle Kit: $14.95
• Tiny Marker: $4.95
• Tiny Carabiner: $4.95

All prices are recommended retail prices in Australian dollars, including GST.

Frequently asked questions

Is TinyTape real gaffer tape?

Yes. It is the same type of matte cloth gaffer tape crews use every day, just on a much smaller roll with 10 m of tape.

Does TinyTape leave residue?

TinyTape is made to remove clean without leaving glue behind. As with any tape, test it first on delicate or freshly painted surfaces.

What is the difference between gaffer tape and camera tape?

Gaffer tape is wider and made for holding, covering and securing. Camera tape is narrower and made for labelling and marking. TinyTape Gaffer Tape is 50 mm wide, and TinyTape Camera Tape is 19 mm wide.

Can I write on TinyTape?

Yes. Both the gaffer and camera tape take a marker. The Tiny Marker is made to go with them.

How long is a roll of TinyTape?

Each roll holds 10 m of tape.

Where to buy

TinyTape is distributed in Australia by Black Flag Distribution. We support our valued specialist retail partners and prefer that you purchase through them wherever possible: use the store finder to locate your nearest authorised dealer. If you would rather buy direct, we can also facilitate your order.

Shop TinyTape Gaffer Tape and TinyTape Camera Tape, or email sales@blkflag.com.au with any questions.