The Best Tapes for Watercolor Paper for 2023

With watercolor paintings, masking the paper edges is among the essential parts of preparation. Yet, we should not use regular tapes, as they can be too sticky and end up ripping the paper when peeled. Meanwhile, blue tapes are not compatible with wet surfaces, thus unable to work with soaked and pre-stretched paper.

We can see that random products in the market cannot be our best tape for watercolor paper. So, after testing various pieces, here’s the shortlist of twelve products that meet our requirements. Dig in to explore your best options available.

Best Tape for Watercolor Paper Reviews

1. Art Advantage Paper Tape

Our first pick, the Art Advantage Gummed Paper Tape, is among the reliable accessories to keep watercolor sheets from unwanted bleeding.

This product is a water-activated tape, which works when in contact with water. So you can easily activate its adhesive by wetting its bottom side with a sponge or a dispenser. Hence, this one is perfect to use with watercolor paper that we often soak before painting.

Once activated, the piece sticks well to your painting sheets, as it forms a firm bond to the surface. You should not worry that it might peel off too soon while you are in the middle of work. In truth, its adhesion is resilient enough to stay put on unfinished smooth wooden boards.

When exploring this one’s function, I realized that its other side could absorb ink without smearing. So I was guaranteed a clean board without smears after taking this tape off the finished painting.

Plus, you can utilize this product for an extended time as it measures 82 feet. And with its 2.8-inch width, masking large paintings is a breeze.

2. Mr. Pen Masking Tape

In my opinion, convenient use is the best attribute of the Masking Tape Roll from Mr. Pen. With this piece, we can expect quick and clean applications for watercolor paintings.

The most common use of these rolls is labeling cases and bottles made of different materials. In other words, it is a versatile product that sticks well on numerous surfaces, be it concrete walls, wooden boards, plastic bottles, and especially paper. Hence, you can rely on the tape to keep the edges of your painting from color smears.

For the concern that tape removal can ruin the paper, this masking roll is the solution. Such an issue will not occur with the product as it is made for breezy peeling. Notably, you will find no ugly residues after taking the tape off, ensuring a sleek and clean look for your artwork.

Acids found in adhesives would be another thing that we should be aware of, as it releases acid gasses and threatens to ruin the paper over time. Luckily, this product is formulated without acid, thus allowing us to preserve our work from discoloration and other damages accelerated by the harmful chemical.

I also find this purchase is a real bargain as it comes in a package of three at a low price. Such amount translates to 450 feet of masking tape for use in labeling and holding.

3. Pro Art White Tape

If you want a premium-quality product with excellent features, look no further than the Pro Art White Artist Tape. Its adhesive is applicable on almost any surface you want to mask and label.

From my experiences, this piece works like a charm on watercolor paper. In truth, its glue is formulated to stick well on display boards, thus adhering to different paper types is not challenging.

Yet, what surprises me is how the tape does well on other art materials such as dry media. You can confidently use them for charcoal and chalk drawings to enjoy the strong adhesive and clean removal. Staying true to the brand’s promise, this one indeed “takes all forms of writing”.

If you prefer pure white tape to go with your watercolor paper, this product is the perfect pick. But the remarkable thing is, in case you want to explore more color options, this one is available in black, blue, yellow, red, etc. Artists can enjoy all kinds of hues that match their tastes.

The roll tape contains no acid in its formula, ensuring no discoloration or texture weakening for your paper in the long term. Thus, you can enjoy 180 feet of this 1-inch tape for important work without worry.

4. 3M Safety Scotch Tape

Most of us are familiar with 3M Safety and their wide ranges of premium tools for workers. And this Scotch Artist Tape is among their great adhesive products for painters.

A watercolor tape should prevent the paint from seeping under the paper and smearing its edges. Fortunately, this one can cater to such needs with its secure glue. Once stuck to the sheet, the tape holds on tightly without stringing.

But that does not mean the piece will damage the paper texture when getting peeled off it. In contrast, this tape allows easy repositioning during painting and removal after your work is completed, as it is a low-tack artist tape.

Such a sticky yet flexible glue’s use is not limited to watercolor paper or any kinds of paper only. Many users find it handy on metal and plastic surfaces, perfect for labeling and marking stencils, artboards, and other objects made of said materials.

Another great feature of this scotch tape is its photo-safe adhesive. That means the direct contact of its glue on your art sheets does not leave acid on the surfaces. As a result, your artwork can be in good condition for a long time.

5. Art Alternatives White Tape

After being through many iterations of masking tapes, I settled for a product from Art Alternatives for a while. This Economy White Artists Tape truly stands out from the rest for its thickness and adhesion.

Right on the first use, you can see that it is not among the flimsy pieces that let go after several hours of sticking. This one, in truth, stays securely on your watercolor paper until getting removed.

Most users purchase this artist tape to stick their photos on frames or mirrors. And the surprising thing is that it does not leave residues when being taken off. The piece does not damage or stain their photos. Hence, you can rest assured that this tape can keep your paper edge clean when removed after your artwork is finished.

Furthermore, if you intend to use this product for other writing media besides watercolor, it will also work well. Just make sure its dimension, measuring 0.75 inches wide, meets your requirements because some users prefer broader pieces. Plus, it comes with a total length of 180 feet, providing abundant tape for various applications.

6. Looneng Paper Tape

Another option for a water-activated roll is the Looneng Gummed Kraft Paper Tape. Its extra length and tenacious glue can support our work on another level.

This product can stretch your watercolor paper to be tight as a drum. I had the chance to experience such an impressive result, and I am sure you will be amazed by the tape’s adhesive, too. For artists that often soak and pre-stretch their paper before painting, this one should be in their arsenal.

As you might already know, gummed tape requires moisture to activate its adhesion property. That means you can use a sponge or dispenser to wet it before sticking the piece to your painting boards. To remove it afterward, make sure to dampen this water-soluble piece again for breezy detaching.

Besides, this product scores big time as a recyclable paper, making it the ideal replacement for PVC adhesive rolls. Thus, you can contribute to environmental protection by utilizing tapes made of renewable natural resources like this one.

This tape might be aesthetically pleasing with the brown shade on white paper, yet its quality is premium. Users can take advantage of its functions for various purposes, including tamper-proofing, photo framing, or packaging.

7. ProTapes Pro Masking Tape

The ProTapes Pro Drafting Masking Tape is a tack industry-grade product ideal for oil and watercolor paintings. With its special adhesive formula, we are guaranteed comfortable creation experiences.

When looking up this recommendation from my friend, I found some qualifications of the product that convinced me to try it out. The piece meets ASTM standard for pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, proving its quality in masking and packaging purposes.

After a while of use, I am impressed by how this watercolor tape resists high temperatures, water solvents, and oils. With such features, the product ensures no seeping and leaking colored paints during our masking performances.

What’s more, users are free of worry about repositioning and removing the tape when needed. This is possible due to its unique formula that allows temporary holding onto paper. Plus, it leaves little to no residue when being taken off your sheets, thus ensuring your artwork is clean.

I also love available options of its width, ranging from 0.5, 0.75 to 1 inch. Based on your current needs, you can pick a suitable size. Yet, whichever piece is your final choice, it will come with 180-foot tape for prolonged use.

8. WOD CFTC6 Console Tape

With the WOD CFTC6 Console Artist Tape in hand, you will no longer suffer from unfortunate situations like your painting paper getting ripped off along with the masking tape.

First-timers go for this product as it is a breeze to utilize, ensuring no unwanted incidents. All you need to do is hand-tear and stick the piece to the designated areas on your sheet.

What makes this tape suitable for watercolor paper painting must be its secure hold yet easy removal. The product can afford no damage to the paper texture and ruin your precious work. Also, rest assured that there are no ugly or sticky stains left on the surface afterward.

Besides, I appreciate its multiple color options as I am fed up with brown tape on my paintings. The brand introduces five shades, including bright red, yellow, orange, light blue, and white. These color variations also come in handy when we mark our stuff with this tape.

If you are still wary of trying this watercolor paper tape, please know that the brand offers a risk-free purchase. In detail, you will get a 100% refund upon dissatisfaction with the product quality.

9. Mr. Pen Colored Tape

Besides choosing paper that can handle masking, you can opt for an easy-to-remove tape to ensure no wear and tear. In that case, the Mr. Pen Colored Masking Tape is among the practical options.

This collection will greet you with no dull or plain shades. Instead, you can get six pieces in bright colors, including red, yellow, orange, pink, blue, and green. Either we use them for watercolor painting, labeling, or crafting; such a cheerful assortment will indeed put a smile on our faces.

Besides, each tape is 45 feet long, offering extended use with an extra total length. If you intend to mask small artwork, its 0.6-inch width can be ideal. Otherwise, I am afraid that such a size might take you longer to finish masking larger ones.

Apart from that, the adhesive of masking tape is what makes it valuable to artists. And I am glad this product’s firm hold is sufficient for professional use. It securely sticks to the sheet without curling and wrinkling. And when the job’s done, we can remove it without tearing the paper or leaving ugly residues.

10. HIPPIE CRAFTER Artist Tape

Hippie Crafter is well-known for its Resin Kit Art. Not until I tried this product that I knew they also make superb Artist Tapes.

For your information, this piece can be responsible for making crisp masking lines in your watercolor painting. It adheres well to the surface without signs of wrinkling, thus ensuring that no paint will seep underneath and smear the lines.

While performing the masking technique, we might make mistakes and hope to modify the tapes. In such cases, this product shines the best for its repositionable feature. Worry not, as it does not leave sticky stains on the paper and make it hard for you to paint afterward.

Another incredible feature about this artist tape must be its extra length. It sounds crazy enough that this three-piece pack provides us with a total of 540-foot tape for various applications. As a result, we have sufficient amounts for photo mounting, framing, watercolor paper masking or labeling, etc.

Like any premium tape designed for artwork preservation, this one contains no acid in its adhesive. You should know that the brand has its products tested to meet trade-secret standards. Thus, working with high-end paper using this tape is indeed worry-free.

11. Nova Supply Pro-Grade Tape

Nova Supply takes pride in its Pro-Grade Masking Tape for its no-residue feature. After trying the piece for several applications, I can attest to its fantastic use on shiny photos and watercolor canvas.

I find out that this masking tape is crepe paper, known for its thinly coated surfaces that allow easy stretching. With the combination of such material and sufficient adhesion, the product ensures easy removal without ruining the sensitive paper texture or removing watercolor paint.

Furthermore, it is a breeze to hand-tear this tape and apply it to the paper. Hence, you can comfortably tailor and arrange the piece to fit specific shapes for your masking purposes.

Knowing that we have different requirements about masking areas, the brand offers two options for the product width. You can go for the 1-inch or 2-inch piece to complete your work with minimal modification.

Other things like affordable price and responsive customer service make this tape my favorite pick. If you are not sure about purchasing a huge amount, you can try one or two rolls first. You can always return to get your money back if not satisfied.

12. Molshine Natural Tape

Usually, we do not use Washi tape for masking watercolor paintings. But the Molshine Natural Color Washi Masking Tape proves to be suitable because of its adhesion.

I find it hard to resist such a beautiful collection of adhesive tapes. Each piece comes with nice color blending patterns that surely motivate our DIY projects. Thus, this product is widely used for decorative applications like bullet-journaling, note-taking, and more.

Yet, due to their incredible adhesive, these washi tapes can serve as a masking tape for watercolor artwork. Once cut and applied to the paper, it sticks well without sudden peeling before our tasks are finished.

I was also pleased when tearing this tape away from the paper edge and seeing no adhesive residues left. It is an important feature that allows artists to continue working with the masked areas without cleaning the paper surfaces.

The great news for first-time buyers is the money-back policy. The brand really goes out of its way to stand with its product quality and ensure a satisfying experience for the customers.

What to Look for When Buying Tapes for Watercolor Paper

For a watercolor paper that requires soaking and pre-stretching, gummed paper tape is the best choice. This product is a strong paper roll featuring permanent adhesive on one side and regular paper on the other side. It comes with a unique adhesion property that sticks well on wet surfaces. This piece will help to stretch your paper tight as a drum.

Other than that, you might ponder over artist tape vs masking tape to choose a suitable one for your watercolor paintings. To compare these two, we should mention residues left after easy removal and some other features.

First of all, the masking tape is a quick-use product, meaning we glue it on a short time before tearing it off the surfaces to avoid ugly stains. This type of tape functions well with its secure hold, yet we suggest you do not leave it too long on your sheets.

On the other hand, artist tape is ideal for paintings, as it does not create residues after being lifted off the paper. You should not worry about its removal ruining the texture or watercolor paint. Plus, this type of tape does not pucker or buckle when being painted over, as it absorbs the solvents well.

Besides the type of tapes, users should also be aware of the product’s formula, whether it contains acid or not. A pH-neutral piece will prevent the paintings from deteriorating effects caused by acids, such as discoloration or paper texture wear over time.

Furthermore, the tape dimension is another essential point that determines if a piece is ideal for our current work. Make sure you pick the one that is wide enough to cover the designed masking space on your paintings. Do not forget to check out the tape length to ensure the investment is valuable for long-term use.

The tape color might seem like a trivial factor, but it depends on different people’s tastes. You should know that gummed paper tape often comes with a brown shade, so maybe do not expect beautiful colors from this type. Yet, artist, masking, or washi tape can feature exotic patterns and vibrant colors for your likings.

Can You Use Washi Tapes on Watercolor Paper

Washi tape is designed for decoration purposes, and it is often thin and narrow. Furthermore, its adhesive is not as impressive as scotch tapes or masking rolls formulated to resist water-based paints. So I recommend you stick to those specified products instead.

Yet, you can still use washi tape for watercolor painting as long as the areas are small, and you will be extra careful not to let the paint seep under the tape. There are some tutorials and tips on Youtube for first-timers. They might be helpful if you insist on trying.

How Do You Tape Watercolor Paper

Mounting or taping watercolor paper is a breeze if you have your scissors, a ruler, and tape with you. After measuring the paper dimensions, straighten the piece and start cutting the tape to cover around 0.25 to 0.5 inches of the paper edges.

With gummed paper tape, you can activate its adhesion property by wetting the piece with a dispenser or sponge before sticking it to the paper surface. And with other types of tapes such as artist, masking, and washi tape, you only need to tailor its length and size to your requirements.

Conclusion

I find it enjoyable to pick accessories for watercolor paintings like watercolor brushes. So, I hope you can read this article with much joy as I had when writing it.

Also, choosing the Best Tape For Watercolor Paper is a breeze if you know which features to look for and what type of sheets you will use. Besides tape for watercolor paper, you can refer to glue for paper crafts, they also good choices. Hopefully, after checking out the recommended list above, you already have in mind the ideal option. Have fun with your endeavor!

Robert S. Brown

I am a former art teacher, so it is evident to me the importance of art in educating the new generation. We also want to help parents who plan to teach their children and desire the best tools and tips for them.