Scrim tape is a handy tool for both stagehands and contractors. It’s designed for the theater, but with a little ingenuity, you can put it to use in any number of ways.
10 Best Scrim tape for Stagehands
- NO-RES TAPE ®
This stuff isn’t permanent. It comes in rolls that are taken to your site and then cut to size. You can get it in white, which works well for flats but more often than not, the company recommends black for the theater because of its longevity. On the bright side, you don’t have to remember how old it is since once you’ve used a roll on a show, you can just replace it with something new.
2.ISO-ACOUSTIC TAPE
This is a heavy fabric tape made of a cotton-based, reflective material that’s used in the pro audio industry. And while you could use it for some stage applications, its intended purpose is to be used as a barrier between soundhouse walls to keep out the sound.
3.BACOUSTICS SCRIM TAPE
This product is basically like aluminum foil duct taped together in a long roll. It’s not flashy, but it’s great for blocking light. The company also offers rolls of different depths in an interlocking pattern that allows you to create whatever size scrim you want.
4.TENT TAPE
This is a cotton scrim that has been coated with a waterproof adhesive. It offers a little more water resistance than regular canvas scrim, and it works well for outdoors because it can be easily taken down and packed away without any special equipment . . . or cursing in the rain.
5.DECK TAPE®
This is a clear, heavy-duty scrim that helps cut down on the light you see onstage. It’s made for outdoor use, and it can be easily used for temporary rigging as well.
6.STRETCH TAPE®
This is a clear stretchy tape that has been made to replace canvas scrim curtains in sets where you don’t want the equipment to interfere with your set design. It’s priced fairly well and comes in rolls up to eight feet wide, so it’s good for any set.
7,HD ORANGE SCRIM TAPE
This is made of a heat-dissipating, fire-resistant material that’s coated with a bright orange adhesive on both sides. It’s great for blocking off light from areas that you don’t want it like the audience..
8.DUCT TAPE
This is a fairly heavy-duty, bright white fabric tape with a sticky back that does its job well. It can be used for both indoor and outdoor applications.
9.COTTON SCRIMDY
This is a reusable product made of cotton that comes in rolls up to about seven feet wide and can be cut to whatever length you need . . . very handy for any set . . . whether it’s indoors or out. The company also makes scrims in black, white and blue colors.
10.IRON-ON SCRIM TAPE
This is a brand of scrim tape that’s actually easy to use since it’s self-healing and doesn’t have to be hemmed to the stage after you’ve stretched it out. It also comes in white, black and blue.
Conclusion
Scrims have come a long way since the first one was made. They allow you to block out light, they’re reusable, they take up less room on your shelves and they’re relatively inexpensive.
The trick when it comes to scrims is to use them properly. It’s not enough to just throw them up there; you need to make sure that everything is centered and even if the lights are coming from both side of the stage, make sure that your gear posts don’t interfere with your set design.