Making Lines with Painter’s Tape in 6 Easy Steps

Written by Alicia Silvestri

Shapes, stripes, lines, letters - that’s the power of painter’s tape! Here are 6 steps to getting the smooth lines you desire.

 
Painter's Tape Lines Smooth Perfect How To Step By Step
 

  1. INVEST in Quality Painter’s Tape

    That cheap store-brand painter’s tape ain’t cutting it. Try a reputable brand that will guarantee you won’t waste hours going back and fixing mistakes.

  2. DECIDE Between a Roller & a Brush

    Have lots of space to cover? Get a quality roller (with a rolling-pan and extra rollers) and make sure to watch your tape edges! For smaller spaces, brushes will be easier to control. Use a mix of the two for best results!

  3. AVOID Adding Too Much or Too Little Paint (Dab Away Globs!)

    Brushes are great for spreading out your paint, while rollers can be tricky when it comes to paint distribution. Make sure your paint is fully covering your canvas in a thin, even layer (don’t forget to check around your tape to make sure you didn’t miss any edge areas!).

  4. ADD Second Coat After 50% Dry

    You want a fully-saturated result that won’t require any touch-ups! Wait until the first layer is 50% dry before adding your second coat.

  5. LET Paint Dry 90% Of The Way

    DON’T make the mistake I’ve made of letting your paint dry fully before pulling off your tape!!! Remove tape while your paint is still about 10% wet. If you allow the paint to dry fully, then the tape might pull of chunks of all your hard work!

  6. PULL Off Tape Slow-and-Steady

    This part is the most satisfying, but it can get messy quickly! Start with an edge-piece of tape that doesn’t touch your canvas-area and lift it like you would a bandage on sensitive skin. Make sure the tape you pull off doesn’t accidentally touch your canvas and ruin your work! Crumple-up all tape immediately after removal. Don’t forget to take a video or boomerang of this part!

BONUS ITEMS:

  • Chalk String - Use this magic tool to create two pinpoints and connect them with a temporary chalk line!

  • Laser Level - Like the chalk string, only with a laser! Worth it for multiple projects that require level lines.

  • Ruler OR Measuring Tape - Feel better with numbers? Utilize a measurement system to guarantee the straightest lines possible!

There you go! Now you can transform your walls, furniture, and canvases with smooth, professional line-work! Damn straight.