If you are a genealogist, family archivist, artist, collector, or museum professional, you might have run into the problems that using the wrong kind of tape can cause. But tape can be a useful tool in an archive if it is an archival tape such as our Filmoplast Tapes.
Most tapes are not archival. Over time they tend to yellow and become brittle. They also have a tendency to stain or leave adhesive on things. Unfortunately, people often use non-archival tapes to make repairs on photos, documents, and books. The clear tape might look fine at first, but over time ends up looking like the photo above.
If you have something like the above photo in your collection that you want to save we recommend contacting a trained conservator. If that is outside your budget you could reach out to a retoucher who can work wonders on digital files of damaged photos.
Why Filmoplast Tapes?
All of the high quality Filmoplast Tapes Archival Methods offers are pH-neutral / acid-free (click here to see our blog on the definition of acid-free), non-yellowing, and will not deteriorate over time. The adhesives are also water-based, which makes them reversible under most circumstances. “Reversible” means the tape can be removed by a conservator and that no residual adhesive will remain on the document or print.
The Filmoplast tapes come in a variety of styles. Some are best suited for mending pages and documents while others are ideal for hinging artwork or for repairing book bindings. See the list of applications below to find the Filmoplast tape that’s right for you. You can also call or email us with any questions you may have, as we’d be happy to walk you through it!
Types of Filmoplast
Archival Methods offers 4 types of Filmoplast Tapes, each designed for different purposes and applications. On the Filmoplast page on our website use the red rollover icons for details about each type that we offer. These include:
Filmoplast P
Filmoplast P is a thin, transparent tape ideal for mending torn documents and book pages. It also comes in handy for hinging artwork done on lightweight paper, as the hinge won’t show through. This tape is so thin that it can be hard to get it started. It’s even hard to tell which side is the tape and which side is the backing. Here’s a video about getting it started.
Filmoplast P 90
Filmoplast P 90 is a self-adhesive white paper tape perfect for hinging artwork and repairing book bindings. The long-fibered structure of this material makes it durable and tear-resistant, and provides a secure means to hinge even larger artwork. Filmoplast P 90 comes in two convenient widths 3/4″ wide x 164-feet long for smaller hinging or repair jobs and 1-5/8″ x 164-feet long for larger hinging or repair jobs.
Filmoplast P 90 Plus
Filmoplast P 90 Plus is specifically designed for fine art hinging. The adhesive used is a refined version of that found in the original P 90, and provides better bond strength, all while retaining the same stable aging characteristics the entire Filmoplast line is known for. Filmoplast P90 Plus comes in a roll 3/4-inch wide x 164-feet long, with the an easy-to-use dispenser box.
Filmoplast SH and Filmoplast T
Filmoplast SH (white) and T (black) are self-adhesive fabric tapes with a strong adhesive. They are ideal for hinging window mats to their backing boards due to their archival properties and long-term strength and stability. They also work well for repairing the exterior binding of books. Filmoplast SH (white) comes in a roll that is 1.2-inches wide x 82-feet long / Filmoplast T (black) comes in a roll that is 1.2-inches wide x 33-feet long.
Important Notes: If you have a valuable book – either monetarily or sentimentally valuable, as mentioned above – you may wish to consult with a conservator (please click here for more information) before attempting any major repair work on your own. We also do not recommend applying either of these fine tapes directly to artworks because of the strength of the adhesive makes “reversing” them a bit more difficult (use Filmoplast P 90 or P 90 Plus instead).
If you’re looking for just the right acid-free tapes for your hinging and repair projects, please consider using museum-quality Filmoplast Tapes. They’re just right for many archival applications, and will give you and future generations the peace-of-mind that your work was done right!
Resources
Product Specifications:
Filmoplast Data Sheet (PDF)
Videos:
How to Peel Filmoplast P Tape
Filmoplast P 90 Tape with Built in Cutter
Post Updated: July 22, 2026
