5 Masking Tape Hacks Every Artist Should Know

Most people think of masking tape as something you’d find in a toolbox, not an art kit. But for painters, this inexpensive and unassuming supply can be surprisingly powerful. It’s easy to use, endlessly versatile, and can save both time and frustration in the studio.

Here are five clever ways artists are using masking tape to make their painting process easier—and sometimes even more fun.

1. Clean, Crisp Edges

One of the most obvious but satisfying uses of masking tape is creating perfectly straight, sharp edges. By taping off the borders of watercolour paper or blocking out sections of a canvas, artists can paint freely without worrying about uneven lines. As long as the tape is pressed down firmly, the paint won’t bleed underneath. Once peeled away, the reveal is always crisp and satisfying.

2. Unique Shapes and Textures

Masking tape isn’t just about neatness—it can also be used creatively. Tearing it into rough strips leaves jagged, organic edges, while cutting it into stars, circles, or other shapes allows for quick stencils. By painting directly over the tape and peeling it away after, artists are left with striking highlights, textures, or abstract patterns that would otherwise take much longer to achieve.

3. Protecting Areas While Painting

Sometimes a section of a painting needs to stay untouched while the rest is developed. In these cases, masking tape works like a shield. For example, when painting a sky, placing tape along the horizon allows for loose, expressive brushstrokes without worrying about overlapping into the landscape. Once the tape is removed, a clean, sharp horizon remains.

4. Quick Fix for Mistakes

Even the most careful painters occasionally slip outside their lines. When this happens, masking tape can be a quick rescue tool. By gently pressing a piece of tape onto a wet paint spot and lifting it up, much of the pigment can be removed. While it may not erase the error completely, it often reduces it enough to save the painting.

5. Unexpected Brush Hacks

Masking tape isn’t limited to paper—it can also be used on brushes themselves. Wrapping a small strip around a brush handle can improve grip, while pinching the bristles with tape temporarily changes their shape, creating firmer or rougher strokes. It’s a simple solution that gives artists more control without needing special tools.

Final Thoughts

Masking tape may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about art supplies, but it proves that creativity often comes from the simplest tools. Whether it’s for keeping borders sharp, experimenting with textures, or even saving a painting from a small mistake, this everyday item has a place in every artist’s kit. Sometimes, it’s the little hacks that end up making the biggest difference in your creative process.

✨ Next time you sit down to paint, try out one of these tricks—you might just discover a new favourite technique.

Prefer to Watch?

If you’d rather see these masking tape hacks in action, check out our step-by-step video on YouTube. Watching the tape peel to reveal clean edges and unexpected textures is oddly satisfying—and it might just inspire you to grab a roll and experiment for yourself!

Watch the video here