Drafting Tape, also known as "the second most useful tape in the world", is similar to duct tape in that is has a wide variety of uses, but differs in several key areas.

1. Drafting tape is not nearly as strong as duct tape
   Duct tape
   Duct tape, or duck tape, is cloth- or scrim-backed pressure sensitive tape often sealed with polyethylene. It is very similar to gaffer tape but differs in that gaffer tape was designed to be cleanly removed, while duct tape was not. It has a standard width of and is generally silver or black...
   
    or Gaffer Tape
   Gaffer tape
   Gaffer tape, gaffer's tape, gaff tape or gaffa tape is a strong, tough, cotton cloth pressure sensitive tape with strong adhesive properties. It is used in theater, film and television productions as well as during live performances and any other kind of stage work...
   
   ; it will break with minimal effort, and is not waterproof.
2. Drafting tape is easily removable, even from delicate surfaces like paper. It does not leave a sticky residue when it is removed. This is the main reason engineers and architects use this kind of tape in their blueprint
   Blueprint
   A blueprint is a type of paper-based reproduction usually of a technical drawing, documenting an architecture or an engineering design. More generally, the term "blueprint" has come to be used to refer to any detailed plan....
   
   s.
3. Drafting tape is also relatively low-odour compared to other types of tape. Its odour is similar to electrical tape
   Electrical tape
   Electrical tape is a type of pressure-sensitive tape used to insulate electrical wires and other material that conduct electricity. It can be made of many plastics, but vinyl is most popular, as it stretches well and gives an effective and long lasting insulation...
   
   , but less rubbery and more papery. Many people find the odour pleasant, or at the very least, unobtrusive.

Drafting tape is nearly identical to "masking tape

Masking tape

Masking tape is a type of pressure sensitive tape made of a thin and easy-to-tear paper, and an easily released pressure sensitive adhesive. It is available in a variety of widths. It is used mainly in painting, to mask off areas that should not be painted...

" and "painters tape", the main difference is width. Painters tape is the widest, averaging about 2½ inches(approx. 6.4 cm), while masking tape and drafting tape are less than half that width.

While the obvious use of drafting tape is for drawing, drafting tape can also be used for label

Label

A label is a piece of paper, polymer, cloth, metal, or other material affixed to a container or article, on which is printed a legend, information concerning the product, addresses, etc. A label may also be printed directly on the container or article....

ing and hanging posters. Its neutral cream coloring goes well with many other colors, and it can be written on easily with any felt-tipped marker. In addition, drafting tape costs less than conventional labels, and its low cost also makes it more forgiving of errors.