How Route Setting Tape Is Made

Route setting tape is made from woven cotton cloth.  This tight cotton weave makes it easy to tear and prevents it from unraveling.

After the fabric is woven, it is dyed to a specific color.

This dyed fabric is coated on one side with a petroleum-based synthetic adhesive and on the other side with a “release” coat that keeps the tape from sticking to itself so strongly that it can not be unrolled.  This release coat is combined with a transparent thin vinyl coating that gives the tape its water (and sweat) repelling characteristic and makes it easy to wipe clean.

Once the colored fabric is coated on both sides, it is rolled into large rolls called “jumbos” that resemble rolls of carpet.

The final part of the manufacturing process of route setting tape is called “converting”.  This is when the tape is slit to specific widths (route setting tape is 1 in. in width).  Once it passes through the slitter it is wound onto cardboard hubs and packed in cartons for shipping.

Link to route setting tape specifications

Material Safety Data for route setting tape