What Is Floratape?
Floratape is a specialized tape for artificial flowers and horticulture, designed to secure artificial flower stems and bouquets.
Made from crepe paper, it is notably soft and elastic, with adhesive properties that strengthen when stretched. Primarily green to mimic natural stem colors, floratape comes in various shades of green as well as white, brown, and pink, catering to different design needs.
It is readily available at handicraft stores, home centers, and increasingly at dollar stores.
Uses of Floratape
Floratape’s applications include creating stems for artificial flowers, assembling bouquets, and floral arrangements. It os also effective for reinforcing or repairing fresh flower stems and securing stem-like wires.
Beyond floristry, floratape is utilized in crafting hair ornaments, boutonnieres, and accessories, with a selection of widths, colors, elasticity, and adhesive strengths to match various creative needs.
Features of Floratape
Advantages
Its glue-free design bonds through stretching and wrapping, making it user-friendly for beginners. The range of colors and widths allows for customized selection to match stem colors and arrangement styles.
Disadvantages
While its stickiness is a feature, it can leave a residue on hands or attract dust. To mitigate this, a less sticky variant of floratape can be chosen, or applying a light dusting of baby powder may reduce tackiness. However, applying powder before completion may affect the tape’s performance.
Types of Floratape
Floratape is available in a variety of widths, colors, elasticities, and adhesive strengths. Specific versions offer high water absorbency for fresh flowers or water resistance for preserved flower arrangements.
How to Select Floratape
Selection criteria include width, color, and functionality to suit the specific needs of your project.
1. Width
Use a standard 12 mm width for general arrangements, a thinner 6 mm for small flowers or accessories, and wider options for larger flowers or reinforcement for added stability.
2. Color
Choose colors that complement the stems or add desired accents. Starting with basic greens is a safe choice for beginners to avoid a mismatch.
3. Functionality
Consider elasticity, adhesiveness, and water properties based on the application. Opt for soft and stretchy tapes for ease of use and better adhesion. Select water-absorbent tapes for fresh flowers needing hydration and water-resistant tapes for preserved flowers.
How to Use Floratape
To use floratape, bundle the flowers without straining them and wrap the tape around while stretching it to approximately double its original length for optimal adhesion. Secure the top tightly and then roll downward to ensure a neat and durable finish.