Copper tape

What is copper tape used for? 7 practical uses

Written by the WRAPMEADOW packaging team — supplying UK makers since 2014 Last updated 3 June 2026

Copper tape is a self-adhesive strip of thin copper foil used as a slug barrier in the garden, for shielding guitars and electronics, for stained-glass work, and for a hundred craft and repair jobs. Because it is conductive and solderable, it does work that ordinary plastic or paper tape can't. This guide from WRAPMEADOW runs through the main uses and how to choose a width.

What is copper tape?

Copper tape is a roll of thin, flexible copper foil with an adhesive backing, used wherever you need a conductive, solderable or simply decorative metal strip that sticks down cleanly. The foil carries electricity along its length, takes solder, and moulds around curves and edges, so the same roll serves the gardener, the guitar tech, the stained-glass maker and the crafter. Our copper tape comes in five widths — 5mm, 10mm, 20mm, 24mm and 50mm — on roll lengths up to 25m.

A roll of copper foil tape beside a roll of kraft paper tape and a sealed kraft box — Self-adhesive copper foil tape — conductive, solderable and easy to apply.

In short: copper tape is adhesive-backed copper foil that conducts, solders and sticks down cleanly — which is why it works for the garden, electronics, glass and craft alike.

What is copper tape used for?

The seven most common uses for copper tape are slug and snail barriers, guitar and bass shielding, electronics and circuit work, stained-glass and Tiffany work, craft and decoration, model-making and repairs, and EMI/RF shielding. Each one relies on a different property of the same foil — the deterrent of a continuous metal band, the conductivity of the copper, or simply its bright, workable surface.

Slug & snail barrier — a continuous band around pots, beds and staging deters slugs and snails without pellets or chemicals.
Guitar & bass shielding — lining a pickup and control cavity with overlapping copper tape reduces hum and interference.
Electronics & circuits — a conductive, solderable track for low-voltage projects, paper circuits and prototyping.
Stained glass & Tiffany work — narrow tape wraps glass edges ready to solder into leaded panels and suncatchers.
Craft & decoration — a bright metallic line for cards, edges, planters and mixed-media art.
Model-making & repairs — quick conductive or decorative detailing and patch fixes.
EMI / RF shielding — lining an enclosure to screen sensitive electronics from interference.

In short: slug barriers, guitar and electronics shielding, stained glass, craft, model-making and EMI shielding are the seven jobs copper tape does best.

How do you use copper tape as a slug barrier?

To use copper tape as a slug barrier, wrap an unbroken band around the object you want to protect and make sure nothing bridges it. Clean and dry the pot rim, raised-bed edge or greenhouse staging leg, then press a continuous strip of copper tape all the way around with the ends overlapping — any gap gives slugs a way through. Keep overhanging leaves trimmed back so they can't form a bridge over the band. A wider tape such as 24mm or 50mm gives a band a slug can't easily cross.

In short: press a continuous, overlapping band of wide copper tape around a clean, dry rim and stop leaves bridging it.

Which width of copper tape should I choose?

Choose your copper-tape width by the job: narrow for fine work, wide for coverage. Fine 5mm and 10mm tape follows tight curves and edges for stained glass and detailed craft; 20mm and 24mm are versatile all-rounders for shielding and general use; and 50mm is the one to reach for when you want maximum coverage and an unbroken slug band. All five widths share the same conductive, solderable foil — only the coverage changes.

Copper tape width to best use — all five widths share the same conductive, solderable foil.
Width	Best use
5 mm	Stained glass, fine craft and tight curves
10 mm	Stained glass, edging and detailed craft
20 mm	All-rounder — guitar/electronics shielding and general use
24 mm	All-rounder — shielding, repairs and narrower slug bands
50 mm	Slug & snail barriers and lining larger surfaces

In short: 5–10mm for glass and fine craft, 20–24mm as all-rounders, 50mm for slug barriers and lining large surfaces.

Frequently asked questions

Does copper tape stop slugs and snails?: Yes. A continuous band of copper tape around a plant pot rim, raised bed or greenhouse staging acts as a slug and snail barrier. The theory is that the metal reacts with the slime to give a tiny deterrent charge; in practice an unbroken strip wide enough that the slug can't bridge it is the key. Use a wider tape (24mm or 50mm) and keep the band continuous with no leaves bridging it.
Is copper tape conductive and solderable?: Yes. This is solid copper foil tape, so it conducts electricity along the foil and can be soldered. That is what makes it suitable for guitar-cavity shielding, stained-glass came work and low-voltage electronics and circuit projects, as well as decorative craft.
Is the adhesive on the copper tape conductive?: Yes — the adhesive on our copper tape is electrically conductive, so a soldered or overlapped joint carries continuity across the seam. That matters for shielding and circuit work, where you want the whole copper surface acting as one connected layer rather than isolated strips.
What width of copper tape should I buy?: Match the width to the job. Narrow 5mm and 10mm tape suits stained glass, fine craft and tight curves; 20mm and 24mm are good all-rounders for shielding and general use; and 50mm is best for slug barriers and lining larger surfaces where you want maximum coverage and an unbroken band.

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