The humble paper tape is one of those bits of kit that earns its place on every single job, regardless of scale. Strong enough to hold, easy to tear by hand, and — crucially — it comes away cleanly without leaving residue on cables, camera bodies, lenses, or set dressing. Available in 1″ width, it’s the go-to for labelling media cards, marking focus distances on a lens barrel, or keeping cable runs tidy and safe underfoot.

No kit bag or camera truck is complete without a few rolls. Pick some up alongside your hire and you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.