Who Owns Scotch Brand?

The Scotch Brand story begins in 1925, when 3M engineer Richard Gurley Drew invented masking tape, a paper tape with a pressure-sensitive adhesive designed for use by auto body painters who needed to create clean paint lines on two-tone automobiles. The tape was developed to address a specific industrial problem: existing methods for masking paint lines were unreliable and left residue or failed to adhere properly. Drew's masking tape solved these problems and established 3M's entry into the adhesive tape market.

The "Scotch" name originated from an incident during the early masking tape development. According to 3M's company history, an auto body painter complained that the original masking tape had adhesive only on the edges, telling Drew to "take this tape back to those Scotch bosses of yours and tell them to put more adhesive on it." The term "Scotch" was a reference to the stereotype of Scottish frugality. 3M adopted the name, and it became one of the most recognized brand names in consumer products worldwide.

In 1930, 3M introduced Scotch Transparent Tape, the first transparent cellophane adhesive tape. The product used DuPont's newly invented cellophane as a backing material, combined with 3M's proprietary adhesive. Transparent tape addressed a consumer need that had not previously existed: a clear, strong tape for wrapping packages, mending torn paper, and general household repairs. The product quickly became a household staple during the Great Depression, as consumers used it to repair torn books, mend clothing, and seal packages.

Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Scotch tape became a ubiquitous household and office product. 3M expanded the product line to include different widths, dispensers, and formulations. The brand introduced Scotch Electrical Tape in the 1940s, expanding from consumer applications into industrial markets. During World War II, 3M's adhesive products were used in military applications, including sealing ammunition boxes and electrical insulation.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Scotch Brand continued to expand its product range. The brand introduced double-sided tape, foam mounting tape, and specialty tapes for specific industrial applications. Scotch Magic Tape, introduced in 1961, featured a matte finish that made it invisible on paper when written on, becoming one of the brand's most successful consumer products. The brand also expanded into packaging tapes, book repair tapes, and photo mounting products.

The 1970s through 1990s saw further diversification. Scotch Brand introduced removable mounting products, industrial-strength tapes, and tapes designed for specific markets such as construction, automotive, and electronics manufacturing. The brand's product line grew to include hundreds of specialized tape products for consumer, commercial, and industrial applications. Scotch Brand also expanded internationally, with 3M's global distribution network making the products available in over 100 countries.

In 2025, Scotch Brand celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking a century since the invention of the original masking tape in 1925. 3M commemorated the milestone with promotional activities and product anniversary editions. The brand remains one of 3M's most recognized consumer brands, alongside Post-it Notes and Command Strips, within the Consumer business segment.

As of 2026, Scotch Brand continues to operate as a core 3M consumer brand. The product line includes transparent tapes, masking tapes, packaging tapes, mounting tapes, double-sided tapes, and specialty tapes for craft, office, and industrial applications. The brand faces ongoing challenges from private label tape products and digital alternatives to paper-based office supplies, but maintains strong brand recognition and retail distribution.