Pressure-sensitive describes a distinct category of adhesive tapes which in dry (solvent free) form are aggressive and permanently tacky at room temperature. During production, the adhesive is coated directly onto a release liner or a facestock/carrier. A release liner can be added. The adhesive is coated in wide width roll form, typically up to 1000 or 1500mm wide, and later sold in tape roll form to be converted into various widths, shapes and items, alone or laminated to other materials.
 

Pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) tapes adhere to a variety of surfaces by the pressure of a finger or hand. They require no activation by water, solvent or heat and have sufficient cohesive strength so they can be handled with the fingers.
 

PSA tapes can consist of four basic components:
1) a carrier 2) an adhesive 3) a release coating and 4) a liner.
The choice for each component must be considered carefully when choosing the right tape for an application.