TPU elastic tape — sold in the trade as Mobilon tape, clear elastic or transparent elastic tape — is a transparent elastic band extruded from thermoplastic polyurethane rather than woven from latex or spandex. Typical production ranges are 0.08–1.0 mm thick and 3–50 mm wide, with stretch ratios from 1:1.5 to 1:3. This guide explains what the material is, why the five-step extrusion process decides batch consistency, and how six common series differ in resin origin, recovery and heat resistance. It converts stretch ratio into cut-length arithmetic, separates TPU from latex elastic on the three points that change a sourcing decision, and closes with eight buyer questions covering sewing, needle detection, washing and quote comparison.

Elastic tape lead time is four durations, not one: sampling, approval, pre-production, and bulk delivery.

How much elastic tape does one garment use? Measure the seam, apply a factor, convert with grams per metre, then cost the garment in four steps.

"Mobilon" is a trademark that became a trade name. Here is what the term means, what the tape is made of, and why the name is a poor substitute for a specification.