Preformed tapes are cold-applied, preformed pavement marking materials that are supplied in continuous rolls of various lengths and widths. Preformed tapes have the advantage over sprayed or extruded materials because they do not require expensive application equipment or experienced operators to place, and they require no drying or curing times. While tapes have a significantly higher initial cost than most other materials, the service lives are usually superior to most other materials, including thermoplastics, often making them a cost-effective choice in locations with high traffic volumes. A myriad of preformed tapes exist, although only a small number are described here. Preformed tapes should be installed according to TxDOT Specification Item .

Preformed tapes are frequently used for transverse markings, but are often used for longitudinal lines in high-traffic areas. Tapes are highly durable and abrasion resistant in most applications. Because of their high installation costs and slow application procedure, they are often used only in locations with the most severe traffic conditions that require frequent replacement of standard pavement markings.