Three Styles of Plaid Nail Art — Stripe Tape
Dab Gel Tutorial

Master three chic plaid and gradient nail art styles using stripe tape and dab gel for clean, professional lines at home.

Steps

1. 1Apply striping tape diagonally

   

   Using tweezers, carefully place thin striping tape diagonally across the nude nail surface to section off the pattern. Press down securely to prevent any gaps where gel could bleed underneath.

   Tip: Make sure the tape lines are spaced evenly to create a balanced plaid look.
2. 2Press striping tape flat

   

   Firmly press the striping tape down flat against the entire nail surface, ensuring all edges are tightly sealed. Proper adherence is crucial for achieving clean, sharp lines when applying product.

   Tip: Run a silicone tool or your finger gently over the tape to eliminate any lifting edges.
3. 3Dab white gel over the tape

   

   Take a sponge tool loaded with white dab gel and gently dab it across the taped nail surface. Build up the color smoothly to achieve an opaque texture over the exposed sections.

   Tip: Use a light tapping motion rather than dragging to avoid shifting the striping tape.
4. 4Remove first set of tape

   

   Using tweezers, gently peel away the first set of diagonal striping tapes from the nail. Pull slowly and steadily at an angle to reveal the clean lines underneath.

   Tip: Peel the tape off while the gel is still wet or semi-tacky to prevent chipping the dried edges.
5. 5Apply reverse diagonal tape

   

   Apply a new set of striping tape across the nail in the opposite diagonal direction to intersect the existing lines. This cross-hatch structure forms the basis of the classic plaid design.

   Tip: Maintain consistent spacing with the previous layer to keep the grid symmetrical.
6. 6Dab white over second tape layer

   

   Use the sponge tool to dab white gel color over the new cross-hatch tape arrangement. Ensure coverage is even across all visible intersections.

   Tip: Lightly dab excess product on a palette first to avoid creating thick blobs on the nail.
7. 7Peel off the tape strips

   

   Carefully peel away the remaining striping tape from the nail surface to reveal the clean, defined brown plaid pattern underneath. Take your time pulling the tape at an angle to ensure the gel lines remain sharp and undisturbed.

   Tip: Peel the tape slowly while the gel is still tacky or right after setting, depending on the specific technique, to prevent jagged edges.
8. 8Apply Top Coat and Cure

   

   Apply a generous yet even layer of gel top coat over the completed plaid nail design to seal the pattern and protect the art. Make sure to cap the free edge completely to prevent chipping or peeling. Place the nail under the UV or LED lamp to cure fully according to your products specifications, locking in the glossy finish.

   Tip: Always cap the free edge with top coat to significantly extend the wear time of your nail art.
9. 9Apply vertical tape strips

   

   Apply two parallel vertical strips of striping tape down the center of a prepped nude gradient pink nail. Press the tape firmly onto the nail surface to ensure crisp lines and prevent any gel bleed during the next dabbing step.

   Tip: Make sure the tape is securely pressed down at the edges so the gel doesnt seep underneath.
10. 10Dab white gel for gradient effect

    

    Using a sponge or dabbing tool with white gel, lightly dab the gel between and around the vertical tape strips on the nail. This creates a soft vertical gradient textured background for the plaid pattern.

    Tip: Use a light tapping motion with minimal product to achieve an even, translucent gradient texture.
11. 11Remove vertical tape strips

    

    Carefully peel off the vertical tape strips from the nail surface using tweezers. Pull slowly and gently at a low angle to keep the newly created gel lines neat and sharp.

    Tip: Peel the tape off while the gel is still wet or right before curing, depending on your gel formula, to avoid jagged edges.
12. 12Apply horizontal tape strips

    

    Apply horizontal strips of striping tape across the nail, intersecting the area where the vertical gradient was just created. This forms the grid structure for the second plaid nail design.

    Tip: Space the horizontal tape evenly to maintain a balanced, symmetrical plaid pattern.
13. 13Dab over horizontal tape

    

    Continue the gradient plaid pattern by dabbing white gel over the horizontal striping tape lines. Use a sponge tool to press the color evenly onto the nail surface.

    Tip: Make sure not to shift the tape while dabbing to keep the lines crisp.
14. 14Seal Gradient Plaid Design

    

    Apply a protective layer of clear top coat directly over the finished gradient plaid nail design. Ensure the gel covers the entire surface evenly without pooling around the edges or cuticles. This seals the sponged gradient texture safely underneath a high-gloss finish before curing.

    Tip: Lightly float the top coat brush over textured nail art to avoid dragging or smudging the underlying design elements.
15. 15Apply diagonal striping tape

    

    For the third style, start by applying striping tape diagonally across the blue gradient nail surface. Place multiple pieces of tape parallel to each other, maintaining an even distance between them.

    Tip: Press the tape firmly onto the nail so the gel doesnt seep underneath.
16. 16Dab White Gel Over Tape Lines

    

    Load a small makeup sponge or dedicated sponge tool with white dab gel. Gently dab the product over the diagonal striping tape lines applied on the nail surface. This deposits an even, semi-transparent textured layer that forms the next block of the plaid pattern once the tape is removed.

    Tip: Use light, tapping motions with the sponge rather than heavy pressing to avoid bleeding gel underneath the tape edges.
17. 17Apply Reverse Striping Tape

    

    Take thin striping tape and apply it across the blue base nail in the opposite diagonal direction to intersect your previous lines. Press down firmly along the entire length of each tape strip to ensure crisp, clean lines when color is applied and the tape is later peeled off.

    Tip: Pressing down the edges of the striping tape securely prevents gel polish from leaking underneath and blurring your grid lines.
18. 18Dab White Color on Second Tape Set

    

    Apply white dab gel using a sponge tool directly over the second set of crossed striping tape lines on the nail. Dab lightly across the entire taped area to build up the multi-layered plaid grid effect. Continue until the desired opacity and textured pattern coverage are achieved.

    Tip: Keep the sponge relatively dry with product to prevent thick clumps of gel from forming over the intersecting tape lines.
19. 19Remove tape for blue plaid

    

    Gently peel off all the remaining striping tape strips from the nail to unveil the completed blue plaid design. Check the lines for crispness and ensure no residue or smudging occurred during removal.

    Tip: Pulling the tape parallel to the nail surface helps avoid stretching or distorting the fresh gel pattern.

Frequently Asked Questions