Ten years ago, Q1® started with a simple ambition: to bring a fresh vision into the world of masking solutions.
What began as an idea soon evolved into something much bigger: a premium brand built around innovation, strong identity and a new way of connecting with professionals.
Officially launched in the UK automotive refinishing market in 2016, Q1® immediately stood out thanks to its distinctive personality, unmistakable black and yellow design, and a clear mission: delivering premium masking solutions made for professionals who demand more.
“Q1® was never simply about creating another masking tape. It was about looking at the market differently, bringing branding, communication and emotional connection into a traditionally product-oriented industry. From the very beginning, Q1® understood that professionals wanted more than performance. They wanted trust, identity, inspiration and connection. ” - Davide Zamporri, Q1® General Manager
Over the past decade, Q1® has grown into an international brand trusted by professionals across more than 30 countries worldwide.
From automotive refinishing to painting & renovation across the UK & Canada, Q1® has continued to evolve alongside painters, decorators and bodyshops, developing solutions designed to simplify processes, improve precision and elevate everyday work.
But growth has never only been about products.
It has always been about people, relationships and shared experiences.
Through collaborations with professionals around the world, educational initiatives and a community-driven approach, Q1® created a new way of communicating within the masking industry: more direct, more authentic and closer to the field.
Today, Q1® represents Italian excellence with a global vision, combining technical expertise, innovation and premium communication into one recognisable identity.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Q1® partnered with internationally recognised artist No Curves for a special limited-edition box.
Known for transforming adhesive tape into contemporary artworks, No Curves reimagined masking tape beyond its professional function, turning it into an artistic language built through movement, geometry and precision.
The result is an exclusive anniversary box that visually interprets the dynamic gesture of tape application: lines intersect, shapes evolve and surfaces come alive through rhythm and motion.
The movement of tape during application inspired the entire artwork: a geometry built through motion, precision and flow.
“This is a celebration of the same precision and control that professionals use every day in bodyshops and painting projects around the world. This collaboration perfectly reflects the spirit of Q1®: a product created for performance, capable of inspiring creativity far beyond its original purpose.” - Stefano Residori, Q1® Global Brand Manager
From professional applications to artistic expression, masking tape becomes more than a tool: it becomes inspiration.
The first ten years of Q1® have been shaped by the people behind the brand: teams, distributors, partners and professionals who contributed to building its story across the world.
And this is only the beginning.
Q1® will continue to move forward with the same ambition that defined its origins: creating premium masking solutions that combine performance, innovation and professional excellence.
Let’s get in touch.
Keeping excellent masking products in your shop means selling efficiency and high productivity to your customers. Join the Q1® family to watch your business grow.
