You're talking about "gaff tape". It differs from ordinary duct tape by using a different adhesive (that doesn't degrade so quickly or messily), and it's always got a matte finish (no gloss) because it's got a cloth backing; this cuts light reflection on set. It's also missing any reinforcement (in the way of cross-strings woven into the mesh), so that it lays flat along its entire surface. That's important for putting any two taped surfaces against each other; for example, taped cables will often bind with hardware-store duct tape because of the uneven outer surface.