What is the difference between a drop cloth and a tarp for painting?

The difference between a drop cloth and a tarp for painting lies in material, purpose, and performance for protection. A drop cloth for painting is specifically designed to protect floors and furniture from paint drips and is typically made from absorbent cotton canvas or thin plastic sheeting that is lightweight and intended for indoor painting. Canvas drop cloths absorb paint drips, stay in place, are non-slip, reusable, and prevent tracking of wet paint. Plastic drop cloths are cheap, waterproof, and disposable. A tarp, short for tarpaulin, is generally made from heavy-duty waterproof material like polyethylene, vinyl, or canvas with waterproof coating, designed for outdoor protection against weather, covering equipment, and heavy-duty use, and is much thicker, heavier, and more durable than painting drop cloth. Tarps are usually heavier weight like 6 to 12 mil, have grommets for tying down, and are waterproof but slippery and paint stays wet on surface. For painting, canvas drop cloth is better for floors because it absorbs and is safer, while tarp is overkill and slippery. Plastic drop cloth is essentially a light tarp. So drop cloth is lightweight painting protection, tarp is heavy-duty outdoor waterproof cover, though canvas drop cloths are sometimes called painter's tarps.