The traditional tape casting technology based on organic solvents, the advantages and limitations of their use in comparison with the most promising aqueous-based systems are critically reviewed. Emphasis is given to powders selection criteria for tape casting, according to composition, thickness and the required characteristics for the final tapes. The role of powder characteristics and concentration of the processing aids (dispersants, binders and plasticizers) with their influences on the stabilisation mechanism, rheological behaviour of the suspensions, the tape casting performance, drying process and critical cracking thickness (CCT) are discussed. Successful examples of aqueous tape casting of different ceramic and glass-ceramic materials are presented.