If you're new to wrapping drop bars we'd suggest watching this how to wrap handlebar tape video , which gives plenty of visual help and advice.
However, here are a few useful pointers to make the job go smoothly.
Clean and prep your bars: Unless you're wrapping a new pair of bars you'll want to make sure you've cleaned off any sticky residue left from the old tape. You'll also want to make sure that your cables and hoses are securely and neatly taped, especially if you're not using bars with internal routing.
Be prepared: Don't start wrapping the tape until you're properly set-up for the task ahead. You'll need some sharp scissors at hand, along with some electrical tape. The latter is to replace the finishing strips that came in the box with the tape. Discard these because they aren't very good at securing the bar tape in place.
Always start from the bottom: It might seem obvious but you always wrap tape from the bottom of the drops, finishing on the tops.
Keep up the tension: Once you've started your wrap you'll need to keep an even tension on the tape to ensure a clean and secure wrap. This is when tape choice can help, with some tapes offering more stretch than others.
Watch the gap: As you wrap, always stay alert for any gaps in the tape. Not only is this unsightly and unprofessional it could also lead to a less than secure finish.
Score first, cut second: Before you cut your tape at the finish it's wise to score it first, using the scissors. This way you can check that you're going to cut it in the right direction to give you a clean edge, ready for the electrical tape, which you'll want to wrap tightly to help keep your wrapped bar tape in place. Three wraps of electrical tape should do the trick.