You were on the right track. Read this:
http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/veneertaping.htm

Dave

Mitch wrote:
My first veneer project.

I veneered a panel with bookmatched veneer. I joined the seam between
the two bookmatched "leaves" together with gummed veneer tape. Put it
in a press for a few hours. unitl the glue cured.

Once out of the press, how do I get the veneer tape off?

I've tried a scraper, but it still took a lot of pressure and repeated
scrapings. And its still not all off. I have a lot of doors to do this
way, so I'm looking for some labor saving secret.

I tried moistening the tape. This helped but the glue seemed to be left
on the surface.

If there's no easy way to get it off, could I avoid this problem and
use masking tape?

Mitch.