Understanding Packaging Tape and Its Importance
A box is only as secure as its closure. Packaging tape is two things — a backing film and an adhesive — and the choice of each decides how the seal behaves on a hot truck, in a cold store, on recycled board, or on a carton that sits in a warehouse for a year.
What packaging tape is made of
Every packaging tape is a backing with an adhesive on one side. The most common backing for carton sealing is BOPP — biaxially oriented polypropylene, a film stretched in two directions so it is strong and tear-resistant for its thickness. Other backings include PVC, paper, and film reinforced with glass or polyester filaments for very heavy cartons.
Tape thickness is measured in microns. A thicker tape resists splitting and tearing, and suits heavier cartons and rougher handling.
Adhesive types compared
| Adhesive | Strengths | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Hot melt | Strong initial grab; bonds well to recycled and dusty board; fast on packing lines | Can lose hold at temperature extremes; ages less well |
| Acrylic | Clear; resists ageing and UV; works across a wide temperature range | Lower initial tack; the bond builds over time |
| Solvent (natural rubber) | Strong adhesion in heat and cold and on difficult surfaces | Usually the most expensive |
What to look for in a packaging tape
- Adhesion to your board. Recycled and dusty cartons need an adhesive that grabs quickly.
- Thickness suited to the carton weight and handling.
- Width. Wider tape covers more of the seam and flaps; heavier cartons need it.
- Temperature. Consider the hottest truck and the coldest store the carton will see.
- Application. Hand dispensers and carton sealing machines both work best with tape made for them.
Tape for shipping
The most reliable way to seal a shipping carton is the H-seal: one strip along the centre seam where the flaps meet, and one across each edge seam. Carry each strip well down the sides of the box, and press it firmly — most adhesives reach full strength only under pressure. A single strip along the centre seam leaves the edges free to open when the box is dropped on a corner.
Tape for storage
Cartons that sit in a warehouse for months need an adhesive that ages well. Acrylic tapes generally hold up better over time and in light than hot melt. Store tape rolls in a cool, dry place so the adhesive is in good condition when it is used.
Tape for heavy-duty cartons
- Use a wider, thicker tape, applied as a full H-seal.
- Add a second strip across the centre seam of very heavy boxes.
- For the heaviest cartons, filament-reinforced tape or strapping adds strength film tape cannot.
- Remember the tape only closes the box — the board has to carry the load. See our heavy duty boxes guide.
Printed tape
Printed tape puts your name or a handling message on every sealed carton, and makes a resealed box easier to spot: a plain strip over printed tape stands out.
Packaging tape from Himalaya Packaging
We supply BOPP packaging tape, plain or custom printed in more than one colour, with your carton order on the same delivery — so the closure is sourced with the box. Tell us the width and length you use now and we will quote tape to match. See our packaging tape.
The product behind this article
Packaging Tape
Branded and plain BOPP tape supplied alongside your cartons, on the same delivery.
Printed
Multicolour
Bulk supply
