Do you need multiple pieces of industrial packaging tape to effectively seal your commercial boxes and containers for transport? Have you noticed that your tape isn’t actually sticking to the materials being shipped?

Industrial packaging tape that doesn’t properly adhere to the materials of your commercial boxes and containers can lead to insufficient sealing and pilfered packages.

To avoid this, you’ve likely wondered which type of packaging tape would be best to secure your facility’s packages.

There are a wide variety of different packaging tapes. The type of tape you choose to use in your facility will affect how secure the package is and whether or not your customer will receive it in good condition.

Without the right tape, you risk having the contents of your packages pilfered, spilled contents, and increased overall costs for your business.

What is Industrial Packaging Tape? 

Industrial packaging tape is used to seal boxes or containers for transport. It is higher grade than standard at-home tapes.

Without the right industrial packaging tape, you may experience:

• Improperly sealed packages
• Pilfered packages
• Wasted packaging tape

These tapes are applied either by hand or using a packaging machine, which applies the tape mechanically.

What Are The Different Types Of Industrial Packaging Tape?

There are several different types of industrial packaging tape that are available.

The most popular commercial packaging tapes are:

• Acrylic Tape
• Hot Melt Tape
• Rubber Industrial Tape
• Water Activated Tape

The best choice for your facility will be based on:

• material of your shipping boxes or containers
• the outdoor temperature when the tape is applied
• whether the tape is applied by hand or machine

Below, we’ll compare the different tapes to help you understand what might be the best option for you.

ACRYLIC PACKAGING TAPE

Acrylic tape is a newer type of industrial tape, recently making waves in the market.

This type of tape uses a chemical glue to adhere to the box, container, or other packaging.

Tape Grab

Using chemical glue, the acrylic tape takes longer than hot melt tape to grab, but it gets progressively stronger over time.

Temperature Compatibility

Acrylic tapes don’t have a specific temperature requirement, but they work better in cold environments.

Adhesion Requirements

This type of tape is not compatible with packaging materials that are high in recycled cardboard content because the liquid glue can’t penetrate the shorter, denser fibers.

If you’re not sure whether your cardboard packaging has high recycled content, your packaging supplier should indicate what percentage of your packaging content is recycled.

Tape Application

Acrylic tape can be applied by hand or using an auto-tape machine.

When used with an auto-tape machine, there’s a chance that acrylic tape may leave behind a residue. If you find a residue left behind, you can use a citrus-based cleaner to remove it.

Customization Compatibility 

Acrylic tape, like the other tapes on this list, is easily customizable with the colors, logo, and branding of your business.

HOT MELT PACKAGING TAPE

Hot melt tape is a very forgiving adhesive tape option that doesn’t require much setup for the application, making this tape easy to apply.

Tape Grab

Hot melt tape has a quick grab, meaning that it grabs onto packaging materials quickly. The grab of the tape gets weaker over time, which makes it an ineffective option for packages that will be in transit for a while.

Temperature Compatibility

In environments colder than 45 degrees, the adhesive on hot melt tape hardens quicker causing the tape to lose its stickiness.

When used in cold temperatures, you may experience a lack of adhesion and premature opening of the package.

Adhesion Requirements

This type of tape is very compatible with high recycled cardboard content whereas other types of tape can’t create a seal.

Having an industrial tape that is compatible with recycled materials is helpful in facilities where sustainability is a priority.

Tape Application

Hot melt tape requires an auto-tape machine in order to be applied to packaging in order to achieve the melting temperature for the adhesive.

Customization Compatibility 

Hot melt tape is easy to customize and can be personalized by your industrial packaging provider.

RUBBER PACKAGING TAPE

Rubber tape is a more expensive tape option than acrylic and hot melt tape.

Tape Grab

Rubber tape works well in a variety of environmental settings.

Commercial rubber packaging tape is good for packages with wide surfaces.

Temperature Compatibility

It is compatible for packages that come into contact with severe conditions like excessive heat, cold, and humidity. If you suspect that your package may come into contact with extremes like weathering, saltwater, or chemicals, rubber tape will be a great option to keep your package sealed throughout transport.

Adhesive Requirements

There are no specific requirements or warnings for use with this type of tape.

Tape Application

Rubber tape doesn’t need to be activated by water, heat, or chemical solvents, making it easy to apply. This pressure-sensitive tape uses light pressure to adhere to surfaces.

Pro-Tip: Pressure-sensitive tape (PST) is a type of tape that uses pressure to become adhered to materials. These types of tape stick with light pressure (like pressure from a hand). The quick bonding of this tape depends on the amount of pressure received. Using PST reduces packaging assembly time and provides uniform adhesion across the entire package.

Customization

Rubber packaging tape can be customized according to the needs of your company.

WATER ACTIVATED PACKAGING TAPE

Water-activated tape, also called WAT, is the oldest and most expensive type of industrial packaging tape. 

The largest advantage of using water-activated tape is that it is highly tampered evident and will help prevent and discourage pilferage of your packages.

Tape Grab

Water-activated tape can be reinforced which will make the tape stronger and better suited to handle heavier duty packages.

Temperature Compatibility

This tape should not be applied in freezing temperatures.

Adhesive Requirements 

Water-activated tape needs water to activate the adhesive of the tape. WAT is not activated by the use of chemicals or pressure.

Tape Application

This type of industrial packaging tape requires a machine to apply to the packaging materials. If you are thinking of investing in WAT, you will also need to purchase or rent a tape application machine.

Customization

 Water-activated tape is very easily customizable. This type of tape can be customized with personalized wording, branding, and colors depending on the packaging tape provider you’re using.