World Magazine 2024
Although it seems obvious, the quality of packaging tape is important when sending out your products.
For e-commerce packaging, first impressions are essential. When a buyer first sees a box containing their newest purchase, they should be pleased with its look and security, that is why it is critical to learn how to choose the appropriate packaging tape. Essentially, packing should be impeccably packaged, and packaging tape plays a vital role in this.
Table of Contents
Selecting the Appropriate Packaging Tape
The tape packaging is crucial to the processing sector. Choosing the proper packaging tape is critical for preventing damage and abuse and ensuring the integrity of your business/organization.
When picking packing tape, it is necessary to examine aspects such as quality, climate, product, the application process, and consistency. Typically, packing tape comes in two variations: hot melt and acrylic. It may be automatically or manually treated. Additionally, the breadth, tensile strength, and adherence to various materials must be taken into account.
Presentation of Packaging
You’ve spent considerable time and resources honing the product’s presentation. You’ve given meticulous attention to detail in the design of your product, such as the color schemes you used and the positioning of your logo.
However, you want your consumers to feel excited about opening and exploring their package from the minute it arrives in their mail or on the storefront or even directly to your home. This is when the material you pick comes into play. According to tapejungle.com, when taking the time and effort to get the right construction of the box, you should consider the packaging tape or custom printed tape that can be used to secure the product – which is equally significant.
More information for all of these factors can be found below.
Consider the Following When Selecting Packing Tape
The word “grade” determines the thickness of the adhesive layer and the quantity of adhesive used. The grade required is determined by the size of the carton, the weight of its contents, and the production and transportation settings in which it will be used.
The substrate (also known as the adhesion layer) in the region on which the tape will be placed. Based on the type of container you are packaging, such as corrugated, recyclable, double-wall, thick, waxed, or printed, you may not need a more specialized kind of tape. For instance, recycled cartons need a greater amount of adhesive tape than standard boxes.
Lower-grade tapes are thinner and have a weaker tack, making them ideal for sealing lightweight boxes.
Environmental factors must be considered. Consider the procedures involved in the manufacture, storage, and transportation of your product. Air temperature, temperature, or dust all have an effect on the adhesiveness of the tape.
Higher grades have tapes that are thicker and have a more significant amount of adhesive. They provide superior adhesion and tensile strength, making them suitable for heavy-duty sealing.
The application process specifies whether the tape is distributed manually, with the aid of a hand-held dispenser, or automatically with the aid of an electronic case sealer.
- Automated: Machine-applied tapes are simple to unwind, minimizing tape breakage due to stretching and tearing. Where cartons must be palletized immediately, the automated process enables instant adhesion. Machine usage is recommended for water-activated or hot-melt tapes.
- Manual: When applying tape manually, it is simple to wind down and has a firm initial grip on a corrugated board. It is backed with a thick film to avoid stretching and cracking.
Tape quality has an impact on the machine’s capacity to function correctly. A high-quality tape (high tensile strength high elongation percentage) is less prone to break or tear, allowing the machine to operate efficiently and on time.
Inconsistency in tape quality can cause packaging line delays and cost you a lot. Ensure that the tape is simple to unwind, adheres well to corrugated surfaces, and has the strength and reliability required for the distribution process.
Packing Tape Types: Hot Melt vs. Acrylic Tape
Plastic tape is used in two varieties: Acrylic (water-based) and hot melt (synthetic rubber). Trinity stocks both hand-graded and machine-graded rolls. They are priced similarly and come in both economical and premium grades.
Hot melt tape is suitable for packaging, temporary packing, box/carton wrapping, overstuffed boxes, and boxes/cartons containing a high percentage of recycled content.
The characteristics of hot melt tape are below.
- Generally, outperforms machine-grade acrylic tape in terms of reliability.
- Outperforms acrylic in flexibility when subjected to excessive pressure or stress.
- More adhesive properties than acrylic.
- Faster tacking.
- Superior tensile and retaining strength.
- Simple to unwind, machine-grade hot melt tape seals consistently and efficiently.
- Performs well in temperatures ranging from 45 to 120 degrees.
Acrylic tape is well-suited for long-term storage in environments of medium to high humidity. It is more resistant to high temperatures (such as those used in refrigeration) than hot melt tape. Although found to be of a lower quality sometimes, it is used for sealing/closing lightweight cartons.
Below are some more characteristics.
- Performs well in temperatures ranging from 32 to 140 degrees.
- In comparison to hot melt tape, acrylic tape resists the discoloration that is often induced by oxidation.
Conclusion
Each packaging and shipping process has a unique set of requirements. If you send twenty packages per day or 200 boxes per hour, there is indeed a packing tape to fit your needs. The correct tape will protect your products across their supply chain while still maximizing their appearance upon delivery at your customer’s doorstep.
