Carton Sealing Tape Types

What it is

Most box sealing tape is a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The adhesive type matters more than the film for most jobs. Hot melt adhesive is a synthetic rubber blend. It grabs fast and holds well on most corrugated, including recycled board. Acrylic adhesive is clear, resists UV and aging, and works over a wide temperature range, but builds bond more slowly. Natural rubber (solvent) adhesive gives the strongest grab on hard-to-stick surfaces and in cold, dusty or humid conditions, and costs more. ASTM D5486 covers pressure-sensitive tape for box closure, and PSTC-101 is the peel adhesion test.

How to identify

The case label shows adhesive type, width, length and thickness in mils. Hot melt tape has a firm, tacky feel. Acrylic tape is very clear and has a lighter initial tack. Natural rubber tape is often tan or slightly yellow and feels very sticky. Machine-grade tape is wound for case sealers; hand-grade tape is for dispensers.

Adhesive comparison

Key points

• Apply firm pressure after taping. Pressure-sensitive adhesive needs pressure and contact to bond.
• Apply tape at room temperature where possible. Cold boxes and cold tape both reduce bond.
• Heavy or overpacked boxes need wider or thicker tape and a full H-pattern or extra strips.
• Store tape in a dry, moderate-temperature area. Heat and cold damage adhesive in storage.
• For high-value or tamper-evident shipping, consider water-activated tape. See water-activated (gummed) tape.
• See the tape selection chart for other packaging tapes.

Common mistakes

• Using acrylic tape on dusty recycled cartons and seeing flags lift.
• Taping boxes in a freezer with standard hot melt.
• Leaving short tape tabs down the sides that peel off.
• Buying thinner tape to save cost on heavy shipments.

Governing standards: ASTM D5486 (pressure-sensitive tape for packaging, box closure and sealing); PSTC-101 (peel adhesion of pressure-sensitive tape).

Reference only. Verify against the current governing code or standard, the manufacturer's data and the project documents before use. Apps for Distributors disclaims liability arising from reliance on this reference.