The guide to choosing the right adhesive tape for your parcels
5min read
14/10/2024
Adhesive packaging tapes are mainly divided into 4 families.
Here are their main characteristics and indications on how to use them correctly.
When tapes in DIFFICULT CONDITIONS (cartons with surfaces that are not perfectly smooth), in SMALL QUANTITIES and in environments with not excessively low temperatures.
Polyvinyl chloride backing, natural rubber glue, hydrocarbon and natural resins. Basically, the glue is dissolved in a solvent and then coated onto the tapes. It releases chlorine in the event of combustion.
It is therefore not an environmentally friendly choice.
It is silent in unrolling, opaque and very rigid.
You can break it easily, even with your hands, without using the blade.
The mostly sticky glue, suitable for all kinds of materials (paper, recycled cardboard, plastic, glass…), does not cause you any problems because it sticks to any surface. Use it when you have to work in a hurry or in awkward positions or on difficult materials.
You cannot use it if your warehouse is cold. In winter, you must condition it for at least 24 hours in an environment of 18°/20° before using it.
It has a very good immediate performance, but is not suitable for long-term storage. The natural material is more sensitive to weathering. After 6 to 9 months, tapes attached to closed cardboard boxes tend to come off because the adhesive, especially due to the action of ozone, is pulverised. In addition, the tape backing tends to yellow after 6 months.
PPL 28µ
If you are looking forECONOMY and need to tape LARGE QUANTITIES. ppl backing, natural rubber glue, hydrocarbon and natural resins.
It is noisy when rolling and shiny.
You have to cut it with a tape dispenser or blade.
The ppl backing is elastic, so the tape, if stretched during application, then returns to its original length. So don’t pull too hard or, due to the springback, the flaps will shrink and the glue will come off. But just stretch the tape without pulling too much and you will be satisfied, it is an excellent tape for value for money.
Natural glue is very sticky, but like pvc it does not last long. However, ppl does not absorb water or retain moisture, so polypropylene tapes are less affected by temperature changes than pvc. If you work at very low temperatures, however, switch to silent ppl.
Silent PPL 28µ to 35µ
If you are looking for a tape for LONG-TERM storage.
The BEST value for money.
Polypropylene backing, water-based acrylic glue.
It is quiet in rolling and shiny.
Like noisy ppl it suffers from springback, so you don’t have to pull it and apply it with a dispenser or cut it with a cutter. If well applied, it is an excellent tape. As acrylic glue is less sticky than natural glue, it is best if you lay the tape on smooth kraft paper boxes.
In the long term it lasts longer than pvc and ppl, both the tape stored and the tape attached to cardboard. Acrylic glue, besides being absolutely transparent, lasts for more than a year. In addition, the ppl backing does not yellow unlike pvc.
If you use AUTOMATIC STICKERS.
ppl backing, synthetic rubber-based glue.
You can also use this tape with a dispenser, but it unrolls very easily, so it may clog the dispenser. It is, however, excellent for automatic taping machines.
Please note that like standard ppl it is noisy.
BONUS TAPE 28µ
If you DO NOT WANT TO CHANGE THE R OLL TOO FREQUENTLY and if you HAVE NO SPACE for storing tapes.
It is silent in rolling and brilliant. Like noisy ppl it suffers from springback, so you don’ t have to stretch it excessively and apply it with a dispenser or cut it with a cutter.
It has all the characteristics of normal polypropylene except for the size.
One roll is 200 metres long, instead of the standard 66 metres, so it makes for three normal rolls.
Be careful if you opt for this tape you have to match it with its dispenser, ADV60the only one that can fit the narrow spindle and wide diameter.
When you do NOT want to LEAVE TRACES. For temporary protection
It is very useful if you are in industry, to mark metal or plastic parts, overwriting the tape.
You can take it off and put it on easily without leaving sticky residue and it resists water and high temperatures.
It is therefore also indispensable for painting walls or car bodies.
PAPER ADHESIVE TAPE OR GUMMED PAPER
When you have to EXPORT heavy material SAFELY, with an eye onECOLOGY.
Consisting of pure kraft paper and quick-setting glue, they provide almost immediate and permanent closure (the glue has the ability to penetrate deep into the fibres of the cardboard).
Thanks to this extraordinary adhesion to the boxes, you will be able to recognise theft attempts immediately, because tears will be produced in the cardboard.
It is ideal for exports because it withstands extreme climatic variations and withstands the heaviest loads.
The paper is also easy to use because it can be cut by hand.
As far as gummed paper is concerned, it must be sold together with the humidifier.
The paper tape is environmentally friendly because the kraft backing is not siliconised, you can quiondi dispose of it with cardboard, this does not apply to the gummed paper tape.
