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Making the Grade: Choosing a Packaging Tape that Measures Up
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Packaging Tape
What is the substrate of a carton and how does it impact packaging tape choice?
In the packaging industry, the substrate of a carton refers to the type of material that the carton you are sealing is made out of. The most common type of substrate is corrugated fiberboard. Pressure-sensitive tape is characterized by the use of wipe-down force to...
What is the proper way to manually apply packaging tape?
Manually applying packaging tape to cartons using a hand-held dispenser – rather than using an automated dispenser – is common in small-scale, non-automated packaging operations. Since using a hand dispenser is often seen as self-explanatory, packaging technicians...
Is thicker packaging tape always better?
Choosing and using tape is our specialty here at Tape University – and dispelling the myths and misconceptions surrounding tape so that you can do your job better is the goal of every article we write. One of the most common misconceptions that we hear in the...
What are the hidden costs of packaging tape?
In manufacturing and large-scale automated packaging operations, packaging tape costs more than the price per roll – in fact, there are many hidden costs that are often overlooked. Have any of these costs been hiding in your packaging line? Productivity/OEE: Slow tape...
Why are some manufacturers placing no-knife carton sealing requirements on suppliers?
Safety is a high priority in carton sealing operations, and recently, some manufacturers have taken additional steps to combat workplace injury with new regulations and requirements for their suppliers. We’ve been hearing more and more in the market that manufacturers...
Why do so many companies use printed packaging tape?
Have you ever ordered something online and received a package that has been sealed with tape that is printed with the store’s brand logo, promotional information, or other instructions? The “Amazon Effect” is strong even in the packaging industry, and as online...
How has e-commerce impacted case sealing?
It’s no surprise that e-commerce has made a major impact on how consumers make purchasing decisions. With online retailers putting shopping at our fingertips, more and more consumer goods are being transported in single parcel shipments. This shift away from...
How do hot and cold environments impact case sealing?
Manufacturers and packaging line workers know that the temperature at which a case sealing operation occurs has an impact on the success – or failure – of a carton seal. This application temperature - the temperature at which packaging tape is applied - is important...
What are the benefits of Water-Activated Tape?
Odds are, if you have ordered something online, you have seen water-activated tape. Water-Activated Tape (WAT) is popular among retailers for e-commerce carton sealing because of its reliability in single parcel manual case sealing operations. Take a look at the...
Does tape tab length matter?
In both automated and manual carton sealing applications ensuring a reliable case seal, while also limiting tape waste can be a balancing act. One way to achieve both is to determine and apply the proper tape tab length. When we say, “tab length,” we are referring to...
What is wash-down?
In the food and beverage industry, wash-down refers to the process of cleaning manufacturing and processing equipment using a high-pressure spray of water and/or chemicals. This is an important process because it kills bacteria and other contaminants to sanitize the...
How should packaging tape be stored?
A roll of tape is susceptible to damage before it even gets to the packaging line. The proper storage of packaging tape can make the difference between a strong carton seal and tape failure that leads to downtime and costly reworks. Automated packaging lines use...
How is packaging tape tested for performance?
Before it’s ready to hit the shelves, packaging tape must pass a series of rigorous tests to ensure that it can meet the demands of the job it was designed for and maintain a strong hold without failing. Many test methods exist, but the major test methods are...
What does it mean for packaging tape to be “Good to the Core?”
When packaging pros refer to a roll of tape as being “Good to the Core,” they are referring to the ability to utilize every linear inch of tape from the roll, all the way down to the corrugate core. Why does it matter if there is tape left at the end of a roll? While...
What are the key issues manufacturers face with carton sealing?
Reacting to production slow-downs and unexpected issues is all in a day’s work for manufacturers and distributors that operate packaging lines. But wouldn’t it be great to be able to anticipate some of the issues and prepare for them? That’s why we are sharing three...
What are the benefits of a tape management system?
Having a tape management system is a great way to optimize the efficiency of your production lines. Some of the benefits are: Reduced downtime Reduced costs Reduced tape waste Improved safety Improved content security Tape management systems let operators know when...
What causes tape waste? Are stub rolls normal?
Manufacturers tend to accept tape waste as a status quo in the industry – and as a result, the issue often goes unaddressed. However, when tape is not “Good to the Core,” or usable all the way down to the cardboard core, it creates unnecessary waste that adds up in...
What are the risks of opening a carton with a knife?
An often overlooked case sealing issue that many organizations face is damage due to sharp instruments. Something as simple as a knife or other sharp object can wreak havoc along the supply chain. One risk related to knife cuts is product damage. This may cause items...
What is a case sealer?
Primarily used for industrial packaging, a case sealer is a piece of equipment that is used to seal cartons during the packaging process to prepare them for shipment. There are two main types of case sealer technologies: Semi-automatic, which requires human interface...
What is an over-filled carton?
Just as cartons can contain too little filler packaging, they can also contain too much. Using too much void fill in boxes and parcels not only creates waste, but can cause the carton sealing tape to fail prior to palletization, while in storage, or during transit....
What is an under-filled carton?
One of the most common problems in the packaging industry is under-filled cartons. An under-filled carton is any parcel, package, or box that lacks adequate filler packaging to ensure that the item(s) being shipped arrives to its destination damage-free. An...
Why won’t packaging tape stick in cold temperatures?
Different types of adhesive fare differently when exposed to sub-freezing temperatures. The adhesive used to seal cartons is viscoelastic, meaning it has properties of both a liquid and a solid. Because of this, the adhesive becomes brittle and glass-like when exposed...
What factors can impact a packaging tape’s ability to stay adhered to a carton?
In theory, the case sealing process is simple: cartons go in, tape is applied, and sealed cartons are palletized for transport or storage. But in reality, application of packaging tape isn’t necessarily an exact science. It’s a delicate balance in which the packaging...
Should I consider what I’m sealing when choosing packaging tape?
The short answer...yes. Always consider what you are sealing when picking packaging tape. There are many carton types available, from the "everyday" corrugated carton to ecycled, thick, or double wall, printed or waxed options. No two cartons are the same as each one...
How is packaging tape made?
Packaging tape serves an important role in supply chains. Without the appropriate packaging tape, packages would not be sealed properly, making it easier for the product to be stolen or damaged, ultimately wasting time and money. For this reason, packaging tape is one...
What is the difference between pressure-sensitive tape (PST) and water-activated tape (WAT)?
To the average person, packaging tape doesn’t require much thought, simply pick out something that gets the job done. On the packaging line however, the right tape can be the difference between a securely sealed carton and a wasted product. Knowing the difference...
Does quality of tape really matter?
Oftentimes, tape is viewed as an insignificant decision – a means to an end for delivery of finished goods. So, manufacturers may be prone to “cheap out” for a lower price. But, you may find yourself in a situation where “you get what you pay for.” Quality is...
How does method of tape application influence tape selection?
In an industrial setting, there are two ways to apply packaging tape: in a manual process using a hand-held tape dispenser or in an automated process using an automatic case sealer. The tape you choose depends on the method you use. In a manual process, features such...
How does the manufacturing/packaging environment impact tape performance?
The production and shipping/storage environments are critical to consider when choosing packaging tape, particularly temperature and environmental conditions such as humidity and dust, as these factors can impact the application of the tape and reliability of the case...
What does grade mean in packaging tape?
In packaging tape, grade refers to the construction of the tape. Grades are made of varying levels of film and adhesive thickness. These grades deliver a range of different holding powers and tensile strengths. For lower tape grades, thinner backings and smaller...
Five Things to Consider When Choosing Packaging Tape
Choosing packaging tape may seem like an insignificant decision to your overall packaging operation; but in reality, it’s as critical of an element to your secondary packaging strategy as the box and filler you have selected to keep your contents secure. Together,...
How does tape cause downtime on the packaging line?
Downtime is a period of time during which a system fails to perform or production is interrupted. It's a hot topic among many manufacturers. Downtime results in stopped production, missed deadlines and lost profit. It also increases stress and frustration at all...
Why won’t packaging tape stick to recycled boxes?
According to the Corrugated Packaging Alliance, “in 2012, 91 percent (29 million tons) of the corrugated packaging used in the U.S. was successfully recovered for recycling, maintaining its top position as the most-recycled packaging material." While finding fewer...
What is the difference between hot melt and acrylic packaging tapes?
Not all packaging tapes are the same, especially when it comes to construction. The biggest difference is adhesive type. The two most common are acrylic and hot melt. Read on to see what makes them so different.
What is wipe-down force and why does it matter in case sealing?
Most packaging tapes are pressure-sensitive, which means they require some type of pressure, or wipe-down force, to bond the tape to the carton surface. The proper amount of pressure will drive the tape’s adhesive into the corrugated surface, allowing the adhesive to entangle itself deep within the fibers of the carton, thereby creating a secure case seal.
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