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Making the Grade: Choosing a Packaging Tape that Measures Up
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Packaging
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...
Mission: Packaging 2017 – Challenge Ten: Dear Packaging Student
For their final mission, we like to ask our Mission: Packaging students to share some nuggets of wisdom that they have gleamed during the year and would like to pass on to the next class of packaging students. Whether they developed a stronger passion for the...
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...
Mission: Packaging 2017 – Challenge Nine: Alum Interview
With the end of the year approaching, and only two challenges remaining in our Mission: Packaging program, we asked our students to seek the wisdom of those who came before them – that is, packaging studies graduates from their universities. Each student interviewed...
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...
Mission: Packaging 2017 – Challenge Eight: Common Mistakes
True packaging pros are aware of common issues that can wreak havoc on their packaging line and know what corrective actions to take when challenges arise. As they study to become experts in their fields, our Mission: Packaging students took on the task of discovering...
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...
Mission: Packaging 2017 – Challenge Seven: Seal Security in E-commerce
E-commerce has boomed over the past decade, and the trend won’t be slowing down! According to BigCommerce.com, e-commerce is growing 23% year-over-year, and 67% of Millennials reportedly prefer shopping online versus shopping in brick-and-mortar retail stores. With...
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...
Mission: Packaging 2017 – Challenge Six: Never Stop Improving
Packaging professionals and manufacturers are all-too familiar with Overall Equipment Effectiveness. OEE is one way that efficiency on the packaging line is measured, and is constantly being monitored for improvement opportunities. In order to understand OEE better,...
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...
Mission: Packaging 2017 – Challenge Five: Experience of Packaging
When you are shopping for something specific but don’t have a particular brand in mind, do you tend to choose the one that looks the best from the outside? Have you ever avoided buying a certain product because the packaging is flimsy or damaged? Many of us – whether...
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...
Mission: Packaging 2017 – Challenge Four: Packaging Gets Flexible
Flexible packaging has become one of the fastest growing trends in the packaging industry, and when you look at the advantages it can offer, it’s no surprise. Flexible Packaging magazine suggests that some of the trends we can expect to see in the upcoming year...
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...
Mission: Packaging 2017 – Challenge Three: Packaging Gets Smart, Active, and Intelligent
We don’t always notice the strategy and practicality that goes into the packaging of items that we purchase on a regular basis. Not only does the packaging need to protect and hold the product, but it also needs to be designed with consideration to stackability on...
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...
Mission: Packaging 2017 – Challenge Two: Making Packaging Sustainable
With Earth Day just around the corner, we asked our Mission: Packaging students to do some research on sustainability in packaging for their second mission. It has become increasingly important for manufacturers and businesses to consider the environmental impact of...
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...
Mission: Packaging 2017 – Challenge One: Through the Eyes of a Pro
The 2017 Mission: Packaging students kicked off the program by taking a look at the packaging industry through the eyes of seasoned professionals. We asked them to interview someone they know who has experience in the industry, whether it be an employer with whom they...
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....
Packaged for Success in 2017 – 2nd Annual Mission: Packaging Program
It’s back for a second year – the Shurtape Mission: Packaging program. Through this program, Shurtape has selected three rising packaging students who are game to take on a series of packaging-themed missions. All in the name of higher education – and cashing in. Each...
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...
Mission: Packaging 2016 – Challenge Ten: A New Hope
The Mission: Packaging students have completed their 10th Mission. For their final challenge, we asked them to tell us what they are looking forward to in the future of packaging. To provide us with their predictions, hopes and/or feelings about what the future holds...
Mission: Packaging 2016 – Challenge Nine: Dear Packaging Student
As the students are reaching the end of their time in the Mission: Packaging program, we thought it was important for them to gather as much insight as possible before their next big step: joining the packaging work force. For this mission, we asked them to interview...
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...
Mission: Packaging 2016 – Challenge Eight: Packaging Pet Peeves
One cool thing about packaging is that there are a ton of options to choose from. Which means, in theory, that there's no right or wrong way to package a product. But in reality, companies are faced with numerous considerations when designing packaging. What's going...
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...
Mission: Packaging 2016 – Challenge Seven: Food for Thought
As you are already aware, the packaging field is ever-changing. Packaging World magazine indicates that the reason the industry is constantly evolving is due to the fact that companies are more in tune with their consumers. For example, here’s a fun fact from the May...
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...
Mission: Packaging 2016 – Challenge Six: Through the Eyes of the Associations
The packaging industry is full of professional organizations such as the Flexible Packaging Association, PMMI: The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, the Paperboard Packaging Council, and the Adhesive and Sealant Council. Even from this list, you...
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,...
Mission: Packaging 2016 – Challenge Five: Sustainability in Packaging
Did you celebrate Earth Day on April 22? Events and celebrations were held worldwide to support the environmental protection of our planet. But really, the Earth is something many people take into consideration every day. Many businesses are also choosing to do their...
Mission: Packaging 2016 – Challenge Four: Safe and Secure
Companies put a lot of time, money and effort into creating perfect packaging that will grab consumers’ attention and make them want to purchase a product. But a lot can happen between the creation of that product and its placement on shelf, which can impact a...
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...
Mission: Packaging 2016 – Challenge Three: Trending Now
Sustainable. Customizable. Simplistic. Throw-back. Flexible. These are just some of the buzzwords surrounding today’s packaging. So, what's in store for the field in the future? For their third challenge, we asked Anna, Garrett and Eric to gain some insight into...
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.
Mission: Packaging 2016 – Challenge Two: The Path of Continuous Improvement
Today, many manufacturers are concerning themselves with continuous improvement projects to enhance the efficiency of production and packaging processes, and ultimately improve their bottom line. One topic we often hear in our conversations is Overall Equipment...
Mission: Packaging 2016 – Challenge One: A Day in the Life of a Packaging Pro
For their first mission, the Mission: Packaging students were asked to learn more about the packaging field through the eyes of someone already in it. It could have been a professor that's helped guide them to success, someone with whom they've completed an internship...
Mission: Packaging 2016 – Getting Students Packaged for Success
Classroom instruction is great. It provides students with a foundation from which to grow. And much of that growth comes from hands-on experience. That's why we're excited about our Mission: Packaging program - an educational experience for students. Over the next...