Consider these factors next time you choose packaging tape to help deliver a better, more secure case seal.
Five Things to Consider When Choosing Packaging Tape
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Tape Application
Can I use any foil HVAC tape on plenum?
When taping a plenum, it is recommended to use a UL Listed foil tape. The plenum is usually made from sheet metal and is connected to the supply outlet of an HVAC system.
Don’t judge duct tape by its cover alone
When it comes to choosing the right duct tape for the job, it’s important to understand how they are tested and measured. Below are common tape performance characteristics to consider: Thickness, Adhesion to Steel, Tensile, Shear, Tack, Elongation, etc.
How does HVAC tape choice impact Indoor Air Quality?
There’s no denying the impact that an HVAC technician can make on a family or the employees of an organization when you consider the importance of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). IAQ has a direct effect on our health – and poor indoor air quality can lead to health concerns...
Making the Grade: Choosing a Packaging Tape that Measures Up
Are you using the right grade of packaging tape for your application? Learn more about HP Series packaging tapes at Shurtape.com.
When should I use a delicate surface painter’s tape?
Most painter’s tapes are designed to be relatively gentle – especially in comparison to more robust tapes like duct tapes – but not all of them are equal when it comes to their effect on certain surfaces. Delicate surface painter’s tapes are those which are built for...
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...
What is the Purpose of Housewrap Tape?
Housewrap is crucial in creating an air barrier to stop uncontrolled air flow – helping to prevent interior damage, mold growth, and increased heating and cooling costs. Housewrap tape helps to seal all seams on housewrap applications including sheathing, insulation,...
How is tape used in hotel applications?
Many types of facilities rely on tape behind the scenes to run properly - often in ways that we might not realize! Take a look at some of the places where tape is used in the daily operation of a hotel: Looking for the right tape for your own application? Visit...
How are barricade tapes used to promote safety?
5,190 workers were killed on the job in 2016 – that’s more than 14 deaths a day.* Barricade tapes such as caution, danger, and lead hazard tapes are used to communicate warnings and manage access to work sites and hazardous areas to promote safety. These non-adhesive,...
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...
Where is tape used in manufacturing?
Have you ever considered just how many functions tape can serve in a manufacturing facility? From packaging goods for transport to marking danger zones on the production floor, there are tons of roles that tape can play in industrial settings. Just take a look! ...
What is the difference between masking and painter’s tape?
Masking and painter’s tapes are two of the most commonly confused types of tape because they are similar in look and feel. However, when you are doing a professional paint job – or any project that requires precision – using a tape that is designed for painting makes...
How do I protect floors during abatement and remediation jobs?
Abatement and remediation are tough jobs, and without proper protection, they can be tough on floors. Between hauling out hazardous or dirty materials, bringing in new materials, and accommodating crews to build containment systems, floors are subjected to a lot...
What is the proper way to apply gaffer’s tape?
In the arts and entertainment industries, gaffer’s tape is often used to tape down cables to floors as a safety precaution to prevent people from tripping over them. But did you know there is a right way and a wrong way (or several wrong ways!) to apply gaffer’s tape?...
What is the proper way to apply HVAC tape?
Whether you are working with a foil or film tape, applying to sheet metal, flex duct, or rigid duct material, knowing the proper way to apply the tape can make the difference between failure and long-lasting performance. Follow along to learn how HVAC tapes are...
5 Common HVAC Tape Mistakes You May be Making
The importance of proper tape use is often overlooked when it comes to HVAC installation and maintenance tasks. When system efficiency is on the line, choosing – and properly applying – a tape that is right for the task at hand can make the difference between an...
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...
How does surface impact the type of painter’s tape used?
The surface that you are painting on should be a major consideration when selecting the type of painter’s tape. Different tapes are constructed with different levels of adhesion, making it important to choose one that is strong enough to hold up on the surface you...
How are abatement tapes used for asbestos removal?
While the use of asbestos as a building material in homes and buildings has been banned for several decades, many structures that contain the fibrous mineral have remained. Although not harmful unless the fibers become airborne, asbestos has been known to cause a...
Can I apply painter’s tape to windows?
Yes, given its light adhesion, you can apply painter’s tape to windows. In order to mask windows, start at any corner of the trim, and stick your painter's tape on the trim where it meets the wall. Apply your tape in 4- or 5-foot segments in order to prevent the tape...
Mission: HVAC 2017 – Challenge 6: Necessity or Nuisance?
HVAC technicians depend on their tools of the trade in order to get each job done efficiently. That’s why they are careful to choose materials – like tapes – which allow them to work quickly and deliver quality results. Many foil and film tapes for HVAC are...
How are abatement tapes used for fire restoration?
After a fire, building damage can be devastating and overwhelming to clean up. Even after the flames have been extinguished, remaining smoke and ash can set into walls, furniture, and other items, causing deterioration and staining. However, the damage caused by a...
What’s the difference between a two-step and three step stucco application method?
Depending on the parameters of the project, stucco application can involve either two or three steps. Two-step stucco application involves a scratch coat, which is applied with a trowel and creates a rough layer of stucco that the second coat, the brown coat, can bond...
How are barricade tapes used in abatement?
Abatement professionals know that they need to have a variety of tapes in their toolbox to be prepared for every job, and one of those is a barricade tape. Barricade tapes are the brightly colored non-adhesive tapes that we often see in depictions of crime scenes or...
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...
How do I apply painter’s tape in corners?
To apply painter's tape in corners, start by running the first piece of tape along the baseboard of the wall, through the corner, and up the perpendicular wall. Burnish the tape firmly with a putty knife, then cut along the crease with a sharp utility knife, thus...
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 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 parts of an HVAC system require tape?
An HVAC system is comprised of an air supply side and an air distribution side. The air supply side pulls air in, it is conditioned either to warmer or cooler, and then pushed back out the air distribution side. This air has been conditioned. Sealing this system is...
Why do some HVAC tapes have red print on them?
HVAC tapes that have red print on them are typically UL listed tapes. But, this must be verified by reading the print on the tape - just because the tape has a red print doesn’t ensure that the tape is UL listed. The red print often provides pertinent details about...
What tools are needed to apply HVAC tape?
Many HVAC tapes are pressure sensitive, which means pressure must be applied to ensure proper adhesion - delivering a permanent, lasting bond to the surface it is applied to. Failure to apply proper pressure during application of the tape could result in tape failure,...
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...
What are UL 181A-P and UL 181B-FX?
In some HVAC applications, UL listings are critical for code compliance. This means the HVAC tape used has the proper adhesion and exceptional shear strength needed to stay in place effectively for the life of the HVAC system. In order to receive a UL 181 listing,...
How do I choose the right HVAC tape for the job?
Tape is a commonly used tool in HVAC work. But it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. There are many options to choose from. Take a look at this video for a few tape characteristics to keep in mind as you select the best tape for the job....
What’s the difference between HVAC tape backings?
HVAC tapes are typically constructed with an adhesive and a backing. Some may also require a liner to ensure the tape doesn't stick to itself. Each part of the tape's construction plays a vital role in its performance. Backings aren’t just for aesthetic appeal. They...
What are the differences between adhesives on HVAC tapes?
With so many HVAC tapes to choose from, picking the right tape for the job is important for success. Among the considerations when selecting is the type of adhesive, which can impact the tape's stickiness, usage, durability and more. Let's break down the differences...
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.