Choosing the Right Tape for Every Application

Ever had a carton split open in transit, or tape that just won't stay stuck to a recycled box? Nine times out of ten, the tape isn't right for the job. Picking the right one keeps your cartons sealed, makes packing quicker and stops you wasting tape.

The secret is that every tape has two parts working together:

• The adhesive is the sticky layer. It controls how well the tape grabs and how it copes with cold, dust and rough surfaces.
• The backing is the tape itself. It controls how strong the tape is and how many metres you get on a roll.

Choose the right adhesive and the right backing, and your cartons will stay shut no matter where they're headed. Here's how.

Part 1: Pick Your Adhesive

There are three main adhesives to choose from.

Acrylic Adhesive

Acrylic is the most widely used adhesive and is standard on most polypropylene tape. It stays clear over time and performs in both warm and cold conditions, including chillers and freezers. Tip: seal cartons at room temperature first, then move them into cold storage for the best hold.

Use it for:

• Day-to-day carton sealing
• Stock heading into chillers or freezers
• Cartons that will sit in storage for months

Rubber Adhesive

Rubber adhesive sticks the moment it touches the carton. It's ideal for recycled cartons, which have a rougher surface that can make other tapes peel away.

Use it for:

• Cartons made from recycled cardboard
• Solving tape that won't stay stuck
• Fast packing lines where tape needs to grip straight away

Natural Rubber Adhesive

Natural rubber gives the same quick, strong grab as rubber adhesive and handles dusty, rough or recycled cartons with ease. You'll often find it on PVC tape.

Use it for:

• Tough, heavy-duty jobs
• Dusty or uneven carton surfaces
• Packing in colder areas

Part 2: Pick Your Backing

Polypropylene (PP) Tape

PP is the budget-friendly all-rounder. Because it's thin and light, each roll holds more tape, and it unwinds easily by hand or in a carton sealing machine. It usually comes with acrylic adhesive, or rubber adhesive for recycled cartons.

Use it for:

• Light and medium cartons
• Carton sealing machines and high-volume packing
• Getting great value without losing reliability

PVC Tape

PVC is a thicker vinyl tape with more strength than PP. It unwinds quietly and smoothly, which packers love. The extra thickness means fewer metres per roll, so save it for the cartons that really need it.

Use it for:

• Heavy or overpacked cartons
• Hand packing, thanks to its quiet, easy unwind
• Cartons that get handled roughly on the road

Paper Tape: The Sustainable Choice

If sustainability matters to your business, paper tape is the one. It's made from paper, so the whole carton, tape and all, can go straight into cardboard recycling. Nothing to peel off and nothing to separate.

It's tough too. Paper tape bonds firmly to cardboard, so any attempt to remove it is easy to see. For best results, store and use it in dry conditions.

Use it for:

• Meeting your sustainability goals
• Online orders, where customers appreciate eco-friendly packaging
• Making it obvious if a carton has been opened

At a Glance: Which Tape Do I Need?

Tapes for Special Jobs

Custom Printed Tape: Elevate Your Brand Experience

Every carton you send is a chance to make an impression. Custom printed tape elevates plain packaging into something that looks professional and memorable, with your logo and colours on show before the box is even opened.

It's practical as well. Add handling instructions for your team and couriers, and the printed design makes it easy to tell if a carton has been tampered with.

Use it for:

• Branding every carton that leaves your site
• Elevating your customers' unboxing experience
• Instructions like "Fragile" or "This Way Up"

Masking Tape

Masking tape sticks well enough to do the job, then peels off without leaving a mess. It's not designed for sealing cartons, but it's useful all over the warehouse.

Use it for:

• Labelling racking, bins and stock
• Marking zones on the floor
• Painting and short-term holds

Double-Sided Tape

With adhesive on both faces, double-sided tape joins two surfaces together and stays hidden.

Use it for:

• Putting up signs and displays
• Fixing inserts or items inside packaging
• Giving gift and retail boxes a neat, clean close

Top Tips for Taping Like a Pro

• Look at the carton first. Tape that keeps lifting is often a carton problem, not a tape problem. Recycled cartons need rubber adhesive.
• Think about weight. The heavier the carton, the stronger the backing should be. PVC is a good choice.
• Compare price per metre. A cheap roll with fewer metres can end up costing you more.
• Get the width right. 48mm works for most cartons. Choose wider tape for big or heavy ones.
• Grab a dispenser. You'll tape faster, get a tidier seal and use less tape.
• Use an H-seal on heavy cartons. Run tape down the middle seam, then across each end to form an "H".

Round Out Your Packing Station

While you're ordering tape, make sure your packing area has everything it needs:

• Tape dispensers
• Cartons in your most-used sizes
• Void fill to keep products from moving
• Labels and marker pens

Need a Hand Choosing?

Explore our full range of adhesive tape online. If you're an existing customer, your Primepac account manager is happy to help. New to Primepac? Reach out and we'll find the right tape for your business.