Two essential types of box sealing tape are used in most commercial settings, including e-commerce applications: water-activated packing tape and water-based acrylic packing tape. While both perform the same basic functions — building, protecting and sealing boxes for shipment or storage — there are key differences that make either one a better choice in certain scenarios.
Water-Activated Packing Tape usually has a surface texture similar to that of kraft paper. It requires the consistent application of water or a wetting solution to activate the dry adhesive on the “working” side of the tape. This type of packaging tape is typically reinforced with criss-crossing fiberglass threads between the layers, giving it a net-like effect that provides consistent strength under pressure. Water-activated packing tape is often used in industrial or high-volume applications. The matte, opaque surface of this type of tape makes it a perfect place to add company branding, such as logos, messages, or direct advertising slogans. Amazon uses this type of tape almost exclusively for its package shipments, which number an incredible 2.5 billion+ per year.
PROS:
-The opaque appearance of this tape’s surface makes it an ideal vector for logos, messaging, and slogans.
-The kraft paper finish used for most tapes of this variety blends in smoothly with traditional cardboard boxes, providing a homogeneous finished look on packed boxes.
-The water-activated adhesive on the working side means the dry tape does not adhere to itself and cause messes or tangles.
-Automated water-activated paper packing tape dispensers can dispense and apply exact strip lengths to boxes, providing a most consistent cost expectation for forecasting and expenses.
CONS:
-The water or solution needed to activate the adhesive may require packing activity to be restricted to a single area of the work floor.
-This tape type does not swap easily between machine and manual usage.
-This type of tape must be applied to a clean and relatively porous surface such as cardboard. It can’t be used over older applications of plastic tape, which means reusing boxes may be difficult.
-Water-activated packing tape requires a water-dispensing tape machine or process to work efficiently. While it can be cut and applied by hand, doing so can be very time-consuming and a poor fit for a fast-paced work floor.
-This tape cannot be used on plastic-type packages, such as Tyvek mailers and plastic bubble wrap-lined envelopes.
Water-Based Acrylic Packing Tape features a smooth, shiny, plastic-like outer surface and pressure-sensitive adhesive on the “working” side of the tape. This type of packaging tape is more familiar to the average consumer, as it is the variety sold in stores alongside moving supplies such as bubble wrap and boxes. Because of the acrylic-based adhesive used, the bond the tape delivers to the box actually grows stronger over time, making it an excellent choice for items being stored or shipped over long periods of time.
PROS:
-The translucent appearance of this tape means that it can be used over barcodes and other visual indicators on a box or label, provided the tape is applied evenly and without wrinkling,
-A wide variety of colors are available in this style of packing tape, allowing shippers to visually color-code boxes based on packing date, contents, destination, and more as they are packed if desired.
-The ready-to-use adhesive applied to the tape requires no wetting or solution in order to stick, and it can be easily ported and swapped between manual use, tape gun use, and countertop tape dispenser use.
-The adhesive bond grows stronger over time and holds in adverse temperature or weather conditions.
-When properly applied, water-activated packing tape forms a tamper-evident seal. It cannot be cut and resealed without being obvious, particularly if the tape has been brand-customized.
CONS:
-While some water-based acrylic packing tapes can be customized with logos or messages, they’re often hard to read against the box, or they may overlap and look messy.
-The individual applying the tape must determine the tape’s length when sealing a box, so the tape can be easily wasted. “H” style sealing practices that close all edges can also waste tape.
-The sticky working adhesive can adhere to itself, causing surface-layer box damage and/or tape waste.
-Water-based acrylic packing tape requires several layers or strips of tape to properly seal a box, racking up costs. It’s also difficult to apply tape evenly for long-strip or “360-degree” sealing of boxes.
Article author: Sue Su
Key words: water based acrylic packing tape, water-activated packing tape, box sealing tape,