How to Choose the Best Packaging Tape
Posted by Melissa on 6/15/2013 to
Packaging
Choosing the best type of tape to secure your package is not difficult, if you can answer the following questions about the item you are shipping.
• How heavy is the item?
• How fragile is it?
• By what method will it be shipped?
• How long will the item remain in the package?
Cost is also a consideration, though tape is often the most economical ingredient of the package. Since it is vital for keeping your packaged item secure, it is not wise to shop for it by price alone.
The main characteristics of packaging tape are the width, thickness, adhesive type and the kind of dispenser used. Weigh those characteristics against the previous questions about the package.
For small, lightweight packages that are going through the mail, a narrower tape, less than two mils thick with a hot melt glue adhesive is appropriate. Heavier packages that will be in transit for less than a couple of weeks should use a tape with similar adhesive. The tape itself should be between two and three mils thick and two inches wide. Especially for heavier items over 50 pounds, use a packing tape with embedded filaments.
If you are carrying the package yourself, you can use a lighter duty tape. If the package is being shipped, especially for a long distance, use a commercial grade tape, however. Rough handling through multiple depots can put a strain on any packing tape.
If the package is going to be in transit more than two weeks, or if it is going into storage, then pick a tape with an acrylic adhesive. This type of adhesive will withstand a large range of temperature and remain sealed for years.
Finally, if you already have a tape dispenser, then by all means choose a tape size that fits what you have. If you do not have a dispenser, especially for the wider tapes, seriously consider purchasing one. It is a one-time expense that pays for itself over and over by saving you time and waste.
• How heavy is the item?
• How fragile is it?
• By what method will it be shipped?
• How long will the item remain in the package?
Cost is also a consideration, though tape is often the most economical ingredient of the package. Since it is vital for keeping your packaged item secure, it is not wise to shop for it by price alone.
The main characteristics of packaging tape are the width, thickness, adhesive type and the kind of dispenser used. Weigh those characteristics against the previous questions about the package.
For small, lightweight packages that are going through the mail, a narrower tape, less than two mils thick with a hot melt glue adhesive is appropriate. Heavier packages that will be in transit for less than a couple of weeks should use a tape with similar adhesive. The tape itself should be between two and three mils thick and two inches wide. Especially for heavier items over 50 pounds, use a packing tape with embedded filaments.
If you are carrying the package yourself, you can use a lighter duty tape. If the package is being shipped, especially for a long distance, use a commercial grade tape, however. Rough handling through multiple depots can put a strain on any packing tape.
If the package is going to be in transit more than two weeks, or if it is going into storage, then pick a tape with an acrylic adhesive. This type of adhesive will withstand a large range of temperature and remain sealed for years.
Finally, if you already have a tape dispenser, then by all means choose a tape size that fits what you have. If you do not have a dispenser, especially for the wider tapes, seriously consider purchasing one. It is a one-time expense that pays for itself over and over by saving you time and waste.
