Product packaging is something every business operating an online or physical store must consider. Not only does the tape protect the products, but it can also serve as a marketing strategy.
Many businesses don’t consider the importance of packaging tape to a business. You’ll find many using a plain tape to seal their boxes, not realizing the opportunity they are wasting to market their product. Read on and discover more things you didn’t know about packaging tape.
You Can Print Your Company Information on the Tape
An often overlooked benefit of product packaging is the ability to print your company information on the tape itself. This can be done either directly onto the tape or via a label printed with an inkjet printer; both methods give you a great way to show off your branding and get more eyes on it. If you don’t know how to go about it, Tapejungle has a custom printed tape guide you can use.
You can subcontract a company like Tapejungle to supply you with pre-printed packaging tape with the company logo, product id, and government regulation and ensure they are using your colors. On the other hand, you can use inkjet printing to include details such as the date and time of manufacture and expiry.
Permanent Adhesive is Better than the Removable Adhesive Bond
When sealing boxes for shipping, your big question is whether to use permanent adhesive or removable adhesive bonds. In this case, it’s best to use permanent adhesive, particularly if you want a secure seal on your packages.
This type of adhesive bond holds stronger than removable adhesives so that your products stay securely in place during transit and storage. The permanent adhesive tape also ensures that any contents inside are not tampered with or opened without permission.
However, the removable adhesive bond is the best option if the products must be opened in transit and resealed. You can look for adhesive tapes that retain proper adhesion even after removal. An excellent example of removable adhesive tape is applied on products when moving them within the warehouse since they are later removed when they are no longer needed.
Tape Can Be Applied Using a Machine or Hand
When applying tape for packaging purposes, there are two ways to do it; by machine or hand. Using the tape manually with an applicator gun takes more time but gives better accuracy when sealing boxes and other containers such as bottles and jars.
On the other hand, machines have been designed specifically to quickly apply tapes without compromising quality or speed. So whichever method you decide upon will depend mainly on your needs. For instance, if you have a lot of packages to wrap, a machine-applied would be the best as it’s fast and precise.
Packaging Tape Has a Shelf-life
Like any other adhesive, packaging tapes have a shelf-life that varies depending on their composition and storage conditions. Note that hot, cold, dry, and wet conditions significantly impact your tape’s lifespan.
Typically, most adhesives will last for up to two years in ambient temperatures but may degrade if exposed to high heat or humidity for extended periods. Therefore, it’s important to check expiration dates when purchasing new tapes so that you don’t end up with expired material that won’t hold properly when used.
Packaging Tape Can Be Used for Tamper-resistance
Using packaging tape as part of a tamper-resistant seal helps prevent tampering and theft during transit or while stored away in warehouses or stores.
You should always use strong, permanent adhesive bonds so that it takes real effort to open your packages without causing damage. This helps keep products safe from fraudsters trying to break into them while in transit. This is because the tape leaves a colored residue when removed, indicating that the package has been tampered with.
You Must Push the Tape Down for it to Hold Properly
When applying packaging tape, it’s important to press down on it firmly so that the adhesive bonds properly with the surfaces of your package. This helps ensure a secure seal and prevents air from entering or escaping through gaps or tears in the tape.
You can use an applicator gun if necessary; just be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this could cause damage to fragile items inside.
Packaging Tape is Not a One-size Fits All
Different packaging tapes, such as acrylic, hot melt, and water-activated tapes, are designed for different purposes; some will provide better protection against moisture or dust than others. When choosing which type of tape is best suited for your needs, consider the following factors:
- How long do you need the product sealed and stored before it reaches its destination
- What kind of environment will it be exposed to during transit
- Whether extra security measures are required (like tamper-resistant seals)
- The type of package being sealed
For instance, if you need to seal recycled cartons, you will need a tape with a higher wet out because the carton has fiber with deeper grooves that need more adhesive to penetrate, thus creating a tighter bond.
You Must Consider Temperature in the Shipping Environment
It’s important to consider temperature when packing products using tape; most adhesives perform differently at extreme temperatures, either higher or lower than normal. For instance, hot melt adhesives can become brittle in humid conditions and lose their adhesive properties. Similarly, vinyl tapes should not be used for packing products that will be stored or shipped in extreme heat as they may come undone due to the heat.
Recyclable Paper Tape
Paper tape is a great eco-friendly option for product packaging. It’s made from recycled paper, making it both biodegradable and recyclable, perfect if you’re looking for an environmentally friendly way of packaging your products. The strength of these tapes also makes them ideal for heavy-duty applications such as sealing boxes shut or bundling items together securely before shipping.
There are Different Grades of Packing Tape
Packaging tapes are created unequally; different grades are available depending on the application. Low-grade tapes might work perfectly fine when wrapping gifts but won’t stand up to heavier loads, so make sure you choose the right one for your needs. If you need help determining which tape best suits your job, feel free to ask store staff, who can point you in the right direction.
Final Thoughts
Product packaging using tape is a great way to ensure that your products stay secure during transit and storage. However, choosing the suitable packaging tape to seal your product is more challenging because of the many types of tapes in the market and their varying purposes. Therefore, before settling on a particular tape, do consult an expert.
