A carton is only as secure as the tape holding it shut. The wrong tape lifts at the corners, splits in the cold, or won't stick to recycled cardboard — and suddenly you've got damaged stock and re-taped boxes. Here's how to choose packaging tape that holds first time, every time.
Start with the adhesive
The adhesive matters more than almost anything else, and there are three common types:
- Acrylic — a great all-rounder. It holds up across temperature swings and long storage, resists yellowing, and is cost-effective for everyday sealing. The Premium Acrylic Hand Tape, Clear, 48mm x 100m 55mu is a solid workhorse, and the Low Noise OPP Acrylic Hand Tape unwinds quietly for busy pack benches.
- Hot-melt / rubber adhesive — grips fast and sticks hard, especially to recycled cardboard and in cold or dusty conditions. Try the OPP Rubber Adhesive Packaging Tape, Clear where you need instant, aggressive hold.
- Vinyl (PVC) — thicker, tougher and quieter, with strong adhesion for heavier cartons. The Premium Vinyl Rubber Packaging Tape, Clear is a good example.
Hand tape vs machine tape
Hand tape is applied with a handheld dispenser and suits most pack benches — for heavier cartons, a thicker option like the Heavy Duty Hand Tape, Clear, 48mm x 100m (also in brown) gives extra hold. If you're sealing high volumes, machine tape run through a case sealer is faster and more consistent — browse the machine tape range. See all options in packaging tape.
Width, thickness and colour
For general cartons, 48mm is the standard width — wide enough to seal securely without waste. Heavier or larger boxes benefit from thicker film (measured in microns) for extra strength. Clear gives a clean finish, brown blends with kraft cartons, and coloured tape like Red Vinyl Packaging Tape lets you colour-code orders, departments or destinations at a glance.
Match the tape to the conditions
Where and how a carton is stored changes what will stick:
- Cold storage or chillers — choose a rubber/hot-melt adhesive rated for low temperatures; standard acrylic can lose grip in the cold.
- Recycled or dusty cartons — rubber adhesives bite into rough, recycled surfaces better than acrylic.
- Long-term storage or export — acrylic resists yellowing and holds over time, so seals stay put for months.
- Quiet workspaces — a low-noise tape spares your team the constant screech of a dispenser.
The quick answer
For most businesses, a quality acrylic hand tape covers everyday sealing. Switch to a rubber/hot-melt adhesive for cold storage, recycled cartons or heavy boxes, and move to machine tape once volumes justify a case sealer. Browse the full packaging tape range — trade accounts get tiered pricing on the tape your team gets through every day.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between acrylic and hot-melt tape?
Acrylic holds well across temperatures and resists yellowing over time; hot-melt (rubber) adhesive grips faster and sticks better to recycled or cold cartons.
What width of packaging tape should I use?
48mm is the standard for general cartons. Wider or thicker tape helps on large or heavy boxes.
Why does my tape keep lifting off the box?
Usually a mismatch between adhesive and surface or temperature — recycled or cold cartons often need a rubber/hot-melt adhesive rather than acrylic.
