How to Use Packing Tape Efficiently
Packing tape is the final step in the packaging process. It can make all the difference in ensuring your parcel arrives at its destination in one piece. But using too much packaging tape is ineffective and applying parcel tape in the wrong places can lead to an unsecure parcel. So, what is the right way to use packing tape? In this guide, find out how to apply packing tape to ensure your parcels stay sealed and how utilising packing tape guns might make your packaging process more efficient.
- Packing Tape in a Nutshell
- How to Choose the Right Packing Tape
- How to Use Packing Tape Efficiently
- How to Use a Packing Tape Gun
- Find Your Ideal Packing Tape with Schott Packaging
Packing Tape in a Nutshell
Packing tape is specially designed to seal boxes and cartons. It is wider than your typical tape to offer enough coverage for the flaps of cardboard boxes and provides a stronger bond between the tape and the box’s surface. Your parcels must be sealed before postage or storage to ensure your items don’t fall out of the box or become damaged during transit.
Types of Packing Tape
There are many types of packaging tape, each with its own use. From crossweave tapes to printed tapes, here’s a breakdown of how you can use different types of packing tape to seal your parcels.
- Crossweave Tape: This heavy-duty tape combines an adhesive layer with lateral and longitudinal glass fibres to add an extra layer of security to your parcels. It is high strength and tear resistant, ideal for protecting valuable items.
- Standard Polypropylene Tape: This is your standard packing tape. These wide tape rolls offer the perfect amount of security and protection for your items.
- Gummed Water Activated Tapes: These packing tapes are slightly different as they only become sticky after water is applied. As the next generation of packing tapes, this eco-friendly option offers excellent bonding whilst remaining fully recyclable. For more information about water-activated tapes, take a look at our guide.
- Paper Packing Tape: An eco-friendly alternative, paper packing tape is just as strong as other packing tapes and adds water—and solvent-resistance to your parcel’s seams.
- Hot Melt Packing Tape: Typically used in industry, Hot Melt Tapes provide a secure, long-lasting seal for cartons, parcels, and packets.
- Printed Tapes: The ideal 2-in-1 for sealing and labelling parcels, printed tapes can clearly label your parcels with “FRAGILE”, “FRAGILE GLASS”, and “HANDLE WITH CARE”.
How to Choose the Right Packing Tape
It goes without saying that you should choose a high-quality reinforced packing tape to seal your parcels with. However, you should also think about the level of security you need and more before choosing your packing tape. Here are a few things to think about when it comes to choosing the right packing tape for your parcels:
- Thickness: The thicker the tape, the more durable it will be. This is because it will require more force to break the seal. We recommend at least 3mm thick for the best security.
- Width: Wider tapes are often easier to apply, as you have a greater chance of sealing the seams of a box securely. At least 2in is best for even coverage across each side of the box flaps.
- Length: The longer the tape, the more use you will get out of it. This could be a way to save money on your packaging process.
- Adhesive: The strength of your tape is crucial to ensuring your box remains sealed throughout the parcel’s journey. It must be strong enough to hold the box closed but not too strong not to be able to remove it. A water-activated tape could be a good option.
How to Use Packing Tape Efficiently
We’ve all been guilty of wrapping metres of tape around a parcel in hopes of securing it and ensuring the item is intact when it arrives at its destination. However, this is ineffective and proves to be wasteful rather than helpful. To get you started, take a look at our step-by-step guide on sealing your parcels effectively.
- Make sure you are using packing tape. Unlike masking tape and sellotape, Packing tape offers a strong bond between the box and the tape itself. This ensures the tape does not peel away during transit while also making it easy to remove upon arrival.
- Use a dispenser instead of your hands: A packing tape gun may be the best solution for sealing your parcels faster and more effectively, especially if you work in an industry that requires a lot of parcel sealing.
- Use the H method: This is probably the best way to seal your boxes securely, as each edge and corner is sealed in the process.
- Tape along the long centre seam first: Place the tape at one end of the centre seam and extend past the edge by 2/3 inches. Tape the excess onto the side of the box to provide support.
- Next, cover the outer edges with tape: This forms the classic H shape on the box, ensuring each side is.
- Make sure to tuck any remaining tape onto the corners of the parcel: The corners of your box need protecting, too! Simply use the remaining tape and fold it around the corners of the box to form a greater bond.
- Ensures all seals are securely taped over with no risk of opening: Each seam and edge should be carefully inspected to ensure they are sealed with at least 2 to 3 inches of extra tape on each side.
How to Use a Packing Tape Gun
Packing guns are useful tools, especially for those who package parcels frequently. This contraption means you no longer have to go back and forth between scissors and tape. You can easily seal your parcel with one swoop! For those with less experience with packing tape guns, here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Load the packing tape roll onto the dispenser reel by ensuring the sticky side faces the floor.
- Feed the start of the tape into the dispenser. The sticky end should be pulled through the dispensing slit.
- Some packing tape guns have small adjustable screws that allow you to centre the reel when needed to adjust the resistance and tension of the tape.
- You can begin sealing your boxes once you have threaded the tape through.
- Ensure the surface of your box is clean and free of any dust or debris, as this will affect the bond between the box and the tape.
- Stick the end of the tape to a surface and pull the tape dispenser along the centre seam of the box. This swift motion should give you a straight line with no creases.
- When you have reached the end of the seam, tape down the box a few inches before cutting off.
- To cut off the tape, simply tilt the packing tape dispenser towards the surface of the box. The cutting teeth will cut the tape.
- Now repeat this process for the edges of the box to create the H shape.
Find Your Ideal Packing Tape with Schott Packaging
Schott Packaging has a solution for you, no matter what type of packing tape you are looking for. From Crossweave Tapes to Gummed Water Activated Tape, Printed Tapes and more, we have a range of packing tape for you to choose from. You can also find Packing Tape Dispensers and Packing Guns to help you make your packing process that little bit easier. Securely seal your parcels with Schott Packaging today!
FAQs
How to properly tape a package?
The best way to tape a parcel is to use the H method. This method covers all the seams of a box whilst also accounting for the corners. First, you should place tape down the centre seam of the box. This will secure the rest of the box in place. Remember to leave a couple of inches of tape on each side of the box to ensure the flaps of the box are stuck down.
You should then tape down the box’s two side seams and fold any excess tape around the corners. This will reinforce the corners, adding some extra protection where needed. If you have applied the tape correctly, you will notice a H shape has been formed.
How do you make packing tape stick better?
Dust is one reason tape might not stick securely to your box. You should make sure your box is clean of dust and debris before you begin applying the tape, as this will affect the bond between the box and the packing tape.
Is brown packing tape better than clear?
There is no real difference between brown and clear packing tape other than the colour. Both offer a great sealing solution, providing enough adhesion to seal your parcels effectively. Whether you choose brown or clear packing tape is completely up to you; just remember there is no difference in the adhesive properties of the two!