What is Water Activated Tape & How Does it Work?
Water activated tape has grown in popularity over the years due to its unmatched adhesive strength and reduced environmental impact. You’ve probably seen it used on parcels you’ve recently received! But what is water activated tape, and how does it create such a strong bond? In this guide, we answer these questions and show you just how effective water activated tape can be for any business.
- What is Water Activated Tape?
- How Does Water Activated Tape Work?
- Key Features of Water Activated Tape
- The Environmental Impact of Water Activated Tape
- Seal Your Parcels Securely with Schott Packaging
What is Water Activated Tape?
Water activated tape, also known as Gummed Tape, is a paper-based tape with an adhesive layer that can be activated with water. Once activated, it can be applied to your selected parcel and create a permanent seal that cannot be broken without damaging the tape or box.
Depending on your needs, water activated tape can come in either reinforced or non-reinforced variations. Reinforced water activated tape offers a stronger seal for heavier parcels through the added layer of fibreglass or polyester fibres. However, non-reinforced tape is just as effective as the reinforced variation as it still offers a strong bond, perfect for more lightweight items.
How Does Water Activated Tape Work?
This eco-friendly packing tape option is the go-to for many businesses and it is easy to see why, with its adhesive properties that create a stronger bond than plastic tapes. Water activated tapes are made up of different layers that contribute to this adhesion. Reinforced water activated tapes are composed of reinforcement fibres sandwiched between two layers of kraft paper with a layer of adhesive on one of the kraft paper sheets. Non-reinforced water activated tapes are similar, just without the reinforcement fibres.
The adhesive layer alone creates a strong bond between the tape and the cardboard box. The adhesive is usually made from starch activated by water. When water is mixed with the adhesive layer, the starch particles dissolve, making it sticky. The tape can then be applied to the parcel, forming a strong bond as it dries. The adhesive also slightly seeps into the fibres of the cardboard box, producing a stronger bond than most plastic tapes can offer. This is what makes it difficult to remove the tape without damaging the box or tape.
Key Features of Water Activated Tape
The ability to create a secure seal is not the only prominent feature of water activated tapes. This tape also provides other benefits, such as:
Faster Order Packing
With the growing demand for products, businesses must streamline their order packing processes to dispatch orders efficiently. Water activated tapes can help with this as they offer a faster method for sealing parcels. Especially when used with an automatic water activated tape dispenser, water activated tape is measured to a desired length, cut, and activated all by the press of a button. Employees can then apply the tape to the parcel so it is securely sealed and ready for shipping.
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Packing Tape for Your Business to streamline your packaging process.
Tamper-Proof Seal
One of the greatest things about water activated tape is the strong bond it creates between the tape and the cardboard box. Once activated and dried, the tape cannot be removed without damaging the seal or the box itself. This means parcels cannot be tampered with without showing clear signs of damage. Once removed, the tape is no longer sticky, so the parcel cannot be simply resealed! This built-in tamper-proof seal makes water activated tape the ideal choice for packaging.
Ideal for Heavy Parcels
With reinforced water-activated tape, a little goes a long way. A small strip provides a sturdy sealing solution for heavy parcels. Combined with the strong adhesive bond, this tape ensures heavy items do not fall out of their packaging, unlike plastic tapes that may require several layers before the parcel is secure.
Increased Productivity
Plastic tape is traditionally used with a tape dispenser, and it can cause wrist injuries if used for prolonged periods. With water activated tape, you have the option of using an automatic dispenser that does all the measuring, cutting and activation in one go. This can lead to an increase in productivity as employees are less likely to become fatigued and will have a more positive work environment.
The Environmental Impact of Water Activated Tape
Recyclable materials are becoming increasingly important in today’s world. Water-activated tape can help your business achieve this. Made from Kraft paper and a starch-based adhesive, water activated tape is biodegradable, recyclable and repulpable, unlike the alternative of plastic tape. This makes it a great solution for businesses wanting to use packing tape efficiently to reduce the amount of unrecyclable waste they create, positively impacting the environment.
However, reinforced water activated tape has some non-recyclable properties, but it can still be recycled if it is attached to the parcel it came with. As long as most of the cardboard box can still be recycled, having some non-recyclable elements, such as the reinforcement fibres of this tape, should not pose an issue. You should always check with your local council before recycling items to ensure you are following their guidelines.
For more information about eco-friendly packaging, check out our guide on Eco-Friendly Packaging Options for Sustainable E-Commerce Businesses.
Seal Your Parcels Securely with Schott Packaging
Experience the benefit of securely sealed parcels without the negative impact on the environment with water activated tapes from Schott Packaging. Choose from non-reinforced and reinforced gummed water activated tape for tamper-proof sealing solutions. We also offer a range of eco-friendly packaging products so you can upgrade the rest of your packaging to match the environmentally friendly properties of our gummed tape. Shop Water Activated Tape and other Eco-friendly Packaging Solutions today for FREE UK Delivery on orders over £50!
FAQs
How does water activated tape work?
Water activated tape has a starch-based adhesive that is activated by water to create a strong bond between the tape and the cardboard box. Once activated, the starch is dissolved, producing a sticky layer that adheres to the box. The adhesive also penetrates into the fibres of the cardboard box. This bond becomes permanent when dried.
Do you need a machine for water activated tape?
You do not need a machine to use water activated tape. You can simply use scissors and a wet sponge to cut and adhere the tape onto your desired parcels. If you are packaging a lot of items, we do recommend you use either a manual or automatic water activated tape dispenser as this will save time and make the process that little bit easier. Why not take a look at our range of water activated tape dispensers here?
How do you remove water activated tape?
Water activated tape cannot be removed without damaging the box or breaking the seal. This means you can easily see if the parcel has been tampered with as it will leave behind some form of damage. Additionally, the tape cannot be simply reattached to the box once removed as it is no longer sticky.
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