Last Updated on August 24, 2022 by rabiamuzaffar
Packing tapes are nothing new in the shipping industry. Companies use adhesive tapes to secure packages. So, you can understand why having quality packaging tape is so important. There are many factors to consider while buying packing tapes for your brand.
To give you a clearer idea, we have created a basic guide to adhesive tapes.
What is adhesive tape?
Also known as pressure-sensitive tape or sticky tapes, these tapes are coated with adhesive on the backing material (paper, plastic film, cloth, metal foil). They are pressure-sensitive which makes them strong and long-lasting.
Some of these tapes have removable liners to prevent the adhesive from sticking in the hand. Some of them also have layers of primer, easy release material, filaments and likewise.
The good thing about PSA or pressure-sensitive adhesives is that they don’t require a secondary solvent to activate. No water, heat or other elements are needed for the adhesive to bond with the material.
What makes the tape stick to the packaging material?
PSA tapes are tacky at room temperature. Thus, they adhere well to any material with just the pressure of fingers. Rubber or resin is the oldest type of natural adhesive found in the market.
There are specific features of these adhesives that makes them stick to any material.
- As opposed to water-sensitive tapes or acrylic tapes, these adhesives have high initial tack.
- Rubber-based adhesives are usually based on butadiene- styrene, butyl, or polyisobutylene. This makes them high-flexible and can bond anywhere.
- Epoxy resins usually have high tensile strength, which means they have low shrinkage. This helps in chemical or temperature change.
The only concern of rubber or natural adhesive is that they are prone to oxidisation. High exposure to UV rays and other light sources can break down the adhesive, thus causing the bond to weaken.
Common types of PSA tapes
Pressure-sensitive adhesives create strong tapes. But like many things, there are a couple of variations in the adhesives.
Acrylic adhesive-
Acrylic adhesive is a transparent type of adhesive that is stable to oxidisation. This feature of adhesive tape gives an advantage to these tapes over natural PSA. However, an acrylic adhesive is much more expensive and takes significant time to cure.
Silicon adhesive-
These are known for their longevity. Silicon can be used on the skin. So, silicon adhesive has many uses in the medical field, electrical industry, and prosthetic industry. Silicon adhesive also has high flexibility and resistance to extremely high-temperature change. But they are the most expensive type of PSA in the market.
Synthetic rubber-
based adhesive- This is an alternative to natural rubber. They are often more effective than their natural counterpart, providing higher adhesion and tear-resistance. They are mostly used to seal cartons and packages.
Are adhesive packing tapes better than glue?
Well, the answer depends on the quality of the tapes and the requirement. The right kind of adhesive tape can last more than screws with a lot less investment.
Apart from that, glue is messier and takes a lot of time to process. High-quality packing tapes from Packaging Midlands will do the job quickly and effortlessly.
Moreover, adhesive tapes are found in multiple sizes, thicknesses, and bonding properties. Even on surfaces like glass, plastic, these tapes can be used.
How to choose the right type of adhesive tape for your brand?
We get this question a lot from our buyers.
For start-ups, it can be difficult to land on a packaging tape that will be the perfect fit. Almost everyone has a tape failure story. Adhesive technology has only gotten stronger and more versatile. So, companies nowadays have a lot of options.
It boils down to three things—the job, the quality, and the temperature conditions. If you must parcel heavy-duty products, we advise going for silicon-based or, synthetic-rubber tapes. They are more resistant to weather conditions and mishandling. For smaller products, naturalfibre is the way to go.
It is best to talk to your distributors before you enter a deal. Ask them about their packaging supplies, the variations they provide. A lot of them agree to give some demo products. Try them before you order in bulk.
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