Self-adhesive tape

Five things to keep in mind when choosing self-adhesive tape

Choosing self-adhesive tape may seem like a trivial decision for your entire packaging process, but it is really just as an important element of the repackaging strategy, as the package and subsidiary materials you choose to keep your products protected. The self-adhesive tape, as part of the secondary packaging, ensures that your goods will arrive safely and in excellent commercial form at their final destination.

The wrong choice of packaging self-adhesive tape can lead to damage, loss of the product, and facilitate malicious actions by third parties in the supply chain, and hence damage to your reputation and good relations with your customers.

From solvent to acrylic adhesives, from low to high temperatures and everything in between – there are many factors to keep in mind when choosing the right self-adhesive tape:

Type of self-adhesive tape: The self-adhesive tape types are available in different categories, depending on the different thickness levels of the carrier film and the adhesive. These categories provide different retention strength and tensile strength. When considering exactly what tape to buy, be sure to take into account the size of the carton, the weight of the contents, as well as the production environment, storage and delivery in which the tape will be used. When changing any of these criteria, it is important to re-analyze the selected self-adhesive tape.

Environment: When purchasing self-adhesive tape, be sure to consider the production and distribution environment (warehouses, transport units, etc.). Things like temperature and environmental conditions, such as humidity and dust, significantly affect the sealing quality and should be taken into account when choosing self-adhesive tape for your application.

Packaging material:Think carefully about what you are sealing. There are many types of polymer, paper, corrugated cardboard packings, others, made of recycled paper, from single-layer to multi-layer with thick or double wall, printed or polished. Each of these by-packaging materials has its advantages, but it also has its disadvantages when it comes to presenting the tape under the suitable application conditions.

Method of application: There are two ways to lay the self-adhesive tape: manually – by the help of a dispenser or automatically – with specialized machines for closing cartons. In a manual process, properties such as easy unwinding, good initial adhesion to the surface and a strong adhesive carrier to prevent stretching or unsticking are crucial. The silent “quiet” self-adhesive tape for manual use is also gaining serious popularity for these applications, in which the operators are large in number and work in close proximity to each other. It is a good idea, in case of automated operations, to focus on easy unwinding. So the risk of tearing the tape due to stretching during application can be reduced. The types of self-adhesive tape that offer instant gluing are especially preferred for applications that require high productivity and fast palletizing of cardboard packages.

There are two ways to lay the self-adhesive tape: manually – by the help of a dispenser or automatically – with specialized machines for closing cartons. In a manual process, properties such as easy unwinding, good initial adhesion to the surface and a strong adhesive carrier to prevent stretching or unsticking are crucial. The silent “quiet” self-adhesive tape for manual use is also gaining serious popularity for these applications, in which the operators are large in number and work in close proximity to each other. It is a good idea, in case of automated operations, to focus on easy unwinding. So the risk of tearing the self-adhesive tape due to stretching during application can be reduced. The types of self-adhesive tape that offer instant gluing are especially preferred for applications that require high productivity and fast palletizing of cardboard packages.

Main types of self-adhesive tape – self-adhesive tape

Packing self-adhesive tape – duct tape. Undoubtedly, this is the most popular and widely used type self-adhesive tape. It is no coincidence that the variety in this group of strips is greatest – the different combinations of bearing film and the adhesive layer (solvent, hot-melt, acrylic, etc.). This also predetermines the different applications, such as sealing envelopes/bags, correction of torn paper products, sealing different in weight and size boxes, etc.
The adhesive layer determines the properties of the wrapping tape, and therefore we will consider the main features of adhesives:

Acrylic self-adhesive tape – as the name suggests, this type of self-adhesive tape uses acrylic adhesive, water-based. This self-adhesive tape is used in a number of industries because of its ability to connect well with many varieties of surfaces. Stable at relatively high humidity and wide temperature range, it forms a strong and sustainable connection, but it takes a little more time to do this than other types of self-adhesive tape. The main advantages and disadvantages of acrylic self-adhesive tape are:

Advantages:

Resistant to aging (does not turn yellow with time)

Significant strength at higher temperatures

High resistance to UV and humidity

Very good choice for packaging goods with a long shelf life

Disadvantages:

Low initial bonding – it takes longer to achieve the final bond strength.

Low tack on polymer / plastic substrates.

Leaves traces of glue after peeling

Eco-solvent self-adhesive tape – this self-adhesive tape has a modified acrylic adhesive. It has the typical advantages of acrylic tape, as it has significantly improved adhesion to polymer surfaces. It also has improved resistance to chemicals and achieves final bond strength faster. When durability and stability determine success or failure, eco-solvent tape is often the best option.

Hot-melt self-adhesive tape – this tape is with an adhesive, based on synthetic rubber. It has excellent initial adhesiveness and quickly builds a strong bond with the element on which it is glued. It is applicable in a wide range of temperatures and many different industries. It has excellent adhesion to plastic substrates such as polyethylene and other polymers, as well as good moisture resistance. This tape can also be applied on slightly damp substrates and even on slightly soiled surfaces. The main advantages and disadvantages of hot-melt self-adhesive tape are:

Advantages:

Strong initial bonding – it takes a short time to achieve the final bond strength

Excellent adhesion to rough and polymer surfaces

Good cost of packaging

Disadvantages:

Moderate resistance to higher temperatures

Low resistance to aging (but better than Solvent tape)

Leaves traces of glue after peeling

Solvent self-adhesive tape – this self-adhesive tape has an adhesive, based on natural rubber. It is recommended for recycled or corrugated paper, as well as for low temperature applications. In general, the properties of natural rubber offer many advantages. The main distinctive feature of this type of adhesive tape, however, is the exceptional instant stickiness – not only on standard surfaces, but even on bases with low surface tension, such as various plastics and other polymers. Briefly, there is a strong bond with minimal pressure and minimal contact time. Typical advantages and disadvantages of solvent self-adhesive tape are:

Advantages:

Excellent adhesion to all substrates

Strong initial bonding – it takes a short time to achieve the final bonding strength.

Leaves no trace after peeling

Solvent self-adhesive tape is an ideal choice for more short-term use and preferably indoors.

Disadvantages:

Low bonding strength at high temperatures (above 70 °C)

Moderate resistance at elevated temperatures Low resistance to aging

Low resistance to environmental influence – UV and humidity.

Other types of self-adhesive tape, based on the different applications for which they are intended, are the following:

Textile self-adhesive tape – This is a tape with a textile backing. It is commonly used in the entertainment industry (concerts and stage performances) to hold cables and similar ones. The glue leaves little residue and is easily removed from surfaces.

Installation self-adhesive tape /scotch self-adhesive tape, duct self-adhesive tape – Consists of a polymer base layer and a strong synthetic adhesive. It is often used by people who need a universal and strong Installation self-adhesive tape/ duct self-adhesive tape tape that can be easily torn off by hand.

Paper self-adhesive tape – It is used mainly in construction for painting, in order to protect surfaces. It usually consists of a paper backing layer as well as a weak and easy to remove glue.
Double-sided self-adhesive tape – It has an adhesive layer on both sides. It is used in fastening activities and fitting of carpets, rugs, linoleum, etc. flooring.

Reinforced self-adhesive tape / Filament self-adhesive tape – this type of tape generally has a polymer carrier layer and strong acrylic or hot-melt glue. But there are also built-in fiberglass threads that give exceptional strength – in length or in length and width. It is used for strengthening loads and packages that are subjected to heavy loads.

In conclusion, we will often say that the choice of self-adhesive tape is considered a minor decision – just a small part of the packaging of your products. Therefore, it is not uncommon for manufacturers or traders to be willing to “get away with it” and stop at a lower price. But you may find yourself in a situation where for a lower price you get a tape of lower quality. And quality is extremely important to ensure good bonding and efficient operation of operators, and hence of your organization as a whole.

Quality self-adhesive tape may be a little more expensive in the short term, but the long-term effect of using better, more reliable tape will eventually reduce damaged production, processing products, reduce discarded tape and increase the productivity of your team!

Five things to keep in mind when choosing self-adhesive tape
Main types of self-adhesive tapes – self-adhesive tape