Sealing parcels: Your guide to the right adhesive tape

Which type of adhesive tape is suitable for which box? Where do the price differences in adhesive tape come from? These tips will help you find the right packing tape and save money when sealing parcels.

It's the stickiness that counts

Why does adhesive tape stick and still unroll? The secret is pressure-sensitive adhesives: they are permanently sticky and can adhere to various materials.

However, pressure-sensitive adhesives only retain their permanent tack at room temperature. They are less fond of cold and heat, becoming brittle or even tearing. It is best to store adhesive tapes at room temperature, protected from light and in a dry place. Adhesive tapes have different carrier surfaces, such as paper, film or fabric, which are coated with pressure-sensitive adhesives.

If you frequently seal parcels, for example for online retail, you already know that there is a lot to consider when choosing the right packaging tape and sealing packaging. We have the answers to the most important questions to help you keep an overview.

How do you save money when sealing parcels?
What different types of adhesive tape are there?
Why are there price differences between adhesive tapes that look the same?

Quick tips: Dos & don'ts when sealing

Save money when sealing

Use wide adhesive tape instead of narrow tape. This is quicker and cheaper in the long run because you need less material.

Unfavourably glued

Multiple gluing is not safer and does not leave a good impression with customers.

The right technique

With the right adhesive technology, you can seal parcels quickly, securely and neatly.

Seal packages: The differences in adhesive tape

Acrylate, hotmelt, rubber

The adhesives used

Adhesive tapes made of polypropylene (PP) are produced chemically with acrylate adhesive or hotmelt adhesive (artificial rubber). They initially have good immediate adhesion, but are not very durable. This means that they can detach from the cardboard after 2 to 3 days. Adhesive tape made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is often combined with natural rubber. It does not have high adhesion at the beginning, but bonds strongly with the substrate after 1 to 2 days and can no longer be removed easily (high cohesion).

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Advantages and disadvantages

Adhesive tapes in check

PP adhesive tapes are tear-resistant and inexpensive, but very loud when unrolling. That is why there are low-noise adhesive tapes. These have been chemically treated so that they do not make any noise when unrolled. PP adhesive tapes are best used for sealing light and medium-weight parcels. PVC adhesive tapes are ideal for your heavy cardboard boxes: they are robust and extremely tear-resistant, but require a little more force when unrolling.

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1 to 5 Euro

The cost of adhesive tapes

At first glance, it is not easy to recognise the differences in packaging tapes and to understand the sometimes large price differences. The prices depend on the material used: For example, you can get thin, rather low-quality PP adhesive tapes with little adhesive cheaply for just under 1 euro. PVC adhesive tapes with a thicker layer of natural rubber cost 4 to 5 euros. We recommend TESA as a particularly high-quality adhesive tape.

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Seal parcels correctly with adhesive tape

Up to 12 kg

2-strip fastener

The lid/bottom seal is suitable for low transport loads. Cover both sides of your parcel with a long adhesive strip.

Over 12 kg

Double L fastener

The 6-strip seal is ideal for heavy cardboard boxes and long transport routes. Apply the adhesive tape as a "double L" over the four short edges of your packaging.

From 25 kg

Double T-closure

Suitable for very high transport loads. Seal the base and lid slots by covering the edges with adhesive tape.

Practical & fast

Box with self-adhesive closure

You've never sealed anything so quickly: In the Model Online Shop you will find practical boxes with self-adhesive seals in various sizes. This solution is particularly efficient for e-commerce.

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Adhesive tape 1x1

Of course, you need different adhesive tape for large, heavy parcels than for small, light ones. But which one exactly? This overview will help you find the ideal adhesive tape for your needs.

PP adhesive tape

Polypropylene adhesive tape is tear-resistant and is ideal for sealing light and medium-weight parcels. As a low noise version, it is also wonderfully quiet when unrolling. PP adhesive tape has a high immediate adhesion, but not good permanent adhesion, i.e. it peels off after some time.

PVC adhesive tape

Adhesive tape made of polyvinyl chloride is very durable and tear-resistant. Ideal for heavy cardboard boxes and for storing sealed parcels. The adhesive strength develops after 1 to 2 days and lasts for years thanks to the natural rubber adhesive.

Adhesive paper tape

Paper adhesive tape is tear-resistant and can be unrolled quietly. With its carrier, recyclable kraft paper, it is also environmentally friendly. This adhesive tape is suitable for light to medium-weight parcels.

Filament adhesive tape

This adhesive tape is glass fibre reinforced and therefore very tear-resistant. It has high immediate and permanent adhesion and must be used when shipping hazardous goods.

Crepe adhesive tape

You have probably already used this adhesive tape for masking when painting. It is easy to unroll, can be labelled, torn off by hand and removed without leaving any residue.

Wet adhesive tape

This tape can only be used in conjunction with a suitable device: It is moistened by the machine and then applied. The tape is recyclable, insensitive and also adheres to dusty surfaces.

Fabric tape

If you need a particularly durable adhesive tape, choose a tape reinforced with textile fabric or tear-resistant plastics. You can also use fabric tape for sealing or insulating.

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