Parcel Tape

Buy cheap parcel tape in transparent and brown - What is it and what is it used for?

A roll of parcel tape is suitable for sealing and securing cardboard boxes, especially in the shipping area. It enables the bundling as well as fixing of items and ensures that the shipment arrives cheaply and safely at the recipient. It is therefore an indispensable tool for professional packing and shipping of goods. Adhesive tapes come in various types, which differ in their material, adhesive, length, width and colour, such as parcel tape transparent or brown. The quality of an adhesive tape is determined by its tear strength, handling, material thickness, adhesive strength, stretchability and temperature resistance. The choice of suitable parcel tape also depends, among other things, on the nature of the object to be transported. Other aspects that play a role when buying parcel tape are the transport and storage conditions of the package. Here you can learn more about the different types of packaging tape and find out where you can buy parcel tape cheaply and which tape is best used to secure parcel boxes for shipping.

You want to order brown and transparent package tape? Then you should pay attention to the following characteristics.

If you are wondering: Where can you buy packing tape? Then you have come to the right place. Parcel tapes are usually plastic. They are made of polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). There are also adhesive tapes made of paper and those reinforced with glass fibre filament. The plastic adhesive tapes made of PVC and PP usually have a release coating that ensures easy unrolling. The carrier film is provided with an adhesive that holds the subsequent adhesive layer, permanently to the parcel tape Plastics such as hotmelt and acrylate are also used as the adhesive compound, while the adhesive layer is often natural rubber.

Conventional parcel tapes measure a total of 66 metres in length. However, there are differences in the width of the respective adhesive tapes. The average tape width is 50 millimetres, although wider versions with 75 millimetres or narrower versions with 38 millimetres are also available. We also offer packaging tapes with different material thicknesses. Common tape thicknesses range from 45 microns (my) to 50 microns.

In addition to the different dimensions and material thicknesses, the unwinding behaviour is also an important property to look for when buying a parcel tape. A basic distinction is made between packaging tapes that are easy to unwind and those that are difficult to unwind. At the same time, there are packaging tapes that make hardly any noise when unrolling and are very quiet. Other models are specially designed for use with a parcel tape reel. As different as the unwinding properties of the individual types of tape are, they do not provide much information about the adhesive strength and adhesion of parcel tapes.

Apart from technical properties, appearance is also an important component for a parcel tape. You can buy brown, white and transparent parcel tape as ordinary parcel tape. Clear packaging tape is useful, for example, when shipping labels need to be protected by a thin film of adhesive and still remain visible. You should buy clear packaging tape if you value the colour of the shipping box. On a colourful cardboard box, a brown parcel tape can be visually distracting and a clear tape would be better. Apart from brown, white and transparent parcel tape, adhesive rolls with warning stripes or lettering are used. These standard prints indicate to the supplier that the contents of the parcel are fragile, such as glassware, or that it contains dangerous goods. In this way, the item to be shipped is even better protected against transport damage. In addition, some manufacturers offer custom printing on parcel tapes, as these are increasingly used by companies as advertising space. Whether company logos or advertising slogans - a printed package tape allows you to set individual accents when packaging products and is guaranteed to catch the eye. There is an adhesive tape to master every situation. So buy parcel tape where? At verpacking.com.

An overview of the backing materials PP and PVC

While it is rather a minor matter for the average consumer whether the carrier material of the packing tape is made of polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride (both a form of plastic), it is of great importance in the professional shipping and logistics industry. Both carrier materials belong to the thermoplastic polymers, which can be deformed under the influence of heat. These types of plastic are therefore also called "thermoplastics".

What are the advantages of the plastic material polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for parcel tape?

The plastic PVC goes back to the patent of the German chemist Fritz Klatte in 1912. The production of PVC requires the raw materials chlorine and ethylene. Ethylene is obtained from the thermal splitting of the fossil fuel crude oil. Chlorine is obtained by means of chlor-alkali electrolysis of rock salt. The chemical synthesis of chlorine and ethylene produces the substance polyvinyl. With the help of a polymerisation process, polyvinyl is converted into polyvinyl chloride. PVC proved most useful during the First World War, where it replaced precious raw materials. This plastic is characterised by its weather resistance, which is why it is now indispensable in the production of floor coverings, window profiles and pipes.

Packaging tape made of PVC is extremely tear-resistant, stretchable and easy to form, which is why it adheres to all types of cardboard. The material has a high tear strength and enables excellent adhesion to recycled cardboard. Secure packaging of heavy cardboard boxes weighing over 25 kilograms is made possible by the high load-bearing capacity of polyvinyl chloride adhesive tapes. In addition, PVC packaging tape scores with its water resistance and its enormous resistance to heat and cold. On top of that, polyvinyl chloride packaging tape can be written on with a felt-tip pen and is extremely resistant to ageing. Therefore, it is not only optimal for shipping heavy deliveries, but also the long-term storage and sealing of items in cardboard boxes is no problem. Although the high quality of PVC parcel tape is reflected in the product price, it is an indispensable working tool for professional shipping companies and is highly valued. Parcel tape, made of the plastic material polyvinyl chloride, also has negative aspects. It has a greater impact on the environment than other types of tape, especially when it comes to recycling and disposal.

Is polypropylene (PP) a better alternative to polyvinyl chloride?

Polypropylene, unlike PVC, is produced from the polymerisation of the colourless gas propene, which is a by-product of petroleum processing. Developed in 1951 by the American chemists John Paul Hogan and Robert Banks, it is one of the most widely produced plastics in the world, along with polyethylene. Compared to many other types of plastic, polypropylene is very robust and resistant to solvents and acidic or alkaline chemicals. The main application of PP is in the production of packaging material.

As a carrier material for parcel tapes, polypropylene is more environmentally friendly than polyvinyl chloride, as the latter decomposes itself when disposed of in the open air and thus does not produce any plastic waste. It also has a lower price, which is why it is so popular. At the same time, PP packaging tape is also available in a transparent version, which is not the case with PVC adhesive tapes. Incidentally, the choice of adhesive coatings is more extensive for parcel tapes made of polypropylene film. Compared to PVC shipping tape, PP packaging tapes have a lower load-bearing capacity, which is why they are mainly recommended as a low-cost alternative for light to medium-weight shipping items weighing less than 25 kilograms. Polypropylene is also less resistant to cold and heat than PVC, which means it is not well protected against extreme transport and storage conditions.

How to tell the difference between PP and PVC tape

You already have adhesive tape at home and want to know whether the parcel tape plastic is made of PVC or PP? Unfortunately, saying that one is transparent and the other is not doesn't work here. From a purely visual point of view, both types of tape are hardly distinguishable, but there is a simple method to determine the material of the tape. Where can you use this method? Almost everywhere. All you need is a ballpoint pen and a tabletop. Attach the packaging tape to the edge of the table and pull it a few centimetres. You should stretch the packing tape as tight as possible. Then apply a little pressure to the taut tape with the tip of the biros. If the tape tears immediately or completely, it is made of polypropylene. If, on the other hand, the biros only causes a small hole on the tape, the backing film is made of the parcel tape plastic polyvinyl chloride. Another method to find out the backing material of the tape is its behaviour when stretched. To do this, pull a section of the adhesive tape across its width and observe any changes in colour. The PP tape for parcels retains its original colour, while shipping tape made of PVC turns milky when stretched.

Which adhesive variants are available for plastic parcel tapes?

Just as different as the variants of plastic parcel tapes are their adhesives. The adhesive layer of a packaging tape primarily determines its adhesion and tack. The chemical structure of the adhesive compound influences the durability, environmental compatibility and service life of the parcel tape. When considering the right adhesive material, it is also important to know whether it is tolerant to temperature fluctuations, waterproof and UV-resistant.

Natural rubber in adhesive tapes for parcels as a more environmentally friendly alternative

Natural rubber is one of the most popular adhesives for parcel tapes and is usually used as an adhesive coating for PVC carrier films, although PP tapes with natural rubber adhesive compound are not uncommon. This high-quality adhesive has excellent adhesion properties, bonds quickly to a wide variety of surface structures and can therefore be used with all types of cardboard. It has a high resistance to temperature fluctuations, which means it can be considered as an adhesive material for long shipping distances and extreme transport circumstances. In addition, this type of adhesive rubber is a natural product made from the latex of the rubber tree. In order for the rubber compound to be used as an adhesive for parcel tapes, synthetic resin is added. The solvent added in the manufacturing process is then reused, which is why the production of natural rubber adhesive is considered a sustainable process. Thus, natural rubber is one of the most environmentally friendly variants of adhesive. It can be easily recycled, especially in combination with polypropylene films. In this respect, natural rubber adhesive is the first choice when it comes to environmentally friendly packaging material. Another plus point for tape packs with natural rubber is that they are quiet and easy to peel off the tape roll. The few disadvantages of natural rubber include its reduced tolerance of UV radiation and its naturally occurring colour differences. On top of that, natural rubber adhesive can turn yellow after a while.

Acrylic adhesive for polypropylene tapes

Acrylic adhesive is found exclusively in adhesive tapes for packages with polypropylene backing film. Its advantages are its easy unwinding, its resistance to ageing and its resistance to moisture and UV rays. This adhesive has optimal transparency properties, which makes it the ideal solution for transparent parcel tapes. However, if you compare its adhesive strength with natural rubber, it is not as high as that of natural adhesive. Acrylic adhesive therefore needs a little more time to bond firmly to the surface to be glued. In addition, acrylic adhesive has a lower tolerance to very low and high temperatures. Because this form of adhesive may contain conventional solvent, it is less environmentally friendly than the natural rubber adhesive variety. However, how environmentally friendly or harmful adhesives made of acrylate are ultimately depends on their ingredients. A distinction is made between two different types of acrylate adhesives. The environmentally friendly form of acrylate adhesive is based on the addition of water-soluble dispersion agents, while the more environmentally harmful variant contains petroleum-based solvents. In the trade, it is mainly the first and environmentally friendly version of acrylate adhesives that is common, which is just as true for parcel tapes with this form of acrylate coating.

Artificial rubber for short distances - hot melt adhesive or "hot melt".

Hot melt adhesive is produced on the basis of synthetic polymers and belongs to the artificial rubber types. Hot melt adhesives are also called "hot melt adhesives" because they are applied to the substrate in a liquid state. This eliminates the need to add solvents based on environmentally harmful petroleum. Hot-melt adhesive is extremely easy to peel off from the package tape roll, which is why the use of these adhesives for package tapes for manual unwinding aids or carton sealing machines is obvious. Hot melt adhesives adhere quickly to surfaces and have excellent tack. Parcel tape with hotmelt adhesive reliably seals cardboard boxes of light to medium weight and is made for short shipping distances. Hotmelt is not only designed for applying adhesive tape to cardboard, but also to steel and other metals. Since this type of adhesive leaves little to no residue when peeled off, it is ideal for use on glass surfaces. A minus point of package adhesive tape with hotmelt adhesive is that it usually causes loud unrolling noises. In addition, hotmelt is sensitive to temperature fluctuations, which speaks against its use in extreme heat and cold. For this reason, packaging tapes with other adhesives should be used for long transport routes that span different climatic zones. In terms of its resistance to ageing, hotmelt adhesive has the disadvantage that it turns yellowish after a certain period of time. This makes it rather unsuitable for long-term storage.

Resistant, tear-proof and optionally transparent - How to recognise a quality parcel tape roll

You can recognise a high-quality roll of parcel tape by several characteristics. Firstly, the parcel tape should stick firmly to the cardboard and not slip. This is known as package tape with good "shear strength". Secondly, it is important that the parcel tape is resistant and has good tear strength. Only in this way can deliveries be moved safely from one place to another. Another indication of the quality of a packaging tape is a long service life. Inferior products become porous after a certain time and tear easily. Choosing the right tape packages should be based on the nature of the box. If you are shipping packages with heavy contents, you should buy stronger parcel tape for them. If the box is very thick, the contents of the package weigh more than 25 kilos or it contains hazardous goods, packaging tapes with filament reinforcement should be considered. If the shipping box has important graphics printed on it, you should buy clear shipping tape. If the shipping box is not important, you can simply use brown or another colour of packaging tape. How well shipping tape sticks also depends on the surface. It is relevant how clean, dirty, porous, rough or smooth the surface is that is to be covered with shipping tape. This is because the highly effective adhesive becomes ineffective if the substrate is unsuitable. The same applies to the adhesive technique used for parcel tapes. Only if parcel tapes are attached using the correct technique can they develop their full adhesive power. If you want to buy cheap parcel tape, it is useful to have different colours to choose from, as well as parcel tape that is transparent. Because different colours have different prices. This way, the parcel tapes can be matched to the parcel at a low price.

Anyone who frequently sends parcels should consider the appropriate packaging technique. Buying cheap is often not the best solution when it comes to packaging tape. Although there are rolls that appear inexpensive at first glance, if they tear, slip and do not last long, they can turn out to be more expensive in the end. A somewhat higher-priced, but at the same time high-quality tape is therefore in most cases the more economical and environmentally friendly decision, as you need less material for a good adhesive and sealing performance.