Tape is the last step in the packaging process and one of the most important: it closes the box, protects the contents and communicates your brand. But not all tapes are the same. The type of adhesive, the material, the roll format and the core decide whether your box arrives closed, whether the machine runs without jams and whether your brand looks professional.
At Fontanet Group we supply every kind of packaging tape: clear, coloured, for automatic machines, for hand use and custom printed with your logo. This guide explains how they differ so you know what to order, and for the specific details of your case, our sales team will advise you with no commitment.
Types of tape by material
The material is the backing of the tape: it sets the strength, the look and how the tape behaves on the box. We supply polypropylene, PVC and kraft paper tape.
Polypropylene (PP) tape
- The most widely used in industrial packaging.
- Light, strong and economical.
- In clear, brown or tan, and colours.
- Good adhesion on most cardboard boxes.
- For hand use and for automatic machines.
PVC tape
- Stronger and with more grip than PP.
- Adapts better to irregular or textured boxes.
- For shipments that need a more secure seal.
- Usually costs somewhat more than PP.
Kraft paper tape
- The eco-friendly option: a paper backing.
- Natural, premium look.
- Can be custom printed.
- For brands that want to communicate sustainability.
As a general rule, kraft suits companies with sustainability policies or that want a polished presentation, and polypropylene suits intensive use, where mechanical strength is what matters.
Types of tape by adhesive
Two tapes made of the same material can behave very differently depending on the adhesive. It is the choice that has the greatest influence on whether the box is still closed when it reaches its destination.
Acrylic adhesive
- The most versatile and common.
- Performs well in extreme temperatures and humidity.
- Resists UV rays and the passage of time, which makes it the choice for long-term storage.
- For general use, in both hand and machine application.
Hot melt adhesive
- Strong instant adhesion: sticks fast and firmly from the first contact.
- Performs well on clean cardboard at normal temperatures.
- Thanks to that instant grab, it works well on high-speed lines.
- Copes less well with extreme temperatures than acrylic.
Solvent adhesive
- High instant adhesion and great strength.
- Designed for demanding conditions: cold, humidity and difficult surfaces such as recycled cardboard.
- For when the seal simply cannot fail.
- Available for hand and automatic use.
Not sure which adhesive you need? Tell us which boxes you close, how heavy they are and where they are stored, and we will recommend the right tape.
WhatsApp Packaging: 649 943 962Tape for automatic machines or for hand use
The same tape is made in two very different roll formats. Ordering the wrong one is the most common cause of jams in the case sealer or of constant roll changes at the packing station.
Hand tape
- Short roll; the usual market format is 66 metres.
- 76 mm core, the standard.
- Applied with a hand dispenser.
- As a guide, for low or medium volumes, below about 100 boxes a day.
Machine tape
- Long roll, usually around 900 to 1,000 metres.
- 76 mm core, the standard for case sealers.
- Designed to run without jams in semi-automatic and automatic case sealers.
- For high volumes, from about 100 boxes a day.
- Clear is the most common on machines.
| Feature | Hand tape | Machine tape |
|---|---|---|
| Metres per roll | Short roll (usual: 66 m) | Long roll (usual: 900-1,000 m) |
| Core | 76 mm | 76 mm |
| Indicative volume | Fewer than 100 boxes a day | More than 100 boxes a day |
| Cost per metre | Higher | Lower |
| Applied with | Hand dispenser | Case sealer |
| Roll changes | Frequent | Infrequent |
Lengths and volumes are indicative. The exact width and length depend on your dispenser or on the tape head of your case sealer: tell us the model and we will confirm the format.
What our tape data sheet says
Our standard polypropylene tape, in acrylic or solvent, is ideal for packing and sealing light parcels of up to 20 kg, with resistance to UV rays and the passage of time. To get the most out of it, these are the recommendations on the data sheet:
- Apply the tape with a case sealer at above +10 °C.
- Apply light pressure to the tape without stretching it.
- Acrylic polypropylene can be stored for one year.
- Consider automating the process as volume grows.
For hand use, the metal dispenser takes tapes up to 50 mm wide, with an adjustable brake and an ergonomic grip for intensive use. More details on the data sheet for industrial packaging tape.
Available colours and cores
Tape colour is not just about looks: it helps organise the warehouse and lets anyone identify a shipment at a glance.
- Clear: the most widely used. Leaves the box and its labels fully visible.
- Brown or tan: discreet, blends in with the cardboard box.
- White: a clean, professional look.
- Colours: red, blue, yellow, green or black, to code destinations, identify batches or flag delicate shipments.
- Custom printed: with your company’s logo and colours (covered in the next section).
Cores
The core is the cardboard tube the tape is wound on, and it has to fit your dispenser or your machine. The 76 mm core is the standard, suitable for most hand dispensers and case sealers. We also supply other diameters depending on the customer’s needs and machinery: if your equipment uses a different one, ask us.
Availability of each colour and core depends on the material and format; we will confirm it with your quote.
Custom printed tape: your brand on every box
Every box that leaves your warehouse is a chance to show your brand. Custom printed tape turns a simple seal into an advertising medium that travels along the entire supply chain.
What is custom printed tape?
- Packaging tape printed with your company’s logo, name or design.
- Printed on polypropylene or kraft paper tape.
- Up to 3 print colours, with your logo, a slogan or instructions such as ‘fragile’ or ‘this way up’.
- Every time your box travels, your brand travels with it.
Why customise your tape?
Strengthen your brand
Your logo visible on every parcel, every shipment and at every delivery point.
Professionalism
A company that customises its tape conveys reliability and attention to detail.
Security
If someone opens the box and reseals it with other tape, it shows: your tape cannot be swapped for just any tape.
Differentiation
Your box stands out from the rest in the warehouse, in transit and at the point of sale.
Advertising on the move
Every pallet and every shipment becomes an advertising medium that travels the entire supply chain, at no extra cost per impression.
Minimum order: approximately 360 rolls. A quantity designed for companies that ship regularly and want to professionalise their packaging.
How to order, step by step
You send us your logo or design
We prepare a digital mock-up
You approve the design
Production and delivery
Your brand goes out on every box
Want your own custom printed tape?
Get in touch with your logo and we will prepare a mock-up with no commitment. Minimum quantity: approximately 360 rolls.
Send us your logo via WhatsApp or to emfo@fontanetgroup.com and we will prepare a digital mock-up.
Case sealers: the machine that closes your boxes
There comes a point where the tape is no longer the problem, the labour is: boxes closed at different speeds, crooked strips and a packing station that holds up the whole line.
When do you need a case sealer?
- If you close more than about 100 boxes a day by hand, a semi-automatic machine pays for itself quickly.
- If volume is high and continuous, in the region of 500 boxes a day or more, full automation is worth considering.
- If hand sealing is slow, uneven or causes complaints, it is time to mechanise, whatever the volume.
These figures are indicative: the real tipping point depends on the box format and how the warehouse is organised.
Types of case sealers
Semi-automatic with manual adjustment
- The operator feeds in the box and adjusts the machine to its size.
- The machine applies the tape.
- For medium volumes with few formats.
- Economical and easy to use.
Semi-automatic with automatic adjustment
- Adjusts itself to the size of each box.
- The operator only has to feed it in.
- Faster when formats are mixed.
- For medium and high volumes.
Automatic in-line
- Boxes arrive on a conveyor, with no operator at the station.
- For high-output lines.
- Combined with a case packer when you also want to automate box forming and filling.
- Can be integrated into MARFONT’s end-of-line systems.
What we have in our catalogue
All machines are supplied with on-site installation, operator training and our own technical service. You can see the rest of the catalogue in packaging and wrapping machinery.
Need a case sealer for your line? Our MARFONT team will advise you on the right model and the tape it needs.
WhatsApp Machinery: 676 249 600How to choose the right tape?
Four questions are enough to narrow down the tape. With the answers, your quote is right first time.
1. Hand or machine?
- Hand: short roll and 76 mm core.
- Machine: long roll and 76 mm core.
2. What kind of box?
- Standard plain cardboard: acrylic polypropylene, the most versatile.
- Clean cardboard on a fast line: hot melt, for its instant grab.
- Recycled cardboard, cold or humidity: solvent.
3. What do you want to communicate?
- Just sealing: clear or brown.
- Identify by colour: coloured tape.
- Show your brand: custom printed tape.
4. Long-term storage?
- Yes, months in the warehouse: acrylic, which withstands the passage of time.
- No, immediate dispatch at normal temperature: hot melt.
Still unsure?
Tell us which boxes you close, how many a day and with which dispenser or machine, and we will tell you which tape to order.
Frequently asked questions about packaging tape
What tape do I need for an automatic case sealer?
What is the minimum order for custom printed tape?
What is the difference between acrylic and hot melt adhesive?
Do you sell coloured packaging tape?
Which tape core do I need?
Does Fontanet also sell case sealers?
How long does a custom printed tape order take?
Can I use PVC tape in an automatic case sealer?
The full range of tapes and adhesives
Besides packaging tape, we supply labels, mesh ties and bolduc tape for fruit netting.
See tapes and adhesivesAfter the tape, the pallet
A well-sealed box can still arrive damaged if the pallet travels loose. We explain how to choose the stretch film and corner protectors that hold it in place.