What Is Carton Sealing Tape Used For

Carton sealing tapes securely close corrugated boxes for shipping and storage. Colored box sealing tapes allow you to seal and color-code packages simultaneously. Printed tapes add branding and messaging while sealing. Water activated tape creates a permanent bond directly with the box fiber for maximum tamper evidence and holding strength.

Carton Sealing Tape Selection Guide

Carton Sealing Tape Type Comparison

Standard Widths and Lengths

Roll Widths

The most common hand roll widths are 2 inches and 3 inches. Automated packaging lines increasingly use 4-inch and 6-inch wide tape for faster sealing coverage. A 3-inch wide tape often results in a more effective seal and uses less tape than multiple strips of 2-inch tape.

Roll Lengths

Carton Sealing Tape Thickness Guide

Film tape thicknesses typically range from 1.4 mils to 3.5 mils. Thickness is measured in thousandths of an inch (mils) in the USA and is most accurately measured with a digital caliper.

What Is the Strongest Carton Sealing Tape

Water activated tape (WAT) is the strongest carton sealing option because it permanently bonds with the corrugated box fiber rather than just adhering to the surface. For pressure sensitive tapes, hot melt rubber adhesives provide the most aggressive initial tack on recycled and rough board surfaces. Spending a few extra cents per roll on a heavier tape is a better insurance policy than resealing failed packages in the field.

Is Carton Sealing Tape Waterproof

Some carton sealing tapes are water resistant. BOPP film backings naturally resist moisture. The best way to ensure water resistance is to select a tape with a high-quality adhesive that prevents moisture from wicking between the tape edge and the box flap. Acrylic adhesives generally outperform rubber adhesives in prolonged moisture exposure.

Leading US Carton Sealing Tape Manufacturers

Industry consolidation has resulted in fewer US manufacturers than in prior decades. The leading BOPP tape manufacturers today are 3M, Intertape, Shurtape and STA. Private label brands including Staples, Uline, Duck, Rhino, CWC, Pro Tapes and others are produced by these same core manufacturers.

How to Seal a Box with Carton Sealing Tape

1. Start with a high-quality, properly sized corrugated box — a box that fits the contents prevents shifting and reduces stress on seams
2. Use void fill to eliminate dead space inside the box before sealing
3. Fold the two smaller flaps first, then the two larger flaps
4. Apply tape using a handheld dispenser — dispensers create the tension needed for the strongest seal
5. Run tape across the full length of the box and extend at least 2 inches down each side
6. For reused boxes or heavy loads, apply additional tape along all box seams to reinforce weak points