3 Ways to Determine the Quality of Custom Printed Packing Tape

At its core, custom packing tape must accomplish two goals, and the first is purely functional. Whether it’s custom printed or not, packing tape needs to securely fasten your package so that its contents remain intact throughout its shipping journey. The second goal of custom packing tape is all about branding. Whether you want to build brand awareness or promote customer loyalty, customized packing tape is a marketing tool known to pay dividends for large and small businesses alike.

Successfully achieving these goals comes down to one central factor: the quality of your packing tape. Tape that isn’t up to snuff can compromise the integrity of your package – and your brand. And, the results could get costly, from damaged and lost goods to poor first impressions.

So, how can you ensure that your custom packing tape will live up to your expectations? Consider these three quality factors:

1. Adhesive concentration
2. Grade
3. Raw materials

Continue reading to learn more about determining the quality of your custom packing tape.

Adhesive concentration

The first way to tell if your custom packing tape is up to par is to check the adhesive concentration, which describes the amount of adhesive per square inch. In general, look for a high concentration – the higher, the better. A heavily concentrated tape will have more “grab” and strength to keep your package safely sealed.

Grade

Grade refers to a tape’s thickness. Low-grade, thin products are not durable enough to withstand the printing process, so look for more robust options to produce a high-quality print worthy of your brand. Higher grades are also better equipped to keep packages sealed, especially on heavier loads. Our tapes come in several grades, starting at the middle of the road, and working up.

The following overview highlights three of our top sellers to give you an idea of what to expect from each grade of tape.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene custom printed tape is the most common custom printed tape, easily recognizable by the crackling sound it makes when pulled off the roll. This tried-and-true product is suited exclusively for corrugated cardboard and is available in three grades:

• 1.9 mil: While considered middle range within the tape industry, 1.9 mil is our beginning base grade. We wouldn’t even consider printing on a lower thickness.
  
  
• 2.5 mil: This tape grade offers a higher concentration of adhesive and a thicker base of tape.
  
  
• 2.9 mil: Our highest polypropylene tape grade offers the same concentration of adhesive as 2.5 mil but on an even thicker base.

PVC

Not many printers offer PVC tape, but we include it in our offerings to ensure we have a wide range of quality tape products. One of the advantages of PVC custom printed tape is that you can apply it to a broader range of materials than polypropylene. PVC also comes with a natural rubber adhesive and excellent strength characteristics. It is available in two grades:

• 2.2 mil – At a middle range of 2.2 mil, PVC is already a high-quality product.
  
  
• 3.2 mil – At 3.2 mil, PVC becomes even higher quality with increased adhesive concentration and a thicker base.

Paper

Our custom printed paper tape is sourced exclusively in the USA. It differs from polypropylene and PVC because it features fiberglass threads that provide tensile strength. As the tape grade increases, the more threads and a higher concentration of threads per inch.

• 240 grade – While 240 is our base grade, it is the middle range within the industry.  We would not consider printing on a lower grade.
  
  
• 260 grade – The 260 grade features a slightly higher paper weight for heavier duty applications.

If you’re not sure which grade to choose, reach out to a custom packing tape expert or refer to the package weight guidelines on our product pages.  

Raw materials

Finally, consider the source and caliber of the raw materials when determining the quality of your custom printed packing tape.  If the raw materials are second-rate, the performance and print quality will suffer. The best way to achieve superior quality results is to choose a distributor with access to reputable suppliers. We work with established, experienced, and knowledgeable tape suppliers in North America and Europe that source the highest quality raw materials they can procure. Our insistence on obtaining high-quality products helps us create an excellent print for your brand.

High-quality custom printed packing tape can contribute to a well-secured package and favorable brand image, but that doesn’t mean that you need to break your budget to reap these benefits. Since 1985, we’ve aimed balance affordability and effectiveness, providing budget-friendly branded packaging solutions that give you a competitive edge. Contact us to learn more about affordable high-quality custom printed packing tape designed to make you shine.