These days people are getting more and more environmentally aware than ever before. Due to this, we have seen the trend of sustainability and eco-friendly packaging going viral on several social media platforms. 

This has fuelled this debate of paper vs plastic tape again. But which tape is better between them? Are different from each other? We will see and discuss this in our blog.

In this blog, we will talk about packaging tape and how is it different from the regular tapes that we have in homes. Then we will proceed to compare their pros and cons. After which, we will see which one is better than one another.

If you are interested in knowing which tape performs better then stay with us till the end of this article.

What does packaging tape mean?

Packaging tape is an industrial tape which has a stronger backing material as well as stronger adhesive as compared to the regular tapes or stationary tapes that we find in our houses or offices.

As these tapes look similar they are difficult to differentiate, it can get confusing for people but the quality of the packaging tape really speaks for itself.

What is the purpose of packaging tape?

In the above section, we have talked about what packaging tape is and how it is different from the tape that we found in our homes.

In this section, we will talk about the purpose why we need packaging tape for e-commerce and packaging business. 

• Protects the box 

As a person who is running a business and a customer who is waiting for their parcel the last thing they want is to see broken or damaged.

A customer has to return it which is a hassle, not to mention a bad unboxing experience. The seller they have to bear the losses which is a losing deal from both sides. 

• Building awareness 

It is very important that customers and people know about your brand. As no one buys from a company that is unknown to them. One of the great ways to build brand awareness is to use a custom printed tape that has your brand’s and company’s logo.

As this is seen as a stepping stone to create a strong relationship between a brand and a customer.

• Prevent  theft

Globally around 260 million parcels get stolen each year which is a loss of approximately 210 Million USD. As common as it is to get your package stolen, it is not something that we want to happen to us.

We can use a custom tape to avoid or prevent this problem as people do not steal different-looking boxes but rather the boxes that look very common.

• Advertising

Brands and companies spend millions of dollars on advertising. If you are someone who wants to advertise their business but is on a budget. Then a custom tape with a logo is seen as an excellent way to get the attention of your target customer and other people. 

As a box travels to many places before it reaches its destination, it will get great exposure and that too in budget.

Plastic tape Vs Paper tape: Which is better?

In this section, we are going to discuss the benefits of both paper tape and plastic tape. So that we get a clear distinction between both of them. As we have read in the above section how important it is to have the right tape for your business. 

Why should we choose plastic tape?

Plastic tape is something that is being used for many years as compared to its rather new counterpart. There are a lot of different tapes available in the market. As we are talking about packaging tape, we will talk about the most popular and extensively used tape which is BOPP tape.

BOPP tape’s backing material is made from Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene which is seen to have many benefits. The Synthetic resin is seen to show good performance in a wide range of temperatures, but for optimal results, you have to use it in the mid-range temperature.

1. Durable 

We have been using plastic tape for a long time. One of the reasons to use them to date lies in their durability. These tapes are seen to have excellent resistance to abrasion.

2. Cost-effective

As these tapes are popular and found everywhere which makes this tape budget-friendly. This is great for people and businesses who are looking for budget-friendly options.

3. Moisture resistant

One of the greatest reasons for plastic tape being extensively used is that they are not affected by moisture to a great extent. This provides protection for shipping packages.

4. UV protected

UV rays are the number one reason behind the faded, dull and yellowish-coloured packages and tapes.

A good thing about this BOPP tape is that tapes do not get faded or discoloured even after prolonged sun exposure.

5. Anti-ageing 

As we have seen tapes which get exposed to sunlight for a long time, that they show signs of ageing like yellowness and a significant reduction in their clarity. This is not the case for these BOPP tapes.

6. Wide temperature range 

As we have talked about this in the beginning as well. That the temperature resistance of these tapes is remarkable. These tapes perform optimally in this range which starts from 0 degrees Celsius to 65 degrees Celsius.

What are the benefits of kraft paper tape?

 Now that we all are well aware of the benefits of using plastic BOPP tape, now we will talk about the benefits of using kraft paper tape.

As we know that there are many types of paper tape available in the market, so here, we will talk about tape made from kraft paper and the adhesive that is mostly used in these tapes is synthetic resin.

1. Easy to tear 

Paper tapes are known for their easy-to-use benefits. These paper tapes can be torn by hand which makes is handy for use. You do not have to run or search for the scissors while using this.

2. Writable surface

Have to mark or write something on the box, then you should pick this one as you can write on it with a marker, pen or even a pencil and it will write on it without any problem.

And if you want you can use it in crafts as well.

3. Easy to print 

As this paper tape is made from kraft paper which is considered a great backing material to print on. The colours do not bleed nor do they fade which makes them a great option to pick from.

4. Sustainable  

The most well-known feature of paper tape is that they are non-toxic, biodegradable, recyclable and easily managed by waste management.

As people are getting more and more concerned about the environment which makes this tape a great choice for the green brand and companies.

5. Durable 

There is a myth that paper tape cannot hold heavy weight or are not heavy-duty. As these tapes are made from cross-linked fibre which in some cases outperforms the traditional plastic tape. 

You can use water-activated tape as they are much more heavy duty as compared to the tape which has rubber, resin or synthetic gum.

6. Moisture resistant 

This is one of the most-asked questions about this tape “Is kraft Tape Waterproof?” we understand where that question is coming from. And the answer to that question is yes, the kraft paper tape can be used in moisture as well. 

Kraft paper has a tendency to repel water with is the reason behind its moisture resistance property.

What tape is best for packaging?

We have talked about both plastic and paper tape. In this blog, we have talked about the benefits of both of these tapes. 

As we can see that both of them have their own set of features and benefits. 

All we can say is that both are great options to pick for packaging but if you are looking for some kind of sustainable packaging option then we will recommend going with the paper tape.

But if you are on a tight budget then go for plastic tape. 

As the rest of the properties are the same when we can state that the best tape depends more on the requirements and needs that you as a customer have.

That’s all for now.

Thank you for reading til the end.