Custom printed tape is one of the most cost-effective ways to add branding to your packaging. You're using tape anyway — sealing every box that leaves your building — so printing it with your logo and colours costs just a few pence per box and turns a functional material into a brand touchpoint.
But there are several different types of custom printed tape, and the differences between them are worth understanding before you order. This guide covers each type, what it's best for, and how the order process works.
Why custom printed tape is worth considering
Before getting into the types, it's worth being clear on what printed tape actually does for you.
Brand visibility. A parcel sealed with your branded tape is identifiable immediately — on the doorstep, in a shared office, on a delivery van. It's a small thing but it adds up across thousands of orders.
Tamper evidence. A box sealed with your printed tape can't be resealed convincingly if someone opens it. The tape tears or lifts visibly, making it clear the parcel has been interfered with.
Perceived quality. Generic brown tape on a box signals nothing. Printed tape signals that the sender has thought about presentation. For brands where unboxing experience matters, that's worth something.
The cost difference between plain tape and printed tape is smaller than most people expect — particularly once a printing plate has been made, the unit cost is very close to standard tape.
The different types of custom printed tape
Vinyl printed tape
Vinyl is the premium option — a strong, tear-resistant backing with a high-tack solvent adhesive. It sticks well across a wide range of surfaces and temperatures, unwinds quietly from the roll, and gives a clean, high-quality finish to your branding.
If you want your printed tape to reflect the quality of your brand rather than undermine it, vinyl is the right choice. It's the most popular option for businesses where brand presentation is a priority.
Best for: Premium brands, high-volume operations, anywhere appearance and adhesion quality matter.
Solvent polyprop (PP) printed tape
Polyprop tape uses a polypropylene backing — strong, with high tensile strength — and a solvent adhesive. It's a solid mid-range option: better adhesion than economy tape, lower cost than vinyl.
The main trade-off is noise. Polyprop tape is louder to unwind than vinyl, which matters on a busy packing bench. It's not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing.
Best for: Operations looking for a quality printed tape at a slightly lower price point than vinyl.
Hot melt printed tape
Hot melt tape also uses a polyprop backing, but with a hot melt adhesive — a pressure-sensitive version of hot melt glue. It bonds aggressively and lasts well under normal conditions, making it a reliable general-purpose option.
The limitation is cold temperatures. Hot melt adhesive can lose tack below freezing, so if your parcels are stored or shipped in cold environments, this isn't the right choice.
Best for: General-purpose packing operations in ambient temperature environments.
Acrylic low-noise printed tape
Acrylic tape uses a polyprop backing with an acrylic adhesive. The adhesive is lower-cost and more environmentally friendly than solvent alternatives — it breaks down in water without leaving harmful residues. It's also notably quieter to unwind, making it a good choice for open-plan packing areas.
The trade-off is long-term performance. Acrylic adhesive can lose tack over time, so it's not ideal for items going into storage. For orders being shipped promptly, it works well.
Best for: Packing operations where noise is a consideration, eco-conscious businesses who still need a plastic tape option.
Printed paper tape — the eco option
Printed paper tape is the only fully recyclable option in this list, and it's become increasingly popular as more businesses try to remove plastic from their packaging entirely.
Paper tape can go straight into the recycling bin with the cardboard box — the paper breaks down in the pulping process. For customers who care about sustainability (and an increasing number do), paper tape is a visible signal that you've thought about it.
There are two adhesive options:
Pressure-sensitive paper tape — easy to use, no water required, handles similarly to standard tape. Good all-round eco option.
Gummed paper tape — water-activated adhesive that bonds extremely aggressively to cardboard. Once applied, it's very difficult to remove without leaving an obvious trace, making it the strongest tamper-evident option of all the tape types. It requires a water-activated tape dispenser to apply, which is an additional investment, but pays back quickly on high-volume operations.
Best for: Eco-focused brands, businesses removing plastic from their packaging, anyone wanting the strongest tamper-evident seal.
Choosing your print design
All printed tape options are available in three print configurations:
Positive print — your logo or text printed in colour on a white or clear tape background. The most common and most cost-effective option.
Reverse print — the tape is flood-coated in your brand colour, with your logo or text printed in white or a contrasting colour. High visual impact, particularly for bold or bright brand colours. Also popular for colour-coding boxes or pallets.
Flood print — the entire tape surface is printed in a solid colour, sometimes with additional text or logo printed on top. Good for creating a strong colour impression across the whole box.
Most businesses start with a positive print — it's the easiest to get right and produces clean, professional results across all tape types.
Available sizes and lengths
All tape types are available in the same standard configurations:
Widths: 24mm (1 inch), 48mm (2 inch — the most popular), 72mm (3 inch)
Lengths: 66m (standard roll, 3" core), 132m (extended roll, 3" core), 150m E-tape (extended roll, 2" core — works with E-tape dispensers)
Colours: White, brown (buff), clear, or flood print in any colour
If you're running a high-volume operation and want to reduce roll changes on the packing bench, the 132m or 150m options are worth considering. Our E-tape range is designed specifically for extended-roll dispensers if you're not already using them.
How the order process works
- Choose your tape type. If you're unsure, we can send samples of the different grades so you can test adhesion on your boxes before committing.
- Agree the artwork. Send us your logo and a brief description of what you need — colours, any text, which print style. We'll create the artwork at no charge and send you a proof to approve.
- Approve the proof. Once you're happy with the design, we convert it for print and confirm the plate specifications.
- Delivery. Lead time from final proof approval is typically just over 2 weeks. We'll send tracking details so you know when to expect it.
There's no artwork charge, and once the printing plate has been made it's available for future reorders, which keeps reorder lead times shorter.
Not sure which tape is right for you?
We're happy to talk it through and send samples before you commit. Call us on 02476 611234 or get in touch online — we've been producing custom printed tape for businesses across the UK for over 20 years.
You can also browse our full printed tape range to see what's available.
Related products: All Printed Tape | Printed Paper Tape | E-Tape | Tape Dispensers | All Tape & Glue