Printed Tape: The Different Types

Printed tape, also known as custom or branded tape, is a type of adhesive tape that is customized with printed designs, logos, messages, or other graphics. It is commonly used for packaging, branding, and promotional purposes. There are several different types of printed tape available, each with its own characteristics and uses. Here are some of the main types:

1. Custom Printed Packaging Tape: This is the most common type of printed tape. It is used for sealing packages and boxes while also promoting the brand. It can be made from materials like polypropylene, PVC, or paper.

2. Logo Tape: This type of printed tape focuses on displaying a company's logo. It's a simple way to increase brand visibility on packaging.

3. Message Tape: Message tapes include printed text or instructions. These could be warnings, handling instructions, or special messages for the recipient.

4. Patterned Tape: This type of tape features repetitive patterns or designs. It's often used for decorative purposes and can add a unique touch to packages.

5. Colored Tape: While not necessarily printed, colored tapes are available in a variety of colors and can be used to differentiate packages or add a pop of color to branding.

6. Security Tape: Printed security tape often includes features like tamper-evident designs, holographic elements, or other security measures. It helps indicate if a package has been tampered with.

7. Double-Sided Tape with Printing: This type of tape has adhesive on both sides and can be customized with printing on the visible side. It's often used for mounting purposes.

8. Custom Masking Tape: Masking tape can also be customized with printing. It's often used in painting and construction industries for labeling purposes.

9. Fragile/Handle with Care Tape: This type of tape is printed with warnings or instructions indicating that the package contains fragile items and needs to be handled with care.

10. Promotional Tape: Promotional tape is often used for advertising special offers, promotions, or events. It can help draw attention to your marketing campaigns.

11. Specialty Tape: Some printed tapes are designed for specific industries or applications. For example, medical industries might use printed tapes for labeling medical supplies.

12. Holiday/Seasonal Tape: Custom printed tape can also be designed for specific holidays or seasons, adding a festive touch to packages.

When selecting printed tape, consider factors such as the material of the tape, the printing quality, the adhesiveness, the intended use, and your branding goals. Custom printed tape can be a cost-effective and creative way to enhance your packaging, branding, and overall customer experience.

Printed tape is very popular for adding warnings or advertising when sealing boxes or securing pallets. There are several different types of printed tape for different applications, below are the most popular ones.

Heavy Duty Printed Tape

Heavy-duty printed tape is a robust and durable type of packaging tape that is specifically designed to withstand demanding and challenging packaging applications. It is commonly used for sealing heavy or oversized cartons, packages, and shipments that require extra strength and security during transit.

Key features and uses of heavy-duty printed tape:

1. Strength and Durability: Heavy-duty printed tape is made from strong materials, such as reinforced polypropylene or fiberglass, which provide exceptional tensile strength and tear resistance. This ensures that the tape can effectively hold together heavy or bulky packages.

2. Customization: Like other printed tapes, heavy-duty printed tape can be customized with company logos, brand colors, or specific messages. This customization adds a professional and branded touch to the packaging, enhancing brand visibility.

3. High Adhesion: Heavy-duty printed tape is engineered with high-performance adhesive that forms a strong and secure bond with various surfaces, even in challenging environments and extreme temperatures.

4. Tamper-Evident: Some heavy-duty printed tapes come with tamper-evident features, such as security prints or perforations, which indicate if the package has been opened or tampered with during transit.

5. Versatility: Heavy-duty printed tape is suitable for a wide range of applications, including sealing corrugated boxes, pallets, wooden crates, and heavy shipments.

6. Weather Resistance: Heavy-duty printed tape is designed to withstand exposure to moisture, UV rays, and other weather conditions without losing its adhesion or strength.

7. Manual or Machine Application: Heavy-duty printed tape can be applied manually with a handheld dispenser or used with taping machines for high-volume packaging operations.

Heavy-duty printed tape is commonly used in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, and construction, where secure packaging is critical for shipping heavy and valuable items. It offers a reliable solution for businesses seeking to ensure the integrity and safety of their packages during transit while effectively promoting their brand identity with custom printing options.

Exploring the Different Types of Heavy Duty Printed Tapes

Heavy-duty printed tape comes in various types, each designed to cater to specific packaging and sealing needs. Some of the different types of heavy-duty printed tape include:

1. Reinforced Gummed Tape: Reinforced gummed tape, also known as water-activated tape, is a type of heavy-duty printed tape that requires water to activate its adhesive. It is reinforced with fiberglass strands for added strength and tear resistance, making it ideal for sealing heavy or bulky packages securely.

2. Filament Tape: Filament tape is a strong and durable tape reinforced with fiberglass filaments that run along its length. It provides excellent tensile strength and is often used for bundling and reinforcing heavy packages.

3. Duct Tape: Heavy-duty printed duct tape is a versatile tape commonly used in construction and industrial applications. It is made with a cloth backing and a strong adhesive, providing excellent adhesion to various surfaces.

4. Strapping Tape: Strapping tape, also known as bundling tape, is designed for holding, bundling, and securing heavy or irregularly shaped items. It is made from strong polypropylene material and offers good resistance to abrasion and splitting.

5. Foam Tape: Heavy-duty printed foam tape is coated with a strong adhesive on one or both sides and is often used for sealing gaps, cushioning, and vibration dampening.

6. Electrical Tape: Heavy-duty printed electrical tape is designed to insulate and protect electrical wires and connections. It offers good adhesion and resistance to electrical currents and environmental factors.

7. PVC Tape: PVC tape is made from a strong polyvinyl chloride material and is commonly used for sealing and reinforcing heavy packages and cartons.

Each type of heavy-duty printed tape has its unique properties and applications, making it important to choose the right tape based on the specific packaging requirements and the weight and type of items being sealed. Heavy-duty printed tape provides a reliable and secure solution for businesses seeking to ensure the safe transportation of their valuable and heavy shipments while incorporating branding and messaging for improved packaging efficiency and brand visibility.

Printed Machine Tape

Printed machine tape, also known as custom machine tape or printed gummed tape, is a type of packaging tape that is specifically designed to be used with a tape dispenser or automated taping machine. It is commonly used in high-volume packaging and sealing applications, providing a fast and efficient way to seal cartons and packages.

Key features and uses of printed machine tape:

1. Customization: Printed machine tape can be customized with company logos, brand colors, or specific messages, making it an effective branding tool. This customization turns every package into a branded advertisement, promoting the company's identity and enhancing brand visibility.

2. Gummed Adhesive: Printed machine tape is typically made with gummed adhesive on one side. The gummed adhesive requires activation with water to create a strong, secure bond when applied to cartons or packages.

3. Compatibility with Machines: Printed machine tape is engineered to be compatible with tape dispensers and automated taping machines. It is supplied in rolls suitable for machine use, reducing the need for manual application and saving time in high-volume packaging operations.

4. Tamper-Evident: Some printed machine tapes come with tamper-evident features, such as security prints or perforations, which indicate if the package has been opened or tampered with during transit.

5. Strength and Durability: Printed machine tape is designed to provide reliable sealing strength and adhesion, ensuring that packages are securely sealed during transportation.

6. Ease of Use: With a tape dispenser or taping machine, printed machine tape can be efficiently applied to cartons or packages with ease, streamlining the packaging process.

7. Custom Messages: In addition to branding, printed machine tape can also include other important messages, such as "Fragile," "Handle with Care," or "This End Up," to communicate specific handling instructions.

Printed machine tape is commonly used in various industries, including manufacturing, distribution centers, and e-commerce fulfillment centers. It offers a cost-effective and time-saving solution for businesses that require high-volume packaging and want to incorporate branding and important messages on their packages.

The combination of branding, tamper-evident features, and ease of application makes printed machine tape a versatile and efficient choice for companies seeking to optimize their packaging processes while promoting their brand and ensuring the security of their shipments.

Pre-printed Tape

Stock pre-printed tape for general applications, red warning text printed on white low noise packaging tape in a whole range of designs to cover almost any standard warning message. Seal your Postal Box or Despatch Carton and apply a warning message at the same time to save having to apply a label as a separate application. Our pre printed red text tape is a Premium Low Noise Packing Tape, the strong polyprop backing coupled with a sticky low noise release adhesive makes this one of the best stock printed tape ranges available.

The Importance of Warning Printed Tape for Delicate Shipments

Warning printed tape, also known as caution tape or hazard tape, is a type of pre-printed tape that features warning messages, symbols, or colors to alert handlers and recipients about potential hazards or specific handling requirements associated with the packaged contents. This specialized tape is commonly used in various industries and settings to improve safety, prevent accidents, and communicate essential information related to the packaged items.

Key features and uses of warning printed tape:

1. Hazard Identification: Warning printed tape typically includes bright and eye-catching colors, such as yellow or red with bold black lettering or symbols, to quickly draw attention to potential hazards. Common warning messages include "Caution," "Fragile," "Handle with Care," "Do Not Open," and "This End Up."

2. Fragile Items: For packages containing fragile or delicate items, warning printed tape with a "Fragile" or "Handle with Care" message is used to inform handlers to take extra precautions during transportation and handling.

3. Security: Some warning printed tapes are designed with tamper-evident features or security messages to indicate if a package has been opened or potentially tampered with during transit.

4. Workplace Safety: In industrial settings, warning printed tape is often used to cordon off or mark hazardous areas, alerting employees and visitors to exercise caution and follow safety protocols.

5. Compliance: Warning printed tape can also be used to comply with specific regulations or shipping guidelines related to the transportation of hazardous materials or substances.

6. Visual Communication: By using warning printed tape, businesses can efficiently communicate important handling instructions without the need for additional labels or markings on the package.

7. Precautionary Information: For packages containing items with specific storage or transportation requirements (e.g., temperature-sensitive items), warning printed tape can include messages or symbols to inform handlers about the necessary precautions.

8. Customization: Like other pre-printed tapes, warning printed tape can be customized to include specific messages, symbols, or company branding.

Warning printed tape serves as a simple yet effective tool to enhance safety, prevent accidents, and improve communication in various packaging and industrial scenarios. Its prominent visibility and clear messaging make it an essential component for responsible packaging practices and ensuring that the contents of packages are handled with the required care and attention.

Custom Printed Tape

Custom printed tape is a great opportunity to get your brand name noticed while being much more affordable than getting your boxes custom printed with your logo. Printed tape looks really smart and makes a change from boring brown tape, show your customers you are a professional company by using a quality personalised packaging tape to display your logo and brand message.

Personalised Packaging Tape

Personalised packaging tape is packaging tape with your company logo and message printed on it. It's a great method of branding your parcels because it is low cost and low minimum order quantity, helping you to brand your boxes even if you are just starting out. We can print your own custom tape from just 1 box in our paper tape range, that just 36 rolls to get you started with your very own personalised tape.

Our range of personalised packing tape is available in two different quality levels, both of which can be printed in up to 3 colours, here's a quick run-down on the differences between our two printed tape products and which one you should choose:

• Vinyl Custom Printed Tape: Vinyl is a strong and durable packing tape with a long-lasting adhesive which will work for most if not all packaging applications. Because of the strong vinyl backing it can be used on heavy and awkward parcels and will give you the peace of mind that your boxes will arrive secure and safe.
• Low Noise Polyprop Custom Printed Tape: A general purpose packing tape that is more cost effective and is great for lighter and smaller parcels. The polyprop backing coupled with a water-based acrylic adhesive makes this packing tape more environmentally friendly so you can rest assured you are doing your bit for the environment.
• Recyclable Printed Paper Tape: An eco friendly printed paper tape that can be recycled along with the cardboard box. An excellent way to show your customers you care for their environment. Using a Hot Melt adhesive makes this paper tape a good all round general purpose packaging tape which can be used in place of plastic tape.

Printed Tape Tip: Add a message to your printed tape as well as your logo; say 'Thank you for your order' or put 'FRAGILE Handle with Care' in big letters to get more for your money. Adding messages like this also helps to interact with your customer and makes them feel special because it shows them that you care about their order.

Personalised Paper Tape

Personalised paper tape is our eco friendly tape option that can be printed with your logos and messages. Our printed paper tape is manufactured from paper and can be recycled along with the cardboard box, much kinder to the environment than plastic tape. Paper tape is available in white and brown with a classy matt finish, many people choose paper tape just because it looks better than plastic tape.

How to Order Branded Packing Tape

To order branded packing tape, place your order on the website as normal and we will contact you by email or phone to sort your artwork. If you already have a design then just send it across to us or we can create your printed tape design for you in our in-house studio, just send us your ideas and logos and we will do the rest.

Please note there is an extra £25.00 per colour one time origination cost for all new printed tape designs which will be charged when you have approved the artwork.

Please make sure you select the right price break and enter in the correct number of rolls that you want so we charge you the right amount.

Printed Parcel Tape Product Range

• 48mm x 66m High Performance Vinyl Tape Printed 1 Colour
• 48mm x 66m High Performance Vinyl Tape Printed 2 Colour
• 48mm x 66m High Performance Vinyl Tape Printed 3 Colour
• 48mm x 66m Low Noise Packing Tape Printed 1 Colour
• 48mm x 66m Low Noise Packing Tape Printed 2 Colour
• 48mm x 66m Low Noise Packing Tape Printed 3 Colour