Best packing tapes - which adhesive tape to choose for packing parcels?
It is, after all, one of the most popular products for securing various types of shipments – courier, postal, or company boxes. You'll find many types of packaging tapes on the market, so we've prepared a guide to the best packaging tapes that will work in various applications.
Types of packaging tapes
Is there such a thing as the best packaging tape? Of course there is. The choice depends on the type of shipment, the application, and user preferences. Self-adhesive packaging tapes should not only stick well but also be aesthetically pleasing and resistant to accidental tearing.
Below, we present the most popular types of packaging tapes along with example products.
Acrylic packaging tape
Acrylic tapes are widely used in industry, warehouses, and offices.
- Adhesive: acrylic
- Best use: light and medium packages, long-term storage
- Features: resistant to aging and UV radiation, increases adhesion over time, suitable for rough surfaces
- Product examples:
Advantages: quiet, durable, aesthetic
Disadvantages: lower moisture resistance
Hot Melt packaging tape
Hot Melt tapes feature a synthetic rubber-based adhesive, providing the best adhesion for heavier packages.
- Temperature range: from -5°C to +60°C
- Best use: medium and heavy packages, transport in various conditions
- Product examples:
Advantages: strong, versatile
Disadvantages: louder unwinding than acrylic tapes
Solvent packaging tape
Natural rubber-based adhesive with resin makes this tape best for demanding conditions.
- Temperature range: from -20°C to +60°C
- Best use: light and heavy packages, transport in difficult conditions
- Product examples:
Advantages: very strong, resistant to moisture and weather conditions
Disadvantages: higher price
Example Dalpo tapes - which will be the best?
Below is a table with specific Dalpo tapes + recommendations for when each is worth choosing:
|
Product (Dalpo) |
Type / adhesive / size |
When the tape is best |
Advantages / limitations |
|
acrylic |
light or medium packages, office packages, when aesthetics matter |
good transparency, UV resistance, sufficient adhesion; weaker under heavy loads. |
|
|
hot-melt (synthetic rubber) |
medium and heavier cartons, packages requiring strong adhesion |
high adhesion, good durability and resistance; unwinding can be louder. |
|
|
solvent |
heavy packages, transport, long-term storage, packages exposed to weather conditions |
very strong adhesion, high resistance to temperature and moisture, durability. |
|
|
Brown quiet Dalpo acrylic packaging tape/Transparent quiet Dalpo acrylic packaging tape |
acrylic |
company packages, courier shipments, branding, aesthetics, office work |
aesthetics, quiet unwinding, customization options, good for light/medium packages. |
Additional features to consider when choosing packaging tape
When choosing packaging tape, it's worth paying attention not only to the type of adhesive but also to additional features that can facilitate packing and enhance the aesthetic appeal of shipments. Among the best packaging tapes, you can also distinguish:
- Tapes with print – excellent for online stores and shipping companies, allowing packages to stand out from the competition and strengthen visual identity.
- Quiet adhesive tapes – unwind smoothly and almost silently, ideal for light packages in the office or in places where noise is disruptive.
- Eco-friendly water-activated paper tapes — if you care about environmentally friendly packaging, this option might be the best. This type of tape is biodegradable, recyclable with cardboard, and when wet with water, creates a very strong and durable bond with the packaging.
-
Sold out
Brown eco-solvent packing tape 48mm x 54m
fromnetto€1,47 -
Sold out
3M Tartan 305 Silent Packaging Tape 50 mm x 66 m (various colors)
fromnetto€1,76 -
Sold out
White hot-melt packing tape 48mm x 60m
fromnetto€0,72
Key parameters of packaging tapes
Before you decide which packaging tape to choose, you also need to understand its most important parameters. This will allow you to match the product directly to your expectations. It may turn out that a self-adhesive tape costing several hundred zlotys will not work for you at all. That is why we encourage all entrepreneurs to delve into the topic.
Material (tape backing)
The backing, i.e., the material from which the tape is made, determines its durability, flexibility, and tear resistance. The best packaging tapes are available in two basic variants:
- Paper tapes– ecological and environmentally friendly, suitable for recycling along with cardboard. They create a durable bond with the packaging and are perfect for packages where aesthetics and the ecological nature of the shipment are important.
- Foil tapes– most often made of BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene) filmor polyester (PET). They are durable, flexible, and stretch-resistant, ideal for light and heavy packages, ensuring quick and strong adhesion.
Temperature range
Self-adhesive tapes have different temperature ranges. Some can withstand temperatures of -20°C, while others lose their adhesive properties at 0°C. Some have glue strong enough to withstand temperatures up to 60°C.
- Packaging adhesive tapes (Solvent) withstand temperatures from -20°C to +60°C
- “Freezer” type adhesive tapeswithstand temperatures from -20°C to +40°C
- Silent unwind packaging tapes withstand temperatures from -15°C to +60°C
- Hot melt packaging tapes withstand temperatures from -5°C to +60°C.
- Acrylic packaging tapes withstand temperatures from 0°C to +40°C.
Length
A long packaging tape is more efficient– the more you need, the longer tape you should buy. If your company packs a lot of shipments daily, buy standard tape (66 meters roll) or super-long tape (even 150 meters). Some sellers offer cheaper adhesive tapes that are 50 meters long. Other stores specify the roll length in yards, not meters. The price of such tapes is much lower because 1 yard is only 0.9144 meters. So you might think you are buying a product with a 66-meter roll, but in reality, you are buying a tape that is 66 yards long, which is 60 linear meters.
Width
The wider the packing tape, the better. Standard self-adhesive tapes are 48 mm wide, but you can also find products up to 12 mm wide on the market.They are ideal for sealing smaller shipments or company correspondence.
Quality
The quality of self-adhesive tape depends not only on the material used but also on the adhesive. Thematerial itself is very important because it is responsible for the tape's resistance to tearing or abrasion, but the adhesive is responsible for its adhesion.
Color
Currently, you can find many packaging tapes in various colors on the market. The most popular ones are brown, but you can also buy red, blue, green, or transparent ones.You can also opt for printed packaging tape – you can place your company's logo or name on it.
Resistance
The tape should be chosen based on its resistance to tearing, moisture, and atmospheric conditions. The more resistant the printed tape, the higher its price, but also the better its quality. For permanently joining elements that are outdoors, you should choose double-sided tape that is resistant to temperature, rain, dry air, and UV radiation.
Why is it worth opting for proven adhesive tapes?
At Dalpo, you are guaranteed that the tapes are a well-described product - you know the adhesive, length, and purpose. Unlike "no-name" tapes, you do not risk that the actual parameters will be worse than declared - which could lead to problems with securing packages. Choosing products from a trusted manufacturer is often the only way to have a securely sealed and protected package.
Don't forget the dispenser!
The best packaging tape you bought requires the best equipment. All this so that you don't have to waste time looking for the start of the product and painstakingly wrapping the package with it. That's why tape dispensersare extremely useful in any company. These are special devices that allow for quick and hassle-free wrapping of shipments.
Choose the best packaging tape!
You now know what types of packaging tapes there are and what to look for when choosing them. Each type has its advantages: acrylic works well for light packages, hot-melt for medium and heavier ones, and solvent works best in difficult transport conditions. Additionally, transparent, colored, or printed tapes help with the aesthetics and branding of shipments.
Below you will find a short recommendation that will help you quickly determine which tape will be best for your packages:
- If the packages are light or aesthetics are important to you — acrylic, e.g., Transparent acrylic packaging tape 48 mm x 91 m.
- If the packages are medium or heavier, and strong adhesion is important to you — hot-melt.
- If the packages are large, heavy, will be transported or stored — solvent / rubber.
- If aesthetics, branding, and aesthetic packages are important — transparent, colored, or printedtapes.




















