Which packaging tapes work best in the e-commerce industry? A comprehensive guide

In e-commerce, polypropylene (BOPP) tapes with Hot-melt adhesive (for standard packages) and Solvent (for heavy shipments and cold storage) perform best. Stores focusing on ecology choose paper tapes, the most effective of which is water-activated tape, forming a strong bond with cardboard and making theft of contents difficult. Choosing the right adhesive tape in e-commerce is an art of balancing costs, durability, and brand image. Reconciling these parameters is not easy, because every business has different needs, and every tape has different specifications. Which adhesive tape will be the best solution for your online store?

Why is the choice of packaging tape important for an online store?

The right choice of packaging tape directly affects the operational profitability of the warehouse, the logistical safety of shipments, and the building of a professional customer experience. In the e-commerce industry, hundreds of shipments are packed daily, and packaging tape is essential for securing product cartons. Stores that handle shipping use hundreds of rolls of tape daily, so choosing the right tape has a big impact on the entire logistics process. For e-commerce, packaging tape serves three main functions:

• Security: Protects goods during transport (warranty function).
• Logistics: Must be resistant to changing temperatures in parcel lockers, moisture in sorting facilities, and friction on conveyors.
• Branding: It is the first element your customer sees. Its appearance, your logo, and ease of removal build a professional brand image.

Check out: 7 reasons why you should use custom printed tape

What tape is the most economical solution for standard e-commerce shipments?

If your priority is a low price while maintaining good parameters, the best choice is Dalpo film tapes - polypropylene (BOPP). However, here you need to pay attention to the type of adhesive used:

• Acrylic Adhesive: The cheapest option. Ideal for light packages stored at room temperature. We especially recommend the Dalpo quiet acrylic tape version, which minimizes the noise generated during unwinding, significantly improving work comfort.
• Hot-Melt Adhesive (Synthetic Rubber): This is the golden mean in packaging - the adhesive is characterized by high initial bonding strength, which speeds up the entire process, and also performs excellently in variable and demanding transport conditions. Dalpo offers various color options, such as brown packaging tape, white, or transparent.
• Solvent Adhesive (Natural Rubber): The strongest of the film tapes in Dalpo's offer. Indispensable in difficult conditions (moisture, sub-zero temperatures in winter). Choose it if you are sending really heavy goods or packages over long distances. Our offer includes variants such as transparent eco-solvent tape and strong tapes (transparent and brown). 

Recycled cartons in e-commerce - what tape is best suited?

In e-commerce, packaging with a mixture of recycled materials is increasingly used. However, these types of materials are characterized by higher dusting and shorter fibers, which often creates a physical barrier that weakens the adhesion of the adhesive to such a surface. Classic packaging tapes may not cope with this - they often lose their adhesion and unstick during transport.

If your store uses eco-friendly packaging, you need solutions developed by Dalpo specifically for difficult surfaces:

• POWER STICK acrylic tape: is a high-quality solution that eliminates the problem of unsticking from recycled cardboard surfaces. Thanks to its increased adhesion, which grows over time, it guarantees a durable package closure even with high dust levels on the cardboard.
• rPET 90% packaging tape: made on a PCR substrate, 90% recycled, equipped with a strong Hot-melt adhesive. This tape is an environmentally friendly alternative to ordinary film tapes, providing very high initial adhesive strength, even in contact with dusty cardboard.

Are paper adhesive tapes the best option for stores focusing on ecology?

Paper tapes are a great option if you care about the planet and the store's image as "eco" or "less waste". In this category, two solutions dominate in Dalpo:

1. Self-adhesive paper tape

It looks aesthetic and crafty, and you can also write on it - which is perfectly utilized by stores with hand-made products. Dalpo paper tapes use materials such as brown Kraft paper or crepe paper. Thanks to this, the entire packaging can be recycled - which your customer will certainly appreciate.

2. Water-activated paper tape

Water-activated tape is a premium solution that is increasingly becoming standard in many online stores.

• Starch adhesive (water-activated): This is the most ecological option. It is of natural origin (from potatoes or corn), making it fully biodegradable. This adhesive dissolves in water during the paper pulping process.
• How it works: The adhesive penetrates the cardboard structure, creating an unbreakable bond, even on dusty surfaces (e.g., eco-friendly cartons). It cannot be removed without visible damage to the box, which makes it an excellent security measure for contents - trustworthy. 
• Note: Water-activated tape requires a special dispenser (manual or electric). This is indeed an additional upfront cost, but it significantly reduces the unit cost with a large packing scale.
• Dalpo's offer: In our assortment, you will find water-activated paper tape in various sizes, with custom printing options and glass fiber reinforced variants.

Read also: Zero waste in logistics - water-activated packaging tapes as a sustainable solution for waste minimization

What is the best type of packaging tape for e-commerce depending on the weight and size of the shipment?

The table below will help you quickly match Dalpo products to your assortment:

For production lines and automatic packing machines, Dalpo particularly recommends machine tapes - offering maximum efficiency, uninterrupted work, and hundreds of packages sealed daily.