This guide explains which tape is best suited to a variety of uses, surfaces and environments — helping you cut through the wide range of choice to the packing tape that’s best suited to your needs. Read our guide to buying packing tapes below and you’ll be able to make an expert decision.
At a glance
Five tape types, and when each one earns its place on your packing bench.
Type
Surfaces it sticks to
Choose when
Plastic
Virgin paper and polythene — most packing surfaces.
You need an entry-level tape to seal packages.
3M
Recycled board, polythene — most packaging surfaces.
You want a premium tape for light–medium weight sealing duties.
Paper
A wide range of packaging surfaces.
You want an eco-friendly alternative to polypropylene that doesn’t compromise on quality.
Printed
Most packaging surfaces.
You want fragile items handled appropriately in transit.
Reinforced
Sticks to most surfaces.
You need to secure heavy packages or create long-lasting repairs and seals.
Plastic packing tape
If you need your tape to stick to polythene or virgin (non-recycled) paper on light packages, there’s no harm in saving money by choosing a plastic or unbranded packing tape.
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Top tip: Keep an eye on your usage. If you’re wrapping parcels with two or three times more tape just to feel confident they’ll stay stuck, upgrading to a branded tape might actually be more economical.
3M is a brand synonymous with quality, so if you’re looking for a high-quality packing tape that won’t let you down, look no further. Perfect for everyday use taping light to medium weight boxes, our 3M tapes bond to a variety of packaging surfaces including recycled board and polythene. With three types to choose from, we’re confident you’ll find one perfect for your needs.
3M 369 – hotmelt adhesive, water resistant, usable in cold and damp environments.
3M 371 – hotmelt rubber resin adhesive that sticks to any surface in any conditions.
3M 309 – low-noise polypropylene adhesive, sticks to almost any surface in cold and damp conditions.
Scotch 3739 – hotmelt adhesive, great for medium–heavy weight boxes in standard shipping conditions.
Scotch 3444 – natural rubber adhesive with good performance in damp and cold environments.
Paper packing tapes are a great eco-friendly alternative to traditional polypropylene tapes — offering a reliable seal without the environmental damage. There are two types, each with its own benefits.
A low-cost, plastic-free parcel tape with a solvent self-adhesive backing that works like traditional polypropylene tape but without the plastic. Ideal for light to medium duty sealing, this easy-tear tape offers strong adhesion to a wide range of surfaces.
For a stronger, permanent seal. Activated with water to create a tamper-evident bond, ideal for medium–heavy duty tasks. Highly resistant to humidity and temperature, so it’s suited to busy warehouses. The most eco-friendly of them all — plastic free, biodegradable, and recyclable alongside the cardboard box with no need to separate.
Yes, these are technically paper tapes — but they deserve their own spotlight. Perfect for any eco-conscious retailer looking to make their despatches a little more sustainable. Fully biodegradable and recyclable, they help eliminate harmful plastic from your retail operation. So what’s so special? 1% of every single sale goes to environmental charities in need worldwide.
If you’re sending easily breakable items, have specific handling requirements, or need parcels to arrive urgently, why not seal your consignments with printed packing tape? We stock four types to suit your needs: ‘Fragile’, ‘Fragile’ low noise, ‘Urgent’, and ‘Knifeless Opening’ tape. All printed in bold red and white, these are the perfect addition to your packing operation. Tapes can also be printed bespoke with your own message and graphics — contact us for more information.
From entry-level plastic tape to premium 3M, plastic-free paper tape, and eye-catching printed fragile tape — we stock a full range to seal every despatch reliably, with plenty of sustainable options.
As a certified B Corp, we care about getting this right — not just for your bottom line, but for the planet too.
We hope the above gives you all the help you need to choose the right type of packing tape for your needs. eCommerce despatch operations are our speciality, so if you have any unanswered questions or require further assistance, please get in touch — we’ll be more than happy to help.
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