Skip to main content
Skip to footer
Accessibility Commitment
Earn points with Easy Rewards. Learn more 
40% off custom Holiday cards and invites 
As low as $36.99 88/96 ct. K-cup pods 
Staples.com®
Packaging Tape Buying Guide
Tape Adhesives - What's the difference? There are three different types of tape adhesives. A balance of properties define a tape's performance.

 Hot-Melt/Synthetic-Rubber Packaging Tape
  • Best choice for shipping that may involve rough handling
  • Highly break-resistant tape
  • Superior shear-adhesion power to corrugated boxes
  • Meets standard U.S. Postal and UPS® requirements
Details
Use for:

Heavy-duty shipping and sealing, and boxes that may be dropped, thrown or tossed.


Packaging Tape Terms
Tensile Strength
(Breaking Strength)

The force required to break a piece of tape by pulling on opposite ends of the piece of tape.


Shear Adhesion
(Holding Power)

The ability of a tape to resist the forces of gravity and rough handling. High shear adhesion assures that heavy boxes will remain securely sealed, despite rough handling during shipping or moving.


Thickness:
(Measured in Millimeters)

The total thickness of the tape, which combines the backing and adhesive thicknesses (1 mm = 0.039").


Acrylic Packaging Tape
  • Long aging, nonyellowing
  • Best choice for long-term storage in varying temperatures
  • Good shear-adhesion power to corrugated boxes
  • Excellent clarity
  • Meets standards U.S. Postal and UPS® requirements
Details
Use for:

Long-term storage in a wide range of temperatures, label protection, and light-duty mailing.


Natural-Rubber Packaging Tape
  • Excellent in extreme weather conditions; resists dampness and moisture
  • Better shear-adhesion power to corrugated boxes
  • Ultimate adhesion at room temperature
  • Meets standards U.S. Postal and UPS® requirements
Details
Use for:

Rough or printed cartons in variable temperatures.