A Complete Guide to the Different Types of Tape
A lot has changed in the world of adhesive tape since a 3M engineer created the category by inventing masking tape in 1925. With so many different kinds of tape on the market today, choosing the best option for your needs can be tricky.
So whether you need a carton sealing solution, eco-friendly paper tape for e-commerce packaging, or a niche type of tape from the industrial tapes category, read on to find the right option from this extremely versatile product.
Think you know all the kinds of tape? List them out and check them off as you go through the article, adding any new ones you weren’t aware of. You might be surprised to find types of tapes with names you’ve never heard of before…
Picking and Packing – Tape for Sealing Boxes and Packaging
Of all the types of tape used in warehouses, businesses, and homes, its clear packing tape is one of the most in-demand. Its primary application is box and carton sealing, a task requiring a tape with excellent adhesion to cardboard, durability, and holding power under varying conditions.
Not all kinds of tape are created equal when it comes to sealing up a box. Choosing the wrong option can result in the lid bursting open during transit or storage. These mishaps can potentially lead to stock damage, unhappy customers, or even worse - human injury.
With all the different kinds of tapes out there, let’s drill down into some details to inform your decision-making process.
What is packing tape made of?Usually packing tape has a Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) backing, meaning the plastic’s stretched in two directions during manufacturing for enhanced durability. With its high tensile strength (ability to stretch without tearing or splitting), moisture resistance, optional transparency, and relatively low cost, it’s a great base for an effective, economical and attractive packaging tape. Other materials are sometimes used in packing tape, including:
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Making It Stick – Understanding Different Types of Tape Adhesive
The adhesive type coating on a tape’s backing determines how effectively it bonds to various surfaces and maintains performance in different environments. Here's a breakdown of common adhesive types:
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Natural RubberA natural rubber-based adhesive derived from the rubber plant, natural rubber has a high initial tack across most surfaces, making it ideal for short-term applications in environments where cartons are frequently handled or exposed to dust. Advantages:
Limitations:
Check out our Packaging Tape – Premium Grade for a high-quality natural rubber adhesive packing tape. |
Synthetic Rubber (Hot Melt)A man-made adhesive that’s fast-bonding, cost-effective and ideal for general packaging. It performs well on standard cardboard and suits high-volume packing lines. Advantages:
Limitations:
Our Packaging Tape – General Purpose Grade is a great ‘workhorse’ hot melt option. |
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AcrylicThis water-based kind of tape adhesive maintains performance over time, resists UV exposure, and excels in cold environments. Ideal for long-term storage, exports, and chilled goods. Advantages:
Limitations:
Our Packaging Tape – Value Grade is an economical and versatile solution for general warehouse applications. |
Water-Activated Paper TapeWater-activated tape fuses with carton fibres when moistened, creating a strong, tamper-proof seal. This refreshingly different type of tape’s garnered significant attention for its sustainable kraft paper backing and starch adhesive. Advantages:
Limitations:
Azapak offers a range of Water-Activated Kraft Paper Tape, including a heavy-duty option reinforced with fibreglass strands for extra strength (still 100% recyclable). |
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What are the Standard Packing Tape Sizes?
Many types of adhesive tape come in a range of widths and lengths. Packing tape is commonly sold in rolls 48mm wide and around 75m long. The length will vary depending on your system for applying the tape (using a manual dispenser or automatic carton sealer machine). Our e-Tape option comes in jumbo 150m long rolls designed for use with the e-Tape Dispenser, offering efficient use with fewer roll changes.
Other standard packaging tape sizes include:
- 24mm wide. Available from our Denva® value line, similar in appearance to office sticky tape and more suited to smaller packages than standard boxes.
- 36mm/38mm wide. Good for small to medium boxes, check out our Premium Grade line for this size option.
- 50mm wide. A variant of the 48mm (roughly 2-inch) standard width suitable for securing the gap between the flaps on most cardboard boxes, e.g. our Packaging Tape - Premium Grade Heavy Duty variety.
- 72mm wide. When sealing the larger gaps on big tea chest chartons or oversized boxes, our Packaging Tape - Extra Wide rolls are a good choice.
Machine Rolls for Maximum Efficiency
For high-volume operations who use an automatic box taping machine, our General Purpose, Premium Grade and Value Grade packing tape lines all come in extra-long 990m or 1000m rolls.
Send a Message With Printed Packaging Tape
Printed message tape is a simple way to share handling instructions and enhance brand professionalism. Different tapes carry different messages, including warnings like Fragile or Top Load Only help reduce damage and boost warehouse efficiency.
Looking for a different tape message for your business? With our Custom Printed Packaging Tape you can even add your logo or brand message, turning each parcel into a marketing touchpoint. Discover cost-effective ways to improve communication, reduce risk, and promote your business with every shipment with our range of Printed Message Tape.
Other Types of Tapes and Their Uses
Not all types of tape are for sealing boxes. The industrial world relies on many different types of tapes tailored for specific applications—from bundling and reinforcing to mounting, masking, and sealing. Here’s a look at various kinds of tapes that play a key role in warehouses, workshops, and DIY projects.
Masking TapeThe original adhesive tape, masking tape was invented in the early 20th century to help automotive workers produce clean paint lines without damaging surfaces. Typically comprising a crepe paper backing with a light adhesive for easy removability, it's still the go-to for professional painters, panel beaters, and decorators – they don’t call it painter’s tape for nothing! Best for: Painting, surface protection, labelling, bundling light items. Advantages:
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Strapping TapeDesigned to secure heavy loads during transit or storage, this extremely high tensile strength and excellent resistance to splitting. It’s a must-have for pallet load containment and bundling sharp or awkwardly shaped goods. Best for: Heavy-duty bundling, reinforcing cartons, load containment. Advantages:
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Cloth TapeVersatile and durable, cloth tape is a strong fabric-based adhesive tape known for sticking to rough surfaces and holding up under wear and tear. It’s commonly used in the entertainment, events and construction industries, and is often a temporary solution for repairs and bundling. Best for: General-purpose bundling, temporary fixes, cable management. Advantages:
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Duct TapeA trade favourite, duct tape is a polyethylene-coated cloth tape used across construction, HVAC, electrical, and general repair applications. It’s water-resistant, incredibly strong, and adheres to a wide variety of surfaces—even dusty or dirty ones. Best for: Sealing, bundling, holding, and temporary repairs in harsh conditions. Advantages:
While it’s often misused for electrical tasks, duct tape is a different kind of tape to electrical tape. Electricians should use a PVC tape – this different kind of tape’s non-conductive backing is required to prevent current transfer when used on electrical equipment. |
Foam TapeA go-to mounting tape used in glazing, HVAC, and electrical installations, foam tape provides cushioning and seals uneven surfaces. Its ability to compress and conform makes it perfect for reducing vibration and creating air or moisture barriers. Best for: Mounting signs or panels, sealing doors, gasketing, and gap filling. Advantages:
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Double Sided TapeAs is evident from the name, types of tapes in this category have adhesive coated on both sides, making it ideal for discreet bonding without visible fasteners. It's a staple in signage, point-of-sale displays, and product assembly, offering quick and clean results. Best for: Mounting displays, temporary signage, or fixing lightweight components. Advantages:
Explore our double sided tape range for optimum results in your next project. |
Other Specialty Tapes and Films
Azapak also stocks a broad range of specialist tape types that fill important roles in both professional and domestic settings:
- Surface protection film: Shields delicate surfaces like metal, glass or plastic from scratches, dust, and paint during storage, transport, or fit-outs. Especially useful for appliances, construction and commercial fitouts—including refrigerated appliances.
- Stationery tape: A smaller, clear adhesive tape ideal for light-duty office tasks, packaging samples, or retail environments. There are several of these types of scotch tape available on the market, but given the non-critical nature of its use you don’t need to sweat the finer details too much. Our Office Stationery Tape is an effective economical option.
- Thread seal tape: Also known as PTFE tape, plumber’s tape or pipe tape, it’s used for sealing pipe threads in plumbing and gas fittings. The non-stick surface ensures a watertight seal while allowing easy disassembly. For high-temperature or chemical applications, Teflon tape or self fusing silicone tape may be preferred.
- Electrical tape: A PVC tape used on electrical insulation and for bundling electrical wires. Often available in multiple colours for coding. Not to be confused with friction tape or glass cloth tape, which are typically used in specialised electrical or heat-resistant applications.
- Anti slip tape: While not always considered under the general types of tape, these adhesive-backed strips improve safety on stairs and walkways—especially in wet or oily conditions.
- Plasterboard Jointing / Drywall Tape: A self-adhesive fibreglass mesh tape, perfect for joining plasterboard panels or repairing wall patches.
Wrapping Up – Key Points to Consider
There are many kinds of adhesive tapes with differing strengths and limitations. When weighing up your decision, it’s important to consider them all: type of tape adhesive, width, length, and intended purpose of the various tape kinds available.
How did you go with the list activity from the introduction? Did you learn about some new tape names you’d never heard of before? Now you’re an expert on the subject, check out our wide range to find the correct tape for your needs.