The strongest, most secure, most sustainable way to seal a cardboard box. Gummed paper tape creates a permanent bond with cardboard, is fully recyclable with the box, and is tamper-evident. No more peeling plastic tape.
Gummed paper tape — also known as water-activated tape, WAT, or kraft paper tape — is a paper-based sealing tape coated with a starch-based adhesive that activates when moistened with water. When applied to cardboard, the adhesive soaks into the fibres of the box, creating a permanent bond that's significantly stronger than pressure-sensitive plastic tape. You can't peel it off without visibly damaging the box, which makes it inherently tamper-evident.
If you've ever received a parcel from Amazon, Apple or any number of major retailers and noticed the brown paper tape that tears with the cardboard when you open it — that's gummed paper tape. It's the industry standard for secure, sustainable box sealing, and it's now affordable enough for businesses of any size.
Plastic tape sits on the surface of the box. Gummed tape bonds into the cardboard fibres. That's a fundamentally different kind of seal — one that gets stronger as it dries, doesn't peel in cold or damp conditions, and doesn't require multiple strips to hold a heavy box shut. One strip of reinforced gummed tape across a box seam is typically stronger than three strips of plastic tape.
Here's something most people don't realise: when you stick plastic tape on a cardboard box, the entire box technically becomes mixed-material waste. Most recycling facilities can handle small amounts of plastic tape, but it reduces the quality of the recycled cardboard. Gummed paper tape goes straight through the recycling process with the box — no separation needed, no quality reduction. Your customers' boxes are truly single-material, single-stream recyclable.
Gummed tape can't be cleanly removed and reapplied. Any tampering is immediately obvious because the tape tears the cardboard surface when someone tries to peel it. For businesses shipping valuable or sensitive products, this is a meaningful security feature that plastic tape simply doesn't offer.
Simple, affordable manual dispenser for low-volume operations. Pull, wet, apply. No power needed.
Best for: Small businesses, occasional use
Robust manual dispenser with built-in water reservoir. Consistent activation every time. Reliable workhorse for daily packing.
Best for: SMEs packing daily, moderate volumes
Automatic electric dispenser that wets and cuts tape to pre-set lengths at the push of a button. Maximum speed and consistency for busy packing lines.
Best for: High-volume operations, fulfilment centres, consistency-critical packing
| Product | Width | Length | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 50mm | 50mm | 200m | Standard | General box sealing — most common size |
| Standard 70mm | 70mm | 200m | Standard (12 pack) | Wider seam coverage on larger boxes |
| Reinforced 50mm | 50mm | 100m | Reinforced (6 pack) | Heavy boxes, extra-secure sealing |
| Reinforced 70mm | 70mm | 100m | Reinforced | Large heavy boxes, maximum strength |
| Fragile Printed | 50mm | 200m | Printed — "Fragile" | Fragile item warnings directly on the seal |
| Custom Printed | Various | Various | Your branding | Branded unboxing experience |
Standard gummed tape is strong enough for most applications. Reinforced tape has fibreglass threads running through it for extra tensile strength — use it on heavier boxes or where you need absolute confidence in the seal.
| Factor | Gummed Paper Tape | Plastic Packing Tape |
|---|---|---|
| Bond strength | ★ Bonds into cardboard fibres | Sits on surface — can peel |
| Tamper evidence | ★ Yes — visible if opened | No — can be reapplied |
| Recyclability | ★ Recycles with the box | Mixed material waste |
| Cold/damp performance | ★ Excellent once dried | Can peel in cold conditions |
| Strips needed per box | ★ Usually one | Often 2-3 for security |
| Upfront cost | Higher (dispenser needed) | Lower (hand dispenser is cheap) |
| Per-parcel cost | Comparable | Comparable |
| Brandable? | ★ Custom printing available | Limited options |