Using durable, high-quality packing tape ensures the integrity of your shipment. Here’s how to find the best kinds of tape for your needs.
If you own a business or run a courier service, then you already know the importance of shipping. To satisfy your customers, you have to make sure that it reaches them on time and that they receive the shipment in one piece. Unfortunately, it’s not just delivery people who mistreat the packages when loading, unloading, and delivering; the surrounding conditions and contaminants also greatly impact the integrity of both the packaging and the products inside.
It’s not news that the packaging of a product can be damaged during transport. One of the many reasons behind damaged shipments is incorrect packing tape. Loose or weak tape can cause tears in the package, consequently leading to contamination of the products (by bacteria or germs) inside. So how do you solve this issue?
How to Find the Correct Kind of Packing Tape
Packing tape serves the purpose of creating a tight seal around the shipment to ensure the safety of the products inside. When picking out a roll of tape, you have to think about the things that might cause the tape to come off or get destroyed. Here are some of the key factors to keep in mind.
Find Tape That Can Be Customized
The tape can also be used as a label in addition to sealing. Customizable shipping tape may help distinguish your company’s items from others even while they’re being shipped. During delivery, it’s fairly usual for shipping or packing labels to break off or become damaged. If your tape has your company’s logo or name on them, then the recipient will at least be able to recognize that they got the right package.
Purchase Tape of Different Grades
One of the mistakes that are made frequently during the packaging process is the use of only one kind of tape for all types of packages. You have to remember that not all kinds of tape are made for the same kind of packages. Industrial purpose tape is usually graded, and you should try and buy tapes of different grades.
The grade of a tape corresponds to the thickness and strength of the adhesive on its backing. For instance, thinner tapes have a lower grade. The glue isn’t that strong, and it’s usually very thin. This is perfect for sealing cartons that are much smaller and lighter. Similarly, higher grades of tape are more durable and thick. The glue is stronger as well and therefore for packing large shipments.
Furthermore, choosing the proper grade of tape doesn’t just secure the shipment; it also simplifies the unboxing process and reduces waste. Imagine if a customer had to pry their way through a very thick layer of packing tape just to unbox a watch. That certainly won’t add to a good review for your service.
The Tape Should Be Resistant to Adverse Conditions
Preparing a shipment to endure a rough delivery route is only doing half the job. The environmental conditions surrounding the shipment are seldom thought of. Delivery trucks or cars travel from one place to another, which means that the shipment is exposed to a drastic change of environment.
Factors like temperature and humidity greatly affect the longevity of your tape. The moisture in the air can slowly dampen the adhesive and cause the tape to gradually peel away from the packaging. The same can be said about temperature; some products need to be packaged in the cold. When it’s moved, the glue cannot always keep up with the frequent fluctuations in temperature.
Long story short, your packing tape needs to be weather-proof. Research a variety of tape companies to find the kind of tape you need.
Tape Must Be Compatible with the Surface of Adhesion
As discussed before, there are different kinds of tape available for different packaging types. With that being said, it’s important to note that your tape won’t always stick to every surface.
The adhesion surface is the area where the tape is usually applied. The tape might not always be compatible with the adhesion surface. Whenever you purchase tape, make sure to read what it is intended to be used on.
Always Look for Quality
Of course, this is no secret. All industrial-grade equipment must be of good quality. So how do you differentiate between the different kinds of tape out there? The answer is simple: Look up reviews online. Don’t just read the first one that pops up on your screen. Instead, do an extensive amount of research about the company in question. Go through the negative reviews as well. They may not necessarily apply to you or your company, but you will still know what to expect and what to be wary of.
Reading reviews will also help you weigh the pros and cons of the different brands of tape. This way, you will be able to make an educated decision. If the best option for you still has some downsides, you will at least figure out how to deal with that during the packing process.
How to Maximize the Effectiveness of Your Shipping Tape
Even if you have the best equipment, you still run the risk of messing things up. Chances are, your crew isn’t particularly aware of how to properly use tape or the tape is provided with special instructions. In any case, you can eliminate errors and maximize the effectiveness of your tape in the following ways:
- Make sure you prepare the surface of adhesion properly. If your tape isn’t sticking, then it’s highly likely that the surface is either damaged or damp.
- Limit human contact. It’s best to use automated machines for the sealing process. That way, you end up saving time and making fewer errors. Applying tapes manually is the conventional way of doing things; however, human errors can sometimes prove detrimental to the shipment. Therefore, you need both high-quality tapes and fully functioning tape applicators.
