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Reinforced Water Activated Tape

Central Reinforced Tape is a gummed paper tape designed for fast, permanent adhesion, great flexibility and superior strength. Also Central Brand Tape and our economy Water Activated Tape are compatible with most automatic tape machines including Better Pack Tape Dispensers.

Central Reinforced Paper Tape

  • Central 235 - For Sealing Boxes up to 25 lbs
  • Central 240 - For Sealing Boxes up to 30 lbs
  • Central 250 - For Sealing Boxes up to 50 lbs
  • Central 260 - For Sealing Boxes up to 55 lbs
  • Central 270 - For Sealing Boxes up to 75 lbs
  • All of the above are not affected by extreme hot or cold temperatures.
  • Custom Water Activated Tape

Central 235 - Reinforced For Sealing Boxes up to 25 lbs

Central 240 - Reinforced For Sealing Boxes up to 30 lbs

Central 250 - Reinforced For Sealing Boxes up to 50 lbs

Central 260 - Reinforced For Sealing Boxes up to 55 lbs

Central 270 - Reinforced For Sealing Boxes up to 75 lbs

Reinforced and Non-Reinforced Kraft Tape (Economy)

Custom Water Activated Packing Tape

If you're already using water activated tape for its superior hold and tamper evident seal, custom printing is a natural upgrade. Our custom printed water activated tape gives you the same aggressive, fiber reinforced bond that makes this tape the preferred choice for high volume shipping operations, with your logo, brand colors, or messaging printed directly on the tape. For fulfillment centers, manufacturers, and distributors sealing hundreds or thousands of boxes a day, every piece of tape is a branding opportunity that ships with your product all the way to your customer's door. 

Better Pack Manual Tape Dispenser

Water Activated Tape Dispensers

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How to use water-activated tape

Water-activated tape, or gummed tape, is often used to seal boxes and packages because it sticks well and keeps the box flaps securely closed. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use it:

  1. Prepare the Tape and Dispenser: If you're using a manual water-activated tape dispenser, ensure it's filled with water. For electronic dispensers, make sure it's plugged in and the water reservoir is filled.
  2. Measure and Cut the Tape: Measure the length of tape needed to seal your box. For a standard box, the tape should be long enough to cover the center seam and extend over the edges by at least 2-3 inches on each side. Cut the tape with the dispenser’s built-in cutter or scissors.
  3. Activate the Adhesive: Water-activated tape has a dry, adhesive side that needs to be moistened. If using a manual dispenser, pull the tape through the wetting mechanism to dampen the adhesive. For an electronic dispenser, the tape comes out pre-moistened.
  4. Apply the Tape: Align the start of the tape at the center of the box seam, ensuring it’s centered. Press down and smooth out the tape as you lay it across the seam, extending to the sides of the box. The tape should adhere firmly and evenly.
    Seal the Edges: Press down the edges of the tape to ensure it sticks well to the box. This step is crucial for the tape’s adhesive to bond properly with the cardboard.
  5. Let it Dry: Allow the tape a few moments to dry and fully bond with the cardboard. Once dry, the tape forms a strong, tamper-evident seal.
  6. Repeat for Other Seams: If necessary, apply additional strips of tape to other seams or areas that require reinforcement.

 

Water-activated tape makes a stronger seal than regular packing tape, so it's great for heavy packages. It's also good for the earth because a lot of the time it's made from materials that can be recycled. Keep the tape in a dry place so that the sticky doesn't become prematurely activated.

Frequently Asked Questions of Water Activated or Gummed Tape

What is water activated tape?

Water-activated kraft paper tape needs water to activate its adhesive qualities. There is a special kind of glue that is activated by applying water to the glue side. It is used to provide a substantial seal on cardboard boxes and packages. It is sometimes called gummed tape or jute tape. Water-activated tape is different from regular pressure-sensitive tapes, like the clear plastic tape that you see a lot in homes and offices.

How does water activated tape work?

A moisture-activated glue is what makes water-activated tape work. This glue, which is usually made from starch, is dry to the touch when stored in arid conditions. When water is put on the tape, it triggers the glue, making it sticky and ready to be used. This step makes it possible for the tape to adhere strongly to the surface it's put on, which is usually cardboard. When the tape dries, it forms a seal that can't be broken and has become "one" with the cardboard. 

How to use water-activated tape without dispenser?

It takes a little more work to use water-activated tape without an automatic dispenser, but it's still easy to do.

  1. First, measure and cut a piece of tape long enough to cover the seam of the box and leave a few inches of extra space around the sides. 
  2. Then, lightly wet the sticky side of the tape with a sponge or a damp cloth, making sure the whole surface is moistened but not too wet.
  3. Start in the middle of the seam and carefully work your way out to the edges as you put the tape over it. To make sure the tape sticks well to the cardboard, press down hard along the length of it and smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles. To get the glue to work and make a strong bond, you need to apply even pressure.
  4. After letting the tape dry for a short time, the glue will fully adhere to the box, making a seal that can't be broken. Even if you don't have a special tape dispenser, this method works to make sure packages are sealed tightly, even without a dispenser.

Is water activated tape eco friendly?

Most people think that water-activated tape is eco-friendly because of how it is made and disposed of. Water-activated tape is a more environmentally friendly option than plastic-based tapes because it is mainly made from biodegradable, reusable kraft paper and a starch-based adhesive. Because it comes from plants, the glue or gum doesn't have any dangerous chemicals often used in synthetic glues. Because the tape fully fuses with the cardboard when it's put on, recycling becomes much more accessible. Boxes sealed with water-activated tape don't need to have the tape taken off before they can be recycled, but boxes sealed with plastic tape do. 

International Plastics, Inc.

Email: sales@interplas.com

Phone: 1-800-820-4722

Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm EST

Address: 185 Commerce Ctr, Greenville, SC 29615-5817

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