BOPP tape: plastic film tape for cartons up to 60 kg

BOPP tape is a plastic film tape, 48 mm wide and 66 m per roll, with a total thickness of 50 µm. It uses an acrylic adhesive and is offered in brown or transparent. This tape is rated for cartons up to 60 kg and works in temperatures from -20 °C to +60 °C.

Order BOPP tape by the box (72 rolls, minimum order 2 boxes or 144 rolls) or by the pallet (3024 rolls, one color per pallet). Peel adhesion on steel is at least 4.5 N/25 mm, tensile strength is 35 N/cm, and elongation is at least 150%. This tape is suitable for sealing cartons in warehouses and shipping departments.

BOPP stands for biaxially oriented polypropylene.

If you seal cartons heavier than 60 kg or store them in temperatures outside this range, the tape may not hold.

You can choose either brown or transparent BOPP tape. Brown tape blends in with brown cartons for a uniform look. Transparent tape allows you to see print or barcodes underneath, which is helpful for labeled cartons or those with printed instructions. When ordering by the pallet, the color is selected for the entire pallet, so plan accordingly if you need both colors for different packing lines.

A box of BOPP tape contains 72 rolls, totaling 4752 meters of tape. The minimum order is 2 boxes, or 144 rolls. A pallet holds 3024 rolls and is best for facilities that use tape daily and have storage space. The shelf life is 12 months, so order what you expect to use in a year and use the oldest rolls first. Store boxes off the floor and away from dust to keep the adhesive clean.

The peel adhesion value of at least 4.5 N per 25 mm is measured on steel, which is a standard for comparing tapes. Actual performance on your cartons depends on the cardboard surface, dust, moisture, and carton temperature.

The 12-month shelf life starts from the date the goods leave our warehouse and applies only to rolls kept in their original packaging.

Kraft paper tape: recyclable and self-adhesive

Kraft paper tape is 50 mm wide and 50 m per roll, supplied in boxes of 72 rolls (3600 m total). It is self-adhesive with a natural rubber adhesive. The tape is brown, unprinted, and can be recycled with the cardboard without removal.

This kraft paper tape adheres to recycled cardboard and removes cleanly without sticky residue. It is water-resistant but not waterproof. It fits carton sealers that accept 48-72 mm tape and can also be used with a hand dispenser.

This tape is self-adhesive, so you do not need water or a wetting dispenser, unlike gummed paper tape.

Since both the tape and carton are paper, cartons sealed with kraft paper tape can go directly into cardboard recycling. There is no need to remove a plastic strip first.

Because it removes cleanly, this tape is suitable for cartons that are opened and reused. The tape is water-resistant but not waterproof. If cartons are left outside or exposed to rain, the seal may soften, so use a cover or another closure in those situations. Each roll is 50 m, so you will change rolls more often than with a 66 m BOPP roll in a busy tape head.

The kraft paper tape does not list a temperature range on its product page. It holds well in normal warehouse temperatures, but may lose grip in extreme heat or cold. If your cartons pass through very hot or cold areas, test the tape on your own cartons first.

Remove rolls from the box one at a time to keep unused rolls clean, as recommended on the product page. Keep the box closed between uses.

Comparison table: parcel tape options

The table below compares the three parcel tape products by material, roll size, pack size, color, and carton rating.

To use the table, start by choosing the material: plastic BOPP or kraft paper. Next, select the pack size that fits your needs—either a box of 72 rolls or a pallet of 3024 rolls for BOPP tape. Then choose the color: brown or transparent for BOPP, brown for kraft paper tape. The last column shows the carton weight and temperature range for BOPP tape, which is rated for cartons up to 60 kg and for -20 °C to +60 °C. Kraft paper tape does not have a rating in this column because its product page does not specify carton weight or temperature range. Where these limits are important, BOPP tape provides stated figures.

Using parcel tape in a carton sealer or by hand

Both the 48 mm BOPP tape and the 50 mm kraft paper tape are compatible with the carton sealers available in the shop. These machines accept tape widths from 48-72 mm or 48-60 mm, so both types fit. A carton sealer applies tape to the top and bottom of the carton in a single pass.

You can also apply kraft paper tape using a hand dispenser.

Three of our case sealers accept tape widths from 48 to 72 mm, and two accept 48 to 60 mm, so both tape types fit.

A case sealer applies tape to both the top and bottom of each carton in a single pass, using two rolls at once—one in the upper tape head and one in the lower. Keep extra rolls near the machine to prevent downtime when a roll runs out.

Paper tape is thicker than BOPP tape, so the tape head needs to be set to higher tension for it. The tape head is adjusted for one width and type at a time, so switching between BOPP and paper tape requires resetting the head. One case erector in our shop lists tape widths of 50 or 60 mm, so the 50 mm kraft paper tape fits, but the 48 mm BOPP tape does not. Kraft paper tape can also be used with a hand dispenser, which is convenient for sealing a few cartons daily or at a packing table without a sealer. The machines require dry, clean, undamaged corrugated cartons; plastic-coated cartons cannot be taped.

Choosing parcel tape: plastic or paper

Your choice between BOPP and kraft paper parcel tape depends on your carton recycling process, the carton surface, and environmental considerations. Kraft paper tape is recyclable with cardboard, so you can place the entire sealed carton in cardboard recycling without removing the tape. It adheres to recycled cardboard and removes cleanly without sticky residue. BOPP tape is a plastic film, so sealing with BOPP means plastic on a paper carton.

If your cartons are made from recycled cardboard, note that kraft paper tape is specified to adhere to it. For cartons up to 60 kg, use BOPP tape; for cold or hot environments, BOPP tape is rated for -20 °C to +60 °C. Brown tape matches brown cartons, while clear BOPP tape allows you to read any print or labels underneath.

Moisture is a limitation for kraft paper tape. While it is water-resistant and can handle some moisture, it is not waterproof. If cartons are stored outdoors or exposed to rain, the paper tape may soften and lose its hold. In these cases, use a cover or a different closure method.

If you need to seal cartons heavier than 60 kg, this exceeds the BOPP tape’s rating, and kraft paper tape does not specify a weight limit. In these situations, seal the carton with tape as usual, but also secure it with strap from the packing materials category.

When cartons go through a cold storage area, an unheated truck in winter, or a hot container, BOPP tape is the option with a specified temperature range of -20 °C to +60 °C.

How to apply parcel tape to cartons

To seal a carton, apply one strip of parcel tape along the center seam of the top flaps and press it down firmly. Extend the tape past each end of the carton to create a tape leg. Repeat this process on the bottom. Pressing the tape down firmly, especially at the folded ends, is essential for a strong seal.

Always use clean, dry cartons at room temperature. Dust, moisture, or cold cardboard can reduce how well parcel tape sticks. For heavy or fully packed cartons, add a second strip across the first at a right angle. Store tape rolls in their box, in a dry place off the floor, to keep the adhesive clean.

The two folded ends are where a carton is most likely to open. In a case sealer, the tape head rollers press the tape down as the carton moves through.

If cartons come from cold storage or an unheated area, let them warm to room temperature before applying tape.

The cutter blade on a tape head or hand dispenser is sharp, so always turn off the machine before changing a roll to prevent injury.

When sealing cartons by hand, fold and align the flaps before taping so the tape runs along a closed seam.

In a case sealer, the tape leg is set on the tape head. On one of our sealers, you can adjust the leg from 5 to 50 mm. If the leg is too long or too short, adjust the blade support for the front leg and the limit block for the rear leg. When loading a roll, thread the tape over the rollers with the adhesive side out and center the roll on its holder. If the tape is not centered on the seam, adjust its position on the tape head. The carton must run down the center of the machine with a gap between cartons. If the blade is set too high, it scrapes the carton; if too low, it will not cut the tape. If the tape is not pressed down, check for poor tape quality or a stuck or faulty front or one-way roller. A torn tape end can also be caused by a weak pull spring.

What sets the price of parcel tape

The price of parcel tape depends on whether you choose BOPP or paper tape, the pack size (box or pallet), and the total meters per pack. A box of BOPP tape contains 4,752 m, while a box of kraft paper tape contains 3,600 m. Prices are shown on each product card; the parent category packing materials includes other consumables.

To compare prices, divide the pack price by the total meters in the pack. For BOPP tape, that’s 72 × 66 m per box; for kraft paper tape, it’s 72 × 50 m per box. This lets you compare the cost per meter for both types and pack sizes.

Each product card in the shop features a Get offer button for requesting a quote and an Add to inquiry button so you can group several products in one request. For example, you can request tape along with a case sealer or other packing materials.

A pallet of BOPP tape holds 3,024 rolls, totaling 199,584 m of tape. For reference, the minimum box order is 2 boxes, or 144 rolls, which equals 9,504 meters of tape.

What to check before ordering parcel tape

Before ordering parcel tape, check your carton weights and the type of cardboard you use. Consider whether cartons will be stored or shipped in damp, cold, or hot conditions. If you use recycled cardboard, kraft paper tape is specified to adhere to it.

Check whether you use a hand dispenser or a case sealer and what tape width it requires. If you want the entire carton to be recycled together, kraft paper tape is a good choice. Decide between brown or clear tape and estimate your weekly tape usage in meters.

Calculate how much tape you use per carton: add the seam length and the two tape legs on the top, and repeat for the bottom. Divide the roll length—66 m for BOPP tape or 50 m for kraft paper tape—by the tape used per carton to see how many cartons one roll can seal.

Multiply the tape used per carton by the number of cartons you seal each week to determine your weekly tape usage in meters. Compare this to the 4,752 meters in a box of BOPP tape, 3,600 meters in a box of kraft paper tape, or the 3,024 rolls on a pallet. This helps you plan your order frequency and storage needs.

Check the heaviest carton you seal against the 60 kg rating for BOPP tape. Also, check the lowest and highest temperatures your cartons encounter against its -20 °C to +60 °C range.

Check the tape width your case sealer or case erector requires on its product page before ordering tape. Plan tape storage: a box of rolls fits on a shelf near the packing table, while a pallet of 3,024 rolls needs a pallet spot and a pallet truck for moving.

Ordering a full pallet makes sense only if you will use all the tape within its 12-month shelf life. With 3,024 rolls per pallet, that means using about 58 rolls each week. If your operation uses fewer rolls, ordering by the box is a better choice to prevent tape from expiring before use.

Before committing to a pallet order, test the tape from a box order on your own cartons and with your tape heads.

Questions about parcel tape

Should I choose BOPP or kraft paper tape for sealing cartons?

BOPP tape is a plastic film tape available in brown or clear, and is rated for sealing cartons up to 60 kg. Kraft paper tape is brown, unprinted, recyclable with the carton, and adheres well to recycled cardboard.

What is the maximum carton weight BOPP tape can seal, and what temperature range does it handle?

BOPP tape is suitable for sealing cartons weighing up to 60 kg. It performs in temperatures from -20 °C to +60 °C.

Is this tape compatible with a case sealer?

Both 48 mm wide BOPP tape and 50 mm wide kraft paper tape fit case sealers designed for tape widths from 48–72 mm or 48–60 mm. Both types work with the shop’s case sealers; if your case erector only accepts 50 or 60 mm tape, use the kraft paper tape, as the 48 mm BOPP tape will not fit.

How is the tape packaged, and what is the minimum order quantity?

BOPP tape comes in boxes of 72 rolls or pallets of 3,024 rolls. The minimum order for BOPP tape by the box is 2 boxes, totaling 144 rolls. Kraft paper tape is packaged in boxes of 72 rolls.