The right packing tape depends on what you are shipping. For most everyday boxes, paper (kraft) tape gives the most secure, recyclable seal; polypropylene tape is the cheapest and most widely used for high-volume dispatch; and PVC tape is the quiet, heavy-duty option for large or awkwardly shaped parcels. Below we compare all three on strength, cost, noise, appearance and recyclability so you can choose with confidence.
The three main packing tape materials explained
Nearly every roll of packing tape sold in the UK falls into one of three families. They look similar on the shelf but behave very differently once they are on a box, so it pays to understand what sets them apart before you commit to a bulk order of custom printed packing tape.
Paper (kraft) tape
Paper tape is made from wood-based kraft paper coated with an adhesive. It comes in two forms: self-adhesive paper tape, which sticks on contact like ordinary tape, and water-activated gummed tape, which is moistened so the starch-based glue bonds into the fibres of the cardboard. Gummed paper tape forms a permanent, tamper-evident seal that becomes part of the box itself. We covered this in more detail in our guide to why water-activated gummed tape seals boxes better.
Polypropylene (BOPP) tape
Polypropylene tape, often called BOPP, is the familiar clear or brown plastic tape you see on most parcels. The film is biaxially oriented, meaning it is stretched in two directions during manufacture to boost strength and clarity. It is inexpensive, bonds to most surfaces without preparation and works reliably across a wide temperature range, which is why it dominates busy dispatch benches.
PVC tape
PVC tape uses a polyvinyl chloride film with a rubber-based adhesive. It is thicker and more flexible than polypropylene, conforms neatly to irregular surfaces and unwinds quietly. That combination makes it a favourite for heavier cartons and for packing areas where constant tape noise would be a nuisance.
Strength and holding power
For sheer holding power on heavy or overfilled boxes, reinforced paper tape and PVC tape lead the field. Gummed paper tape bonds directly into the corrugated board, so a single strip often seals a box that would otherwise need two or three passes of plastic tape. PVC's rubber-based adhesive grips firmly and keeps its hold in cold and humid conditions where some plastic tapes struggle.
Polypropylene is perfectly strong for standard e-commerce parcels, but its adhesive can lose tack in very cold warehouses and on dusty or recycled cardboard. If you regularly ship heavier goods, a reinforced or gummed option will give you a more reliable seal.
Cost, speed and appearance
Budget and throughput matter as much as raw strength. Here is how the three compare in day-to-day use:
- Polypropylene: the cheapest per metre and the most familiar to packers, making it ideal for high-volume, cost-sensitive operations. It can wrinkle on curved surfaces and crackles loudly off the roll.
- PVC: more expensive than polypropylene, but it unwinds quietly, conforms to angled and curved boxes without wrinkling and gives a smart, smooth finish.
- Paper (kraft): mid-priced and the strongest brand-building choice. It takes print beautifully, has a premium, sustainable feel and reinforces your identity every time a customer receives a parcel, as explained in our post on how branded tape boosts e-commerce sales.
Whichever material you pick, a decent tape dispenser speeds up sealing and reduces waste, particularly with water-activated paper tape that needs a wetting dispenser to activate the glue.
Recyclability and sustainability
This is where the materials diverge most sharply. Paper tape, especially gummed kraft tape with a natural starch adhesive, can be recycled together with the cardboard box in normal kerbside collections. It does not need to be peeled off and it does not clog sorting machinery. Guidance from Recycle Now confirms that clean cardboard is widely recyclable, and paper tape lets the whole package go in one stream.
Polypropylene and PVC tapes are plastic. They are generally not recycled with cardboard and, if left on a box, can contaminate the paper recycling process. Reducing avoidable plastic packaging is a stated aim of UK policy, reflected in measures such as the Plastic Packaging Tax, so switching sealing tape to paper is a simple way to cut the plastic in your dispatch process. At Fast Printed Tapes our paper tapes are made from 60 to 90 per cent recycled materials and are easily recyclable in the UK.
Which packing tape should you choose?
As a quick rule of thumb: choose paper tape if branding, tamper evidence and recyclability matter most; choose polypropylene if you are sealing large volumes of standard boxes on the tightest budget; and choose PVC if you need a quiet, flexible, heavy-duty tape for awkward or weighty cartons. Many businesses use a combination, matching the tape to the job rather than forcing one roll to do everything.
Frequently asked questions
Is paper tape stronger than plastic tape?
Water-activated gummed paper tape can produce a stronger overall seal than standard plastic tape because its adhesive bonds into the fibres of the cardboard rather than just sticking to the surface. For very heavy loads, reinforced paper tape and PVC tape both outperform ordinary polypropylene.
Can you recycle polypropylene and PVC packing tape?
Not easily. Both are plastic and are generally not accepted in kerbside cardboard recycling. Left on a box they can contaminate the paper stream, so they should ideally be removed before recycling. Paper tape avoids this problem because it can be recycled along with the box.
Why is PVC tape quieter than polypropylene tape?
PVC film and its rubber-based adhesive release smoothly from the roll, producing far less noise than polypropylene, which crackles loudly as it unwinds. That makes PVC a popular choice for quiet warehouses and offices.
Which tape is best for custom printing and branding?
Paper (kraft) tape is the strongest choice for branding. It takes full-colour print crisply, has a premium sustainable feel and turns every parcel into a marketing touchpoint. Polypropylene can also be printed for lower-cost, high-volume runs.
Do I need a special dispenser for water-activated paper tape?
Yes. Water-activated gummed tape needs a wetting dispenser to moisten the glue as the tape is cut. Self-adhesive paper, polypropylene and PVC tapes work with a standard hand-held tape gun.
Ready to seal smarter?
If you want packaging that protects your products and promotes your brand, custom printed paper tape is hard to beat. Explore our range of custom printed water-activated gummed tape and full-colour options at Fast Printed Tapes, printed in the UK with a free proof service and fast next-day delivery available. Have a question about the right tape for your boxes? Get in touch with our team and we will help you choose.