Box Sealing Tape & Carton Sealing Tape
The right tape for every box and every dockThe right tape keeps boxes closed from your dock to your customer’s door. August Packaging supplies hot melt, acrylic, natural rubber and water-activated carton sealing tape, plus the dispensers and case sealers that apply it.
Types of box sealing tape
Hot melt tape
The everyday workhorse. It grabs fast, holds well on most corrugated and runs smoothly through case sealers. A good choice for most indoor shipping at normal temperatures.
Acrylic tape
Stays clear, resists UV and aging, and works across a wide temperature range. Good for boxes that will be stored a long time, labels you need to see through, and quiet hand taping.
Natural rubber tape
The strongest grab on hard-to-seal boxes, including cold or freezer storage, dusty or humid warehouses, high-recycled-content corrugated and heavy packages.
Water-activated tape (WAT)
Paper tape with an adhesive that bonds into the box fibers. Plain and reinforced versions. It's tamper-evident, recyclable with the box and can be custom printed with your logo.
Which tape should you use?
| Your situation | Best fit |
|---|---|
| General shipping, normal temperatures, case sealer or hand dispenser | Hot melt |
| Long-term storage, sunlight or heat, clear label protection | Acrylic |
| Cold rooms, freezers, dusty or humid docks, recycled boxes | Natural rubber |
| High-value e-commerce, theft concerns, heavy boxes, branding | Water-activated (reinforced) |
| Very heavy or overpacked boxes | 3" heavy-duty tape or reinforced WAT |
Thickness, width and roll length
Thickness (mil)
- 1.6–1.9 mil: light-duty boxes under about 30 lbs.
- 2.0–2.5 mil: the general-purpose range most shippers use.
- 2.6–3.0+ mil: heavy boxes, rough handling and overpacked cartons.
Width
2" (48 mm) tape covers most cartons. 3" (72 mm) tape gives more holding power on larger, heavier boxes and covers wider flap gaps.
Roll length
Hand rolls usually run 55 or 110 yards. Machine-length rolls of 1,000 yards or more mean fewer roll changes on a case sealer.
Tape dispensers and case sealers
Tape only works when it's applied the same way every time. We supply hand dispensers, water-activated tape dispensers and semi-automatic and automatic case sealers. Through August Automation we sell and support Interpack case sealers from Intertape (IPG), built for random or uniform box sizes.
Custom printed tape
Printed carton tape and printed water-activated tape put your logo, handling instructions or a "do not accept if seal is broken" message on every box. It brands your shipments and makes tampering obvious.
Local supply in every major U.S. market
Headquartered in St. Louis since 1987, August Packaging has 3PL partner facilities supporting every major market in the U.S., including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Louisville, St. Louis and Northern and Southern California. You get local supply and a sales team that supports you wherever you ship from. See our locations.
Why buy box sealing tape from August Packaging
- Local supply in every major U.S. market through our 3PL partner facilities.
- Packaging experts since 1987. We'll match the tape to your boxes, temperatures and equipment.
- Brands you know, including Intertape (IPG) carton sealing and water-activated tapes.
- Stocking programs and VMI keep tape on the shelf without tying up your space.
- One supplier for the whole packout: boxes, tape, void fill, stretch film and the equipment to run them.
Box sealing tape FAQs
What's the difference between hot melt and acrylic tape?
Hot melt sticks faster and holds better at first, so it's the usual choice for case sealers and everyday shipping. Acrylic takes longer to reach full strength but resists yellowing, UV and temperature swings, so it's better for long storage and clear label protection.
Why won't my packing tape stick to my boxes?
Common causes are cold temperatures, dust, high-recycled-content corrugated or tape that's too thin. Natural rubber or water-activated tape usually fixes it. We can look at your boxes and conditions and recommend a tape.
Is water-activated tape better than plastic tape?
For many e-commerce and heavy shipments, yes. Water-activated tape bonds into the box fibers, shows tampering and is recyclable with the carton. It needs a WAT dispenser, so it suits packing stations that seal a lot of boxes.
What thickness of carton sealing tape do I need?
Most shippers do well with 2.0–2.5 mil. Go to 2.6 mil or more for heavy or overpacked boxes and rough handling.
Can I get tape printed with my logo?
Yes. We supply custom printed carton sealing tape and printed water-activated tape. Contact us with your artwork and quantities for pricing.
Stop fighting with your tape
Tell us what boxes you seal, how many a day and where they're stored. We'll recommend a tape and send pricing.