Water Activated Paper Tape
- Material: Kraft paper backing
- Adhesive: Starch/gum adhesive
- Color: Natural kraft or white
- Width: 48 mm, 60 mm, 70 mm, 72 mm
- Length: 50 m, 100 m, 137 m, 183 m
- Type: Plain or reinforced
Pro Pack Tape Company is a Water Activated Paper Tape manufacturer for corrugated carton sealing that needs a strong, paper-based, tamper-evident closure. The tape uses kraft paper with a dry starch/gum adhesive layer that activates only after wetting. Applied with a sponge or water activated tape dispenser, the adhesive sets into carton fibers as it dries. Plain and reinforced grades are available for warehouse packing, parcel shipping, export cartons, and recycled board.
Product Video
Product Overview
Water Activated Paper Tape is used when a corrugated carton needs a paper-to-paper seal that becomes part of the box surface. The adhesive side is dry before use, so the roll stays clean during storage, feeding, and cutting. Once water reaches the adhesive layer, the starch/gum coating softens and grips the porous carton surface.
This is the main difference between water activated kraft paper tape and self-adhesive kraft tape. Instead of depending only on surface tack, the activated adhesive dries with the carton fibers. On uncoated kraft cartons, a well-wetted strip normally leaves fiber tear or a clear removal mark during peel checks. For packaging teams that need a tamper evident carton sealing tape, this makes opening easier to identify.
Pro Pack Tape Company supplies plain grades for standard cartons and reinforced grades for tougher shipping. Plain tape works well on lighter boxes, palletized loads, and neat paper-based packaging. Reinforced tape adds fiberglass, polyester fiber, or thread reinforcement to reduce seam splitting. Samples should be checked on actual carton board, because recycled content, dust, surface sizing, board stiffness, and water amount can change final seal performance.
Benefits
- Forms a strong paper-to-paper bond after drying.
- Shows visible carton damage when removal is attempted.
- Supports recyclable corrugated packaging programs.
- Stays dry on the roll before water activation.
- Works with sponge wetting, hand dispensers, and electric dispensers.
- Offers plain and reinforced structures for different carton risks.
- Available in kraft, white, or printed options with a starch adhesive coating.
When Should You Use Plain or Reinforced Water Activated Paper Tape?
Plain water activated paper tape is usually enough for light to medium cartons, inner cartons, palletized loads, and packing lines that avoid aggressive parcel sorting. It tears more easily by hand and gives the package a clean paper finish. Reinforced grades are safer when carton weight, recycled board quality, overfilled flaps, or non-unitized shipping puts extra stress on the center seam. Test both grades on the same loaded carton with the same water amount, sealing pressure, and drying time.
TDS
Item | Typical Value |
Product Type | Water activated paper tape |
Backing Material | Kraft paper |
Adhesive Type | Water activated starch/gum adhesive |
Tape Structure | Plain, fiberglass reinforced, polyester reinforced, or thread reinforced |
Total Thickness | 0.12-0.18 mm |
Common Width | 48 mm, 60 mm, 70 mm, 72 mm, or custom |
Roll Length | 50 m, 100 m, 137 m, 183 m, or custom |
Color | Natural kraft, white, or printed surface |
MD Tensile Strength | 60-110 N/10 mm |
CD Tensile Strength | 20-50 N/10 mm |
Suggested Water Temperature | Around 43 C / 110 F |
Application Temperature | 0 C-43 C |
Application Surface | Corrugated carton and paper-based substrates |
Application Method | Sponge, manual dispenser, or electric dispenser |
Test Condition Note | Values vary with board surface, water amount, pressure, drying time, and grade |
Sample Test Focus | Edge lift, fiber tear, carton weight, drying time, removal mark |
Product production
Applications
- Corrugated cartons on warehouse packing lines.
- E-commerce parcels needing visible tamper evidence.
- Export cartons with repeated seam handling.
- Recycled cartons needing stronger paper-to-paper bonding.
- Inner cartons and master cartons sealed with gummed paper tape for carton sealing.
- High-value packaging where removal marks show unauthorized opening.
How Does Water Activated Paper Tape Bond to Carton Fibers?
The bond starts when water reaches the dry adhesive layer. A sponge, hand dispenser, or electric dispenser wets the adhesive side, allowing the starch/gum coating to soften before the strip is placed on the box. Light pressure helps the adhesive contact the uneven paper surface and move into small fiber gaps. As it dries, the adhesive anchors into the carton face instead of peeling away as a loose film. If the strip lifts cleanly during peel checks, review water amount, dispenser brush condition, carton dust, coated board surface, or drying time before changing tape grade.
When paper tape is used for export cartons or recycled board, the paper-based carton sealing for transit guide can help review activation, drying time, fiber tear, and handling checks.
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FAQ
Is this tape the same as self-adhesive kraft tape?
No. It needs water before application. Self-adhesive kraft tape uses pressure-sensitive adhesive already tacky on the roll.
Can it be used without a dispenser?
Yes. Small runs can be wetted with a sponge. For repeated sealing, a water activated tape dispenser gives more stable wetting and cutting length.
Which grade should be tested first?
Test plain tape for light or palletized cartons. Test reinforced tape for heavier boxes, recycled cartons, parcel shipping, or overfilled flaps.
What should be checked before bulk use?
Check carton surface, loaded box weight, water amount, sealing pressure, edge lift, fiber tear, drying time, and process compatibility.
