Strength Meets Style: Top Custom Printed Tapes for Shipping Heavy Packages

It goes without saying that every shipment should be packaged securely. However, strong packaging becomes especially crucial when you're shipping something heavy.

This is true for several reasons. The most important is that heavyweight items put more stress on the packing equipment during transit. Standard packaging materials may not be able to handle the pressure. However, heavyweight-approved packaging materials get the job done with no damage.

If you need to ship something large and heavy, make sure you have the right materials: sturdy cardboard boxes with an appropriate weight capacity, protective padding, and strong adhesive, like a roll of custom shipping tape from Tape Jungle.

Whether or not a roll of tape has a customized design has nothing to do with how well it secures a weighty package. But personalization doesn't hurt, especially when you're sending something on behalf of a business. When you put your company name or logo on a roll of heavy-duty shipping tape, the package will stay secure in transit, and the recipient will know it's from you even before they open the box.

Why Custom Printed Tape is Essential for Heavy Packages

The bottom line: you need custom shipping tape on hand if you plan to mail something heavy.

Though often lumped into the same category, shipping tape is not the same as standard packing tape. Shipping tape is the stronger of the two, both in terms of materials used to make it and adhesive power.

When the shipping tape you use is customized with your business name or logo, you're increasing your brand visibility. The customer will notice your brand first when their long-awaited product finally arrives in the mail. That makes the unboxing experience more exciting.

Anyone who helped the package get to its final destination will see your brand, too. Seeing your business logo on a roll of reinforced printed tape will either remind them of or introduce them to your business. It may even inspire them to make a purchase themselves.

Custom shipping tape has two more benefits: a professional appearance and added security. Packages just look nicer with your business name or logo printed onto the tape. Plus, a printed adhesive creates a tamper-evident seal. If anyone tries to open the package before it reaches the customer, you'll be able to tell by looking at the images or words on the tape.

Key Features to Look for in Heavy-Duty Custom Printed Tapes

Before purchasing heavy-duty shipping tape, make sure it has these characteristics:

Strong Adhesive Strength

You want your tape to stick and stay stuck under all conditions. Your shipping tape should be able to withstand stress from the box's weight, rough handling by shipping staff or packing equipment, and bumpy transit conditions. When a tape has strong adhesive properties, it won't compromise the integrity of the package by peeling or breaking. The stronger the tape, the harder it is for someone to tamper with the package or open it without authorization. There will be clear signs if someone interfered with the shipment before it reached the customer.

It's also worth noting that ultra-strong tape saves you time and money. You won't have to double- or triple-tape the package, meaning you won't use up your tape too quickly. And because strong shipping tape minimizes the chances of packages being damaged or tampered with during transit, you won't have to spend time processing returns or handling customer claims.

High Tensile Strength Materials

Tensile strength refers to a product's ability to withstand a lot of stretching or pulling before breaking or becoming permanently deformed. The higher the tensile strength, the more it can handle.

Choose a custom shipping tape made from a high tensile strength material. Tape Jungle's 3 main options are:

• Kraft paper: Kraft paper tape, also known as water-activated tape, is made of high-quality kraft paper and requires water to adhere to a surface.
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): PVC film tape gets its strength from the thick plastic material used to make it. It's known for being flame retardant, weather-resistant, and longer lasting than other similar materials.
• Polypropylene (Polypro): A common choice for shipping, polypro tape is made from a lightweight yet strong plastic. It boasts flexibility and moisture resistance.

Weather and Temperature Resistance

A package may encounter extreme or challenging conditions while en route to the customer. That's why you should select an offering that's weather and temperature resistant. These tapes are made with materials that can withstand extreme elements, reducing the chances of adhesive failure and product damage during transit.

Compatibility With Various Surfaces

Different types of tape are designed with specific surfaces in mind. Before purchasing custom printed tape, be sure your selection is compatible with your shipping materials. For maximum versatility and cost-effectiveness, go with a product capable of adhering to multiple surfaces.

Top Custom Printed Tape Types for Heavy Packages

If you're sealing and shipping something heavy, turn to one of these tape types for damage-free results.

Reinforced Gummed Paper Tape

For anyone looking for a strong reinforced tape, gummed paper tape is a popular pick because of its ability to form a strong bond with almost any cardboard material. Because of its strength and adhesion properties, industrial-grade gummed tape is a solid selection for sealing ultra-heavy boxes.

This type of tape is called gummed tape because it becomes sticky or gummy when moistened. It requires water to form a seal, so you need to use a water-activated tape dispenser for best results. Thanks to its matte finish, this tape gives sealed packages a smooth, professional appearance.

Premium PVC Tape

Premium polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tape is another option for shipping heavyweight items. Tape Jungle's heavy-duty grade PVC tape can accommodate packages up to 50 pounds, while the retailer's industrial-grade custom PVC products can be paired with packages that weigh between 50 to 90 pounds.

This tape, which can be used on uneven surfaces and in cold temperatures, is notoriously durable and quiet during application. In addition, it's self-adhesive, so no water or glue is required.

Standard Polypropylene (PolyPro) Tape

Standard polypropylene (polypro) is Tape Jungle's most popular, versatile, and cost-effective custom shipping tape option. Companies of all sizes and industries order it.

This self-adhesive, glossy finish tape is tough and suitable for taping fine details. Choose from four grades, depending on how heavy an item you're shipping:

• General Purpose: 1-30 pounds
• Hi-Tak: 1-30 pounds and suitable for use in cold temperatures
• Heavy-Duty: 30-50 pounds
• Industrial: 60-90 pounds

Filament Tape

Also known as strapping tape, filament tape is another excellent shipping tape option. Tape Jungle offers several products in this category:

• Tensilized Polypro
• Bi-Directional
• Uni-Directional
• Light- and Heavy-Duty Tensilized Polypro
• High Tensile Polypro

Unfortunately, you can't order customized filament tape from Tape Jungle. But if you're less concerned with branding and more focused on the tape's ability to handle heavy packages, it's worth considering, especially if you have oversized or ultra-heavy packages to ship.

Filament tape is reinforced with fiberglass for extreme strength and low stretch. Because of this, it's almost impossible to tear by hand; you'll need a tape dispenser to apply it.

How to Customize Your Tape for Maximum Impact

Use Tape Jungle's tape customizer to design and order custom shipping tape for your brand.

Step One: Choose Design Elements

Brainstorm a rough idea of what you want your tape to look like. Consider things like logo placement and color palette. Then, navigate to Tape Jungle's custom printed tape designer.

Step Two: Select Tape Type and Size

Next, you'll need to decide what kind of shipping tape to order. There are four options: Standard (Polypro), Premium (PVC), Paper (Water Activated), and Full Color (Water Activated). Consider each tape type's purpose and material to make the right selection.

Select your desired tape grade from the following options: General Purpose, Heavy-Duty, Industrial, or Hi-Tak Cold Temp. As you select a grade, think about how much your package weighs. The higher the weight, the higher the necessary grade.

You'll also need to choose what size tape to order, taking the dimensions of your package and tape dispenser into account.

Step Three: Design the Tape

Next, choose base, print, and design colors for your tape. If you have a specific image or logo you want to put on the roll, upload it to the Tape Jungle website or email it to the company's designers.

Step Four: Select the Quantity

Decide how many rolls you'll need to order. Tape Jungle recommends stocking up with a 6-month supply, as "the more [they] print, the lower the price per roll." There's also a usage estimator available if you're unsure how many rolls you need.

Step Five: Stand Out With Custom Branding

Once you've selected your product quantity and paid for the order, wait a handful of business days for your product proofs to arrive. Review the virtual and physical proofs you receive, make sure they look exactly as you wanted, then eagerly await the Tape Jungle shipment that's on its way to you. Typically, you'll receive your order around four weeks after submitting your initial design.

Design Tips

• Make sure your company name, logo, or tagline is clearly seen in the design.
• If you're taking advantage of Tape Jungle's multi-color design options, choose high-contrasting hues to ensure every element is legible.
• Avoid overcrowding the tape with too many words or complicated graphics. Simplicity is key.

Tape Application Tips for Heavy Packages

Selecting an appropriate shipping tape is just the first step in successfully shipping heavyweight packages. Applying said tape properly is the second, and it's just as important.

Keep these points in mind as you prepare your packages for shipping:

Proper Tape Overlap and Wrapping Technique

Shipping tape should always overlap at the seams and edges. Be sure to choose a sufficiently wide roll of tape for the box you're using, and keep the overlap symmetrical for the most secure seal possible.

You'll also need to use proper tape wrapping techniques, two of which are the H and Tic-Tac-Toe methods.

If you're using the H method, apply a strip of tape to the center seam of the box and on each of the edges that run perpendicular to it, forming an "H" shape. For Tic-Tac-Toe taping, you'll apply tape strips along the length, width, and perimeter of the box. When you finish, you'll end up with a grid that looks like the game pattern.

Use of Appropriate Dispensers for Efficiency

While some shipping tapes can be torn and applied by hand, others require a tape dispenser. If your custom tape selection falls into the "needs a tape dispenser" category, make sure to purchase one that was specifically designed for the tape type. A dispenser will make the process faster and make the finished tape placement look smoother and more consistent - great news for anyone striving for maximum professionalism.

Inspecting Sealed Boxes to Ensure Tape Adhesion

Before shipping a box off, give it one last inspection to ensure the tape is doing its job. Run your hand along each strip to securely press it down and smooth out any wrinkles or air bubbles. Then, gently tug at the box edges to make sure they're all fully sealed.

Explore Tape Jungle's Custom Heavy-Duty Tapes

When you're gearing up to ship heavy packages to customers, have a few rolls of custom shipping tape handy. Choosing a roll of shipping tape over classic packing tape gives your package a more secure seal. Plus, it gives you peace of mind knowing your package will arrive at its destination unscathed. When the shipping tape is customized with your brand's logo, name, or colors, you're increasing your brand's visibility with minimal effort.

There are several types of shipping tapes to choose from. Each is made from a different material and has different adhesion capabilities, so pick a product that best matches your unique needs. Tape Jungle makes the process simple. Use our custom tape designer to create rolls of tape that will not only keep your heavy shipments properly sealed until they arrive at your customers' doorsteps, but also make anyone who sees the package aware of you and your brand.

If you're not sure what kind of custom tape to choose, contact Tape Jungle customer service. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff will answer all of your heavy-duty tape questions and point you in the right direction.