Author Topic: Package sealing tape?  (Read 2254 times)

lizzzi

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Package sealing tape?
« on: July 13, 2016, 12:18:00 PM »
I'm tearing my hair out...again...as yet once again I have plenty of package sealing tape for sending off boxes or mailing envelopes...but the tape won't come off the roll, at least not without ripping into little, tiny ribbons and just basically being totally useless. This blankety-blank stuff costs money, and I just end up throwing it away, usually after only one or maybe two uses. Does anybody use a brand that doesn't do this? I'm not sure what brands I have, since the labels were discarded with first use. One is probably Scotch from the grocery, and one is from the UPS store.

Miss Piggy

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Re: Package sealing tape?
« Reply #1 on: July 13, 2016, 02:10:33 PM »
I always fully fold the end over onto itself after each use. Thar helps a lot.

Metric Mouse

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Re: Package sealing tape?
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2016, 02:22:26 PM »
Gaff tape is truly superior in all performance aspects.

HPstache

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Re: Package sealing tape?
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2016, 02:34:01 PM »
I do a lot of shipping for one of my side hustles, so I buy the big pack from Costco... I think it's scotch brand?  First recommendation, don't buy from UPS store or USPS... not because they are bad products, but because they are totally gouging you for not being prepared.  I think it's $3.99 for what is probably about a 1/3 roll.  Buy from Amazon if you don't need enough to call for a costco purchase.  Second, are you sure you are trying to re-start the tape roll correctly?  I feel like this is something I've learned intuitively, but maybe you don't know that you need to "start" it over it's full width rather than just a corner...

lizzzi

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Re: Package sealing tape?
« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2016, 02:55:04 PM »
I do a lot of shipping for one of my side hustles, so I buy the big pack from Costco... I think it's scotch brand?  First recommendation, don't buy from UPS store or USPS... not because they are bad products, but because they are totally gouging you for not being prepared.  I think it's $3.99 for what is probably about a 1/3 roll.  Buy from Amazon if you don't need enough to call for a costco purchase.  Second, are you sure you are trying to re-start the tape roll correctly?  I feel like this is something I've learned intuitively, but maybe you don't know that you need to "start" it over it's full width rather than just a corner...

I see what you mean, but I can't get the whole width, because it starts shredding up into little ribbons. I think the hint to fold the tape over onto itself to make a sort of tab that you can grab the next time is probably a good tip. I read some online reviews and bought something by Duck brand called HD Clear....54.6 yards for $4.79 in the non-cheap grocery. Too expensive, but it will be worth it to me if it functions well and holds up long term so I get the use out of it.

Chris22

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Re: Package sealing tape?
« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2016, 03:16:22 PM »
Buy a tape gun to go with it.  Makes life MUCH easier.  Bought one at U-Haul last time I moved, and it comes in handy every month or so.


Mississippi Mudstache

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Re: Package sealing tape?
« Reply #6 on: July 13, 2016, 03:29:15 PM »
Plastic packaging tape is EVIL. I give my highest recommendation to paper packing tape.
  • It's way cheaper
  • It always comes off the roll perfectly - so searching for the end
  • It never sticks to itself
  • You can reposition it while it's drying - no need to get the placement right the first time
  • Did I mention it's way cheaper?

I know it seems like it would be a pain, because it's water activated, but seriously, it is sooooo much easier to use. Just grab a cheap paintbrush and a bowl and you can tape boxes twice as fast.

Lulee

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Re: Package sealing tape?
« Reply #7 on: July 13, 2016, 06:22:26 PM »
Lizzzi, when stuck in your situation (sometimes due to my buying crappy but cheap tape and sometimes even name brand rolls act like crap), I used a SHARP x-acto knife to cut through around 2 or 3 layers, from edge to edge.  You can then use the tip of the x-acto to lift up the new, thicker edge and start a new strip.  This sacrifices a few inches of tape but it keeps your sanity.

I second Mississippi Mudstache’s assertion about paper over plastic in this instance though I haven't yet checked out the link provided.  I used both kinds in two different businesses where we shipped products and the paper, reinforced as it was with string, was by far the stronger and easier to use product.  The tape machine we had for the paper tape was a heavy old, maybe made in the 50’s, table-top affair but it never failed as long as we kept the water reservoir filled.  If I was packaging things again for shipping, I’d move heaven and earth to get my hands on a similar machine.

Dicey

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Re: Package sealing tape?
« Reply #8 on: July 14, 2016, 12:10:49 PM »
I second the Costco tape. I buy it when it's on sale in the circular. It works really well. I make up lots of (recycled) boxes because I help run the library's quarterly book sale,  where we resell donated books and give the proceeds to the library. Two things help: Costco sells so much of it that their inventory is always fresh and never let the tape get hot, so not in your car or hot garage during the summer.
As to the environment, in this case: greater good, perhaps? Also, even paper tape has adhesive and reinforcement thread to consider. There is no perfect solution.

lizzzi

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Re: Package sealing tape?
« Reply #9 on: July 14, 2016, 06:59:08 PM »
Thanks for all the wise counsel. The Duck brand tape called HD Clear worked fine, and I was careful to leave a tab folded over when I was done with it. It is noticeably thicker than the old rolls of package sealing tape that I just gave up and threw in the trash. I just need the tape for occasional home use--don't sell things on eBay or anything like that.

a-scho

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Re: Package sealing tape?
« Reply #10 on: July 14, 2016, 11:58:00 PM »
https://www.amazon.com/Rolls-Clear-Packaging-Shipping-Tape/dp/B002KO2MU0/ref=sr_1_16?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1468560025&sr=1-16&keywords=packaging+tape

This is the stuff I use. I DO NOT use a tape gun. I fold down a corner of the tape when I am finished. I have never had a problem with the tape splitting. All the things I mail do not weigh more than three pounds, so I cannot vouch for its effectiveness if the package weighs more than that.

JLee

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Re: Package sealing tape?
« Reply #11 on: July 18, 2016, 06:59:40 PM »
I don't buy super cheap packing tape anymore.  It's really terrible and is not worth the cost savings.

misshathaway

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Re: Package sealing tape?
« Reply #12 on: July 19, 2016, 01:34:48 AM »
Me either. I had a couple of boxes of break open during shipping with cheap sealing tape.

OmahaSteph

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Re: Package sealing tape?
« Reply #13 on: July 19, 2016, 11:57:18 AM »
I've had good luck with Target's store brand.

 

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