Options to Seal Boxes for Shipping

Options to Seal Boxes for Shipping

The products sent in your e-commerce boxes or industrial cartons are only secure and protected when the box has been sealed. So, what are the options to seal boxes for shipping?

4 Options for Sealing Cardboard Boxes

There are four main options for sealing cardboard boxes:

Tape – The most common means of securing shipping boxes is using strong, adhesive tape. In packing processes, this is often a manual process, where flat-packed boxes are sealed at the base using a tape gun, filled and then taped shut.

Glue – Hot glue is widely used to join the sides of boxes in packaging manufacturing processes. Once cooled, it forms a strong seal. The glue can’t be seen and doesn’t interfere with any printing on the cardboard packaging. Glueing boxes shut is less common, as the hot glue is messy and potentially dangerous for manual application. Over-application could also drip onto the box contents causing damage, so tape is typically used.

Staples – Staples are typically used in the manufacture of industrial cartons. They offer a strong seal that is ideal for heavier items and double-walled boxes. They hold the base and sides of the box together, however, using a staple gun to seal a filled box risks damage to the contents. Therefore, tape still provides the final seal.

Self-seal Boxes – This is where the packaging design incorporates interlocking flaps that fold together to securely close the box. These are popular as e-commerce postal boxes and an example is FEFCO style 0426. If required, stickers or labels can be used to provide a tamper seal over the opening edge.

Adhesive Tape for E-commerce Packing

Both plastic and recyclable paper-based tape are available to seal shipping boxes. Both of these options can be printed with your branding, handling instructions or a seasonal message. As such, printed tape offers a low-cost and adaptable means of personalising your e-commerce packaging. This is crucial for building brand recognition.

With a focus on sustainability, we supply recyclable, paper-based tape that offers strong adhesion and moisture resistance. For more demanding applications a reinforced paper tape is available. Either can be printed with your design and both fit into standard tape dispensers.

If you currently use plastic tape, speak to us about switching to a sustainable option. Also, please ask your customers to remove the plastic tape before recycling the boxes.

Seal Strips

Another option that speeds up packing line efficiency is by incorporating double-sided tape strips into the packaging design. One side is stuck to the boxes during manufacture. The upper layer is then peeled off when the box is ready to assemble.

The benefits of pre-taped boxes include:

• No visible tape when the box is sealed, offering a neater finish
• Tape cut to the exact size required, reducing waste
• Greatly reduces the noise associated with tape gun use
• No need to reload the tape gun or stop when tape supplies run low

Tape strips can also enable box reuse, especially for returns. One strip is used to seal the box for shipping, with a second ready to peel and use for sending back unwanted items.

We are pleased to announce that one of our new investments for 2023 is an Enimac tape machine. This will be integrated into our manufacturing process, speeding up the production of packaging with integrated seal strips.

For further information on self-seal boxes, printed tape or cartons with seal strips, get in touch with our team on 01296 436888 or enquiries@abcbox.co.uk. We are happy to advise on the best sealing options for your requirements.