3M Tape

3M tape the engineered packing, bonding and sealing range specified across UK manufacturing, ecommerce despatch and industrial assembly for brand-named adhesive performance and ISO-aligned procurement.

RAJAPACK is a UK 3M tape distributor stocking the full Scotch 3M packaging tape range, from carton sealing polypropylene through to vinyl, filament, double sided foam, VHB acrylic, ATG adhesive transfer and masking grades. Whether you are sealing cartons on a packing bench, mounting POP displays, bonding signage, or running automatic case sealers, 3M tape is the range to specify when the operational requirement is 3M as a quality standard, whether that comes from export documentation, multi-site QMS, or a customer-facing bill of materials.

Each grade in the range is engineered for a defined outcome. Polypropylene grades take carton sealing from 20kg up to 45kg loads. Vinyl stays stable in cold storage and through long shelf life applications where polypropylene goes brittle with age. Cross-weave filament reinforces parcels over 30kg and supports pallet stabilisation. The 3M double sided tape range covers four distinct chemistries (ATG adhesive transfer, vinyl, polyurethane foam, and VHB acrylic foam), each suited to a specific bonding job. Masking grades cover spray painting, decorating, bundling and label-on writing.

The full range is sold by the pack and priced per roll, with most references stocked in pack sizes of 24, 36 or 48 rolls depending on the width. ATG transfer tape is supplied in 12-roll packs for use with the 3M ATG dispenser system. Machine length tape is supplied in 6-roll packs of 990m for automatic and semi-automatic case sealers. Stock is held in the UK with next day delivery on standard pack quantities and bulk discounts on three or more packs.

3M packing tape

The single sided polypropylene grades are the volume backbone of the range, used for box sealing, parcel sealing and general despatch. The Scotch 3M 371 economy polypropylene tape, 28 micron is the entry-level 3M packing tape, suitable for cartons up to 20kg and available in clear or buff in 25mm, 48mm and 50mm widths. Step up to the Scotch 3M 3739 heavy duty polypropylene tape, 35 micron for cartons up to 30kg, including shipments going through automated handling or longer transit cycles. For cartons up to 45kg or where the 3739 specification is not enough, specify the Scotch 3M 375E industrial polypropylene tape, 50 micron.

The Scotch 3M 309 low noise polypropylene tape, 28 micron is the standard weight option for environments where dispenser noise matters, such as pick and pack operations on a multi-shift floor or packing benches that share space with offices and customer-facing areas. The Scotch 3M 313 quiet polypropylene tape extends the same low noise specification into a 40 micron heavy duty grade for cartons up to 30kg.

For long shelf life and cold storage applications, the Scotch 3M 506890 vinyl packaging tape, 35 micron is the correct specification. The natural rubber adhesive gives immediate high tack, the vinyl backing resists brittleness with age, and the tape stays stable at deep freeze temperatures where polypropylene degrades. For parcels over 30kg, pallet stabilisation, or any bundling application where hand tear is not the priority, the Scotch 3M 8959 cross-weave filament tape is the glass fibre reinforced grade.

For automatic and semi-automatic case sealers, the Scotch 3M machine tape range is supplied in 990m rolls in the 28 micron and 35 micron specifications, designed for production volumes where the 66m hand application rolls would not last a shift.

3M double sided tape and bonding

The 3M double sided tape range covers four chemistries, and they are not interchangeable. Match the tape to the bond requirement first, then to the substrate.

For adhesive transfer, the Scotch 3M ATG 904 adhesive transfer tape is the standard, applied with a 3M ATG dispenser for envelope sealing, mailer assembly, print finishing and any operation needing fast clean adhesive lay down without a backing film. The Scotch 3M ATG 924 multipurpose tape adds a polyester carrier for slightly stronger and more dimensionally stable bonds, and the Scotch 3M ATG 969 high tack variant is the high adhesion option for low surface energy plastics, dusty substrates and rougher surfaces.

For mounting and bonding, the Scotch 3M 9087 double sided vinyl tape is the white PVC double sided 3M tape with high tack acrylic adhesive, used for POP displays, indoor and outdoor signs, badges and nameplates. The Scotch 3M 4016 double sided polyurethane foam tape covers cushioned mounting, gasket sealing and gap filling between rigid surfaces. The 3M VHB 4910 acrylic foam tape is the high performance bonding tape for permanent, structural double sided adhesion, including outdoor and exterior mounting where mechanical fasteners would otherwise be specified.

The order of bonding strength runs ATG (thin transfer adhesive, no carrier) up to vinyl double sided (smooth surfaces, thicker bond) up to polyurethane foam (fills surface irregularity) up to VHB acrylic foam (structural). Substrates need to be clean and primed for permanent VHB bonding, and outdoor applications need the acrylic foam grade rather than polyurethane.

3M masking tape and specialist applications

Scotch 3M masking tape is held in the masking and paper tape category. The Scotch 3M 101E and 301E general masking tape covers spray painting, decorating, bundling and label-on writing applications, available in 18, 24, 36 and 48mm widths in a classic cream finish. For the full Scotch 3M masking range and specialist masking grades, see the masking and paper tape category.

How does 3M tape compare to other packaging tape brands?

When compared standard polypropylene tape and the wider economy packaging tape ranges, 3M tape offers a tighter manufacturing tolerance, more consistent adhesive performance batch-to-batch, and a brand specification that integrates directly into ISO 9001 procurement and export documentation. Three operational reasons typically drive 3M specification.

QMS and export documentation. ISO 9001 procurement and export quality systems often require a named brand adhesive on the bill of materials. 3M is the most commonly named brand on these specifications, which makes it the lowest-friction choice when the procurement system is fixed.

Consistency across multi-site operations. Multi-warehouse and multi-site packing operations specify a single tape brand to remove variability between sites, particularly where central QMS owns the spec and local sites order against it. 3M is the standard reference for this kind of multi-site lock-down.

Performance margin on critical packaging. Where the failure cost is high (fragile shipments, returns-sensitive ecommerce, commercial returns liability, or exports through multiple handling stages), the performance margin on 3M grades over economy alternatives is enough to justify the price difference. The 3739 and 375E grades in particular hold up where 28 micron economy tape does not.

If 3M is not a fixed specification requirement, the wider RAJAPACK polypropylene packing tape, vinyl tape and gummped paper tape ranges are where you should start. Many of the same operational specifications are available at lower price points without the brand premium, and our category team can match a 3M reference to an equivalent RAJA brand grade on request.

Pair 3M packaging tape with our tape dispensers, stretch and pallet wrap, and cardboard boxes to complete the despatch line setup. 

Frequently asked questions

Where can I buy 3M tape in the UK?

You can buy 3M tape directly from RAJAPACK, a UK 3M tape distributor with the full Scotch 3M packaging tape, double sided, filament, vinyl, ATG and masking range held in UK stock. We supply manufacturing, ecommerce, retail despatch and industrial assembly customers, with bulk discounts on three or more packs and next day delivery on standard pack quantities. ISO 9001:2015 accreditation covers procurement and supply chain, and custom printed branded tape is available on request for the polypropylene, vinyl and filament grades.

What is the difference between 3M tape and Scotch 3M tape?

Scotch is the 3M trade name for its packaging and consumer adhesive ranges, so "Scotch 3M tape" and "3M Scotch tape" refer to the same brand family. The packaging-grade range covers products like Scotch 3M 371, 3739, 375E, 309 and 313 polypropylene tape, the 506890 vinyl tape, 8959 cross-weave filament tape, the 904, 924 and 969 ATG transfer tapes, the 9087 vinyl and 4016 foam double sided tapes, and the 4910 VHB acrylic foam tape. 

Is 3M sticky tape the same as 3M packing tape?

"Sticky tape" is a general consumer term for any pressure sensitive adhesive tape. The 3M packing tape and 3M packaging tape range stocked at RAJAPACK covers industrial polypropylene, vinyl and filament grades for carton sealing, despatch and parcel sealing in business operations, not consumer office tape. 

What is 3M double sided tape used for?

The 3M double sided tape range covers four distinct bonding chemistries for four different jobs. ATG adhesive transfer tape (904, 924, 969) lays a clean adhesive line on envelopes, mailers and assembly substrates, applied with the 3M ATG dispenser. The 9087 vinyl double sided tape mounts POP displays, indoor and outdoor signs, badges and nameplates with high tack acrylic adhesion. The 4016 polyurethane foam double sided tape gives cushioned mounting and gap filling between rigid surfaces. The 4910 VHB acrylic foam tape delivers permanent, structural and outdoor weatherproof bonding where mechanical fasteners would otherwise be needed.

What is the difference between 3M tape suppliers and 3M tape distributors?

In practice the terms are interchangeable for B2B packaging supply. RAJAPACK is a UK distributor of the Scotch 3M tape range, supplying business customers across packaging, manufacturing, logistics and assembly with stock held in the UK, ISO 9001:2015 procurement, bulk pricing on volume contracts, and a category team that supports specification advice and sample requests on the full range.

Is 3M adhesive tape recyclable?

The polypropylene grades (371, 3739, 375E, 313, 309) require specialist film recycling collection and cannot go in the kerbside paper stream. Vinyl, filament and double sided 3M tape are not recyclable with the corrugated carton and require separation before disposal. For kerbside-recyclable carton sealing options, see the self-adhesive paper tape and gummed paper tape ranges.

RAJAPACK, the largest range of packing tapes in the UK

RAJAPACK has been supplying the UK packaging market for over 70 years with hundreds of packaging tape variations. The full 3M tape range is held in UK stock for next day delivery on standard pack quantities. The 3M packaging tape, 3M double sided tape, ATG, filament and vinyl ranges are all on the bulk discount programme, with tiered pricing on three or more packs. ISO 9001:2015 accreditation covers procurement and supply chain, and custom printed branded tape is available on request for the polypropylene, vinyl and filament grades.

For specification advice, sample requests, or bulk pricing on volume contracts, call the packaging tape team on 0800 542 44 28, Monday to Thursday 8.00am to 6.00pm, Friday 8.00am to 5.30pm, or browse the full range.