Warning Printed Tape

Choosing the right warning tape

Select by primary function first, then by backing material and recyclability:

• Fragile goods handling instruction: pre-printed fragile packing tape in polypropylene, vinyl or paper depending on surface, weight and recyclability requirement.
• Tamper evidence: tamper evident security tape that leaves a permanent VOID message if removed. Not the same as fragile tape.
• Quality control and stock management: quality control printed tape in four messages including QUARANTINE, Q.C. HOLD, Q.C. REJECTED and Q.C. PASSED.
• Recyclable fragile sealing: pre-printed FRAGILE paper tape or gummed FRAGILE paper tape, both recyclable with the box.
• Heavy cartons up to 30kg with fragile contents: pre-printed fragile vinyl tape, rated for cartons up to 30kg versus 20kg for polypropylene and paper fragile tape.

Pre-printed Fragile Polypropylene Tape

25 micron polypropylene film. Acrylic adhesive. Up to 20kg. 48mm x 66m. UV resistant. Hand and dispenser tearable. Three messages: FRAGILE, CONTENTS CHECKED AND SECURITY SEALED, FRAGILE DO NOT CRUSH.

Pre-printed Fragile Vinyl Tape

32 micron PVC film. Natural rubber adhesive. Up to 30kg. 48mm x 66m. Hand and dispenser tearable. Four messages including GLASS HANDLE WITH CARE.

Pre-printed FRAGILE Paper Tape

57gsm kraft paper. Natural rubber adhesive. Up to 20kg. 48mm x 50m. Recyclable with the box. Hand and dispenser tearable. Min application temperature 10°C.

Printed FRAGILE Gummed Paper Tape

70gsm kraft paper. Plant-based adhesive. Up to 30kg. 72mm x 200m. 100% recyclable. Water-activated tamper-evident seal. WAT dispenser required.

Tamper Evident Security Tape

25 micron polyester film. Acrylic adhesive. 50mm x 50m. Red and blue. UV resistant. Leaves permanent VOID message on removal. Dispenser only.

Quality Control Printed Tape

35 micron PVC film. Natural rubber adhesive. Up to 30kg. 48mm x 66m. Four messages: Q.C. PASSED, Q.C. HOLD, Q.C. REJECTED, QUARANTINE.

Warning and printed tape grades explained

Pre-printed fragile polypropylene tape - standard pre-printed fragile tape for most operations

The most widely used pre-printed packing tape in the range. A 25 micron polypropylene film with acrylic adhesive, printed in bold red text on white for high-visibility handling instructions. UV resistant, rated for cartons up to 20kg and available in three messages. Hand-tearable so no dispenser is needed at packing stations. The correct choice for the majority of e-commerce and warehouse despatch operations.

• 48mm x 66m; white with red print
• Acrylic adhesive, UV resistant
• Up to 20kg; min application temperature -20°C
• Hand and dispenser tearable
• Messages: FRAGILE, CONTENTS CHECKED AND SECURITY SEALED, FRAGILE DO NOT CRUSH
• Shelf life: 12 months
• Not recyclable in paper streams

Pre-printed fragile vinyl tape - heavier cartons and GLASS HANDLE WITH CARE message

A 32 micron PVC film with natural rubber adhesive, rated for cartons up to 30kg. The higher weight rating makes this the correct choice where fragile contents are in heavier cartons that the polypropylene fragile tape cannot cover. Also available with a GLASS HANDLE WITH CARE message printed in high-visibility red, making it the only handle with care tape in the range with this specific instruction. Hand-tearable on all SKUs.

• 48mm x 66m; white with red print
• Natural rubber adhesive
• Up to 30kg; min application temperature -20°C
• Hand and dispenser tearable
• Messages: FRAGILE, CONTENTS CHECKED AND SECURITY SEALED, FRAGILE DO NOT CRUSH, GLASS HANDLE WITH CARE
• Shelf life: 12 months
• Not recyclable in paper streams

Pre-printed FRAGILE paper tape - recyclable fragile tape

A 57gsm kraft paper tape with natural rubber adhesive, recyclable with the box in standard UK cardboard recycling streams. The paper backing and natural rubber adhesive do not need to be removed before the carton is recycled, making this the correct choice for operations with a recyclability requirement on fragile goods. Rated for cartons up to 20kg. Note: minimum application temperature is 10°C, which is higher than the polypropylene and vinyl grades.

• 48mm x 50m; brown with red print
• Natural rubber adhesive
• Up to 20kg; min application temperature 10°C
• Hand and dispenser tearable
• Recyclable with the box in standard UK cardboard streams
• Shelf life: 9 months

Printed FRAGILE gummed paper tape - tamper-evident recyclable fragile sealing

A 70gsm kraft paper tape with plant-based water-activated adhesive. Unlike self-adhesive fragile tapes, gummed paper tape creates a structural bond by penetrating the board fibres on activation, producing a tamper-evident seal that cannot be removed without visible board damage. 100% recyclable with the box. Rated for cartons up to 30kg. A WAT dispenser is required for activation. The correct choice where both a fragile handling instruction and a tamper-evident seal are needed on recyclable packaging.

• 72mm x 200m; buff with red print
• Plant-based water-activated adhesive
• Up to 30kg; min application temperature -20°C
• WAT dispenser required
• 100% recyclable with the box; tamper-evident seal
• Shelf life: 12 months

Tamper evident security tape - anti tamper tape with permanent VOID message on removal

A 25 micron polyester film security tape with acrylic adhesive. When removed or tampered with, the top layer separates irreversibly and leaves a permanent VOID message on the carton surface, providing clear visible evidence that the seal has been broken. The tape itself cannot be restuck. UV resistant and rated for a wide temperature range. Used for high-value shipments, security-sealed returns and any application where evidence of interference must be visible on delivery. Available in red and blue. Dispenser required.

• 50mm x 50m; red or blue
• Acrylic adhesive, UV resistant
• Temperature range: -30°C to 80°C
• Dispenser only
• Leaves permanent VOID message on removal
• Shelf life: 12 months

Quality control printed tape - quarantine, hold and QC status marking

A 35 micron PVC film tape with natural rubber adhesive for identifying stock status in manufacturing, warehousing and quality control environments. Available in four colour-coded messages using a traffic light system: Q.C. PASSED (green), Q.C. HOLD (yellow), Q.C. REJECTED (red) and QUARANTINE (red). The colour-coded system allows staff to identify stock status at a glance on the warehouse floor. Hand-tearable, rated for cartons up to 30kg.

• 48mm x 66m; white with colour-coded print
• Natural rubber adhesive
• Up to 30kg
• Hand and dispenser tearable
• Messages: Q.C. PASSED (green), Q.C. HOLD (yellow), Q.C. REJECTED (red), QUARANTINE (red)
• Shelf life: 12 months

Printed warning tape for every operation type

E-commerce and retail fragile despatch

Most e-commerce and retail despatch operations sealing cartons up to 20kg will be well served by pre-printed fragile polypropylene packing tape. It is hand-tearable, UV resistant, and seals and labels the carton in one pass. For operations with a recyclable packaging policy, pre-printed FRAGILE paper tape is recyclable with the box. Remember that pre-printed tape is a handling instruction only; adequate inner protective packaging must be used regardless of which grade is chosen.

Heavy fragile goods and glass

For cartons above 20kg containing fragile items, or for glass and highly fragile contents requiring a specific GLASS HANDLE WITH CARE message, pre-printed fragile vinyl tape is rated for cartons up to 30kg and is the only grade in the range with the GLASS HANDLE WITH CARE message. For cartons above 30kg containing fragile items, use a separate heavy duty sealing tape alongside a printed fragile label.

High-value shipments and tamper evidence

Tamper evident security tape (also called anti tamper tape or tamper proof tape) is the correct choice where evidence of interference must be visible on delivery. It is not the same as fragile tape and does not serve the same purpose. Use it for high-value shipments, customer returns being inspected on receipt, and any application where confirmation that the seal has not been broken since despatch is required. Available in red (standard) and blue (food-industry approved).

Recyclable fragile sealing with tamper evidence

For operations requiring both a fragile handling instruction and a tamper-evident seal on recyclable packaging, printed FRAGILE gummed paper tape is the only grade in the range that delivers all three: fragile instruction, tamper-evident seal and 100% recyclability with the box. A WAT dispenser is required. The 200m roll length suits high-volume gummed tape lines.

Manufacturing, warehousing and quality control

Quality control printed tape is used in manufacturing and warehouse environments where stock status must be visually communicated across the facility. The four-message colour-coded system covers Q.C. PASSED, Q.C. HOLD, Q.C. REJECTED and quarantine tape marking, mapping directly to standard quality management workflows. Any team member can identify stock status at a glance without reading documentation. Hand-tearable for fast application at inspection stations.

Fragile tape: handling instructions vs physical protection

Pre-printed warning tape communicates a request to handlers; it does not protect the contents. The most common cause of damage to fragile goods in transit is inadequate inner packaging, not the absence of a fragile label. Before selecting a grade, confirm that:

• Fragile items are cushioned with adequate void fill, bubble wrap or foam
• There is no internal movement when the sealed carton is shaken
• The carton itself is rated for the load weight
• The correct sealing tape weight rating is used alongside the pre-printed tape

Pre-printed fragile packing tape applied to a correctly packed carton significantly reduces damage rates by prompting careful handling. Applied to a poorly packed carton, it will not.

Frequently asked questions

What is fragile tape?

Pre-printed fragile packing tape that seals a carton and applies a handling instruction simultaneously, replacing both the sealing tape and a separate label. The RAJA range covers polypropylene, vinyl and paper-backed versions with different weight ratings and recyclability by grade.

Does fragile tape actually protect fragile items?

No. Pre-printed handling tape communicates a handling instruction. It does not provide physical protection. Fragile items must always be packed with void fill, bubble wrap or foam before sealing. Pre-printed handling tape on a poorly packed carton will not reduce damage rates.

What is the difference between fragile tape and tamper evident tape?

Fragile tape alerts handlers to take care with a parcel. It does not show evidence of tampering. Tamper evident tape leaves a permanent VOID message on the surface if removed, showing the seal has been broken. They serve different purposes and are not interchangeable.

What is tamper evident tape?

Tamper evident tape leaves a permanent VOID message on the carton surface if the tape is removed. The top layer separates irreversibly, making it impossible to reseal without visible evidence of interference. RAJA tamper evident security tape uses polyester film with acrylic adhesive and is available in red and blue.

What is quarantine tape used for?

Quarantine tape is part of the quality control printed tape range used to identify hold, rejected or quarantined stock in manufacturing and warehouse environments. The range also includes Q.C. HOLD, Q.C. REJECTED and Q.C. PASSED messages in a colour-coded traffic light system.

Which fragile tape is recyclable?

Pre-printed FRAGILE paper tape is recyclable with the box in standard UK cardboard streams. The printed FRAGILE gummed grade is also 100% recyclable. Polypropylene and vinyl fragile tapes are not recyclable in paper streams.

Can I buy fragile tape in bulk?

Yes. All RAJA warning and printed tapes are available in packs of 36 rolls for high-volume and fragile tape wholesale requirements. Bulk discounts apply when ordering 3 or more packs. For bespoke printed tape with a custom message or branding, contact the RAJA specials team.

What is the difference between polypropylene fragile tape and paper fragile tape?

Polypropylene fragile tape is UV resistant, rated to -20°C minimum application temperature and not recyclable in paper streams. Paper fragile tape is recyclable with the box but has a higher minimum application temperature of 10°C. Both are rated for cartons up to 20kg. Choose pre-printed FRAGILE paper tape for recyclable packaging; choose the polypropylene grade for UV-exposed or cold environments.

You might also need

• Tape dispensers - all standard warning and printed tapes use a 76mm core and are compatible with standard pistol grip and bench dispensers. The gummed FRAGILE grade requires a WAT dispenser.
• Gummed tape and dispensers - WAT dispensers required for the printed FRAGILE gummed paper tape.
• Void fill and protective packaging - bubble wrap, foam and loose fill for protecting fragile items before sealing. Fragile tape without adequate inner packaging does not reduce damage rates.
• Polypropylene packaging tape - standard sealing tape for use alongside fragile tape on heavier cartons above the fragile tape weight rating.
• Self-adhesive paper tape - recyclable kraft paper sealing tape to pair with fragile paper tape for fully recyclable carton sealing.
• Packaging tape and adhesives - full category including polypropylene, paper, gummed, vinyl and industrial tapes.