Gummed Tape & Dispensers

Gummed paper tape grades

RAJA Gummed Paper Tape 70gsm

Standard water activated paper tape for general carton sealing up to 20kg. This gummed brown paper tape is made from 70gsm brown kraft paper: also known as gummed kraft paper tape: with a plant-based starch adhesive. Available in 48mm and 70mm widths on 200m rolls. Temperature rated from -16°C to +40°C on the 48mm grade and -20°C to +60°C on the 70mm grade. 76mm core (48mm) or 38mm core (70mm). 100% recyclable with the corrugated box. Shelf life 12 months stored cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight.

Also available as Printed FRAGILE Gummed Paper Tape: same 70gsm kraft construction with red FRAGILE overprint, for fragile goods despatch.

XTEGRA Reinforced Gummed Paper Tape 125gsm

Heavy-duty reinforced gummed tape for cartons over 30kg, export shipments, and high-value consignments requiring both tensile strength and inherent tamper evidence. 125gsm brown kraft paper reinforced with glass-fibre strands for burst and tear resistance. Plant-based starch adhesive. 70mm wide on 100m rolls with 38mm core. Temperature rated from -20°C to +60°C. 100% recyclable with the corrugated box. Shelf life 12 months stored cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight.

The glass-fibre reinforcement distinguishes this from standard gummed tape: it resists the tensile and shear forces applied during palletised transit on heavy export cartons in a way the standard 70gsm grade cannot. It is the strongest paper tape in the RAJAPACK range and the right specification where a fully recyclable seal is required on heavier or higher-value cartons. For custom branded versions, custom printed gummed paper tape is available from the RAJAPACK Specials team.

Gummed tape dispensers

Gummed paper tape requires a water activated tape machine or dispenser to activate the adhesive, cut the tape to length, and deliver consistent moisture across the full tape width. Applied without a dispenser, the adhesive layer does not activate evenly and the seal will fail. RAJAPACK stocks manual and two electronic gummed tape dispensers to match throughput at every volume level.

Manual gummed paper tape dispenser

Water reservoir, manual feed and cut. The most practical starting point for operations switching from polypropylene tape to gummed, or for low-to-medium volume packing benches where a full electronic setup is not justified. No power required.

Optimax OM700 Electronic Water Activated Tape Dispenser

The affordable entry point into electronic gummed tape dispensing. The OM700 accommodates tape rolls up to 80mm wide and 255mm in diameter, with a 2L water bottle capacity that reduces refill frequency on busy lines. Output speed of up to 60 metres per minute. One-touch dispensing for lengths from 150mm to 1,450mm, with auto, program, and manual operation modes. A built-in 9-pin connector allows tape length input from a PC or external device. The safety interlock disables the cutting blade when the front panel is open. Compact at 325 x 539 x 309mm and 12kg. Compatible with both standard and reinforced gummed paper tape, gummed side in or out.

The OM700 is the right choice for operations moving from manual dispensing to electronic for the first time, or for packing environments with moderate throughput requirements where programmable length control and reduced operator handling time are the primary gains.

Xtegra Tegrabond Electronic Water Activated Tape Dispenser

The professional-grade machine selected by RAJAPACK for high-volume packing stations where speed, consistency, and durability are critical. The Xtegra Tegrabond moistens, cuts, and dispenses tape in one continuous action. Where the OM700 offers broad programmability, the Tegrabond is built for precision and repeatability at scale.

The integrated 1L heated water tank activates adhesive consistently regardless of ambient temperature, which matters on cold warehouse dispatch lines where unheated reservoirs produce variable bond strength. Tape length is set via 14 colour-coded pre-set keys plus a random length function, programmable in 1.5mm increments: operators can switch between carton sizes without measuring. For fulfilment lines handling multiple carton formats continuously, the optional VARIOAMD infra-red length calculator measures each carton automatically and dispenses the correct tape length without any operator input.

Steel frame construction with rugged ABS casing. Maximum tape width 70mm. CE compliant. 12-month return-to-base warranty with a 3-day inspection grace period on receipt; on-site parts and labour warranty upgrade available. Expert installation and training is strongly recommended and can be booked through the RAJAPACK team on 0800 542 44 28.

The Tegrabond is the specification for high-volume e-commerce fulfilment, multi-shift dispatch operations, export carton lines using reinforced gummed tape, and any environment where seal consistency across every box is a non-negotiable operational requirement.

For full specifications on all gummed tape dispensers, see the tape dispensers range.

How to use gummed paper tape

Gummed paper tape is applied differently from all pressure-sensitive tape formats. The sequence matters and deviating from it is the direct cause of most seal failures reported with this format.

Feed the tape through the dispenser with the adhesive side facing the water reservoir. The dispenser wets the adhesive side as the tape is drawn through. Apply the moistened tape to the carton seam with firm, even pressure across the full tape width. The activated starch adhesive penetrates the board fibres on contact; the seal continues to strengthen for several minutes after initial application.

Operations that switch from self-adhesive tape to gummed tape without briefing packing staff on correct application consistently report seal failures in the first week that resolve entirely once the process is understood. The fix is always application, not tape grade.

Maintain the water reservoir level in the dispenser. Insufficient water activation: from a near-empty reservoir: is the second most common field failure: the adhesive appears activated but has insufficient moisture to penetrate the board fibres fully, and the bond will be superficial.

When to choose gummed paper tape over other tape types

Gummed paper tape is the right specification in four situations where pressure-sensitive tape is not adequate.

Where tamper evidence is required by mechanism rather than by marking: the gummed tape seal cannot be removed without leaving visible board damage. No additional security label or printed tape is needed. This is the format of choice for pharmaceutical despatch, high-value goods, and any supply chain where proof of seal integrity on delivery is contractually required.

Where the packaging must be fully recyclable at kerbside: both gummed tape grades use a kraft paper backing and starch-based adhesive with no plastic components, making them recyclable with the corrugated box in standard UK kerbside paper and cardboard streams with no removal required. Of all plastic-free tape options, gummed tape is the only one that also provides tamper evidence.

Where carton board quality is variable or high in recycled content: gummed tape bonds by fibre penetration rather than surface adhesion, so it is less affected by dusty, coated, or high-recycled-content board surfaces that cause acrylic or hot melt pressure-sensitive tape to underperform.

Where heavy carton loads require a recyclable seal: the XTEGRA reinforced grade is the strongest paper tape in the RAJAPACK range, handling cartons over 30kg with glass-fibre tensile reinforcement while remaining fully recyclable with the corrugated box. No other paper tape in the range offers this combination of load capacity and recyclability.

For a comparison of gummed tape against polypropylene, paper, and vinyl tape types, see the packing tape range.

Gummed paper tape FAQs

What is water activated tape and how does water activated tape work?

Water activated tape is the industry term for gummed paper tape: a kraft paper backing with a starch-based adhesive that requires moisture to activate. It works by passing through a dispenser that wets the adhesive side, after which the moistened tape is pressed firmly onto the carton seam. The activated adhesive penetrates the corrugated board fibres on contact, forming a structural bond rather than a surface bond. This is what makes gummed tape tamper-evident: the seal is part of the board and cannot be removed without leaving visible damage.

What is gummed paper tape?

Gummed paper tape is a kraft paper tape with a plant-based starch adhesive that must be moistened before application. It bonds by penetrating corrugated board fibres: not by adhering to the surface: creating a structural seal that is tamper-evident, paper-based, and 100% recyclable with the corrugated box. It is also sold as water activated tape, WAT tape, gum tape, and paper gummed tape. RAJAPACK stocks two grades: RAJA Gummed Paper Tape 70gsm for standard carton sealing and XTEGRA Reinforced Gummed Paper Tape 125gsm for heavy-load and export applications.

What is the difference between gummed tape and packing tape?

Standard packing tape (polypropylene or paper) is pressure-sensitive: it bonds on contact with the surface of the carton. Gummed paper tape is water-activated: its starch adhesive must be moistened before application and it bonds by penetrating the board fibres, not the surface. This makes gummed tape tamper-evident by mechanism (the seal cannot be removed without visible damage), whereas pressure-sensitive tape can be lifted and resealed without obvious signs. Gummed tape also requires a dispenser; pressure-sensitive tape can be applied by hand. Both unreinforced and reinforced gummed tape grades are fully recyclable with corrugated boxes; most polypropylene and vinyl tape grades are not. For a full comparison, see the packing tape range.

Do I need a special dispenser for gummed tape?

Yes. Gummed paper tape cannot be applied effectively without a water reservoir dispenser. The dispenser activates the adhesive with the correct amount of moisture and cuts the tape cleanly. Applied by hand without activation, the tape will not bond. RAJAPACK stocks a manual gummed paper tape dispenser for lower-volume use, the Optimax OM700 as an affordable electronic entry point with programmable cut lengths and 60m/min output, and the Xtegra Tegrabond as the professional-grade machine for high-volume lines requiring a heated tank, precision pre-set lengths, and rugged multi-shift durability.

Why does my gummed tape keep failing?

The most common cause is insufficient water activation: a near-empty dispenser reservoir delivers too little moisture to fully activate the adhesive, producing a seal that appears bonded but lacks fibre penetration and fails under transit load. Check the reservoir is full before each shift. The second most common cause is insufficient application pressure: the tape must be pressed firmly across the full width of the seam on application, not just laid down. On the XTEGRA 125gsm reinforced grade, correct reservoir level and firm pressure are both more critical than on the standard 70gsm grade due to the thicker adhesive layer.

Is gummed paper tape stronger than regular packing tape?

Within the RAJAPACK paper tape range, the XTEGRA Reinforced Gummed Paper Tape 125gsm is the strongest grade: the glass-fibre reinforcement provides burst and tear resistance beyond any unreinforced paper tape. The standard 70gsm grade suits cartons up to 20kg; the XTEGRA handles cartons over 30kg. The key difference versus all pressure-sensitive tape types is the nature of the bond: gummed tape becomes part of the board structure on application, which is why it cannot be removed without visible damage and why it maintains seal integrity on variable or high-recycled-content corrugated board where surface adhesion is unreliable.

RAJAPACK stocks RAJA Gummed Paper Tape 70gsm and XTEGRA Reinforced Gummed Paper Tape 125gsm with next-day UK delivery. Full range at rajapack.co.uk. For custom printed gummed paper tape with your brand or handling instructions, contact the Specials team on 0800 630 06 21. For all tape types, see the packing tape and adhesives range.