Self-adhesive Paper Tape

Choosing the right paper tape: grades explained

The gsm rating of the paper backing is the primary selection criterion. Higher gsm means a denser fibre structure, greater tensile strength, and the ability to seal heavier cartons. Select by carton weight first, then by adhesive type and tearability requirement.

57gsm kraft paper tape

Kraft paper backing. Natural rubber adhesive. Up to 20kg. Hand or dispenser. 10°C to 60°C. Recyclable.

70gsm kraft paper tape

Kraft paper backing. Natural rubber adhesive. Up to 30kg. Hand or dispenser. 10°C to 60°C. Recyclable.

80gsm paper tape — hot melt

Paper backing. Synthetic hot melt adhesive. Up to 20kg. Hand or dispenser. 15°C to 40°C. Recyclable.

125gsm reinforced kraft tape

Kraft paper with cross weave filament. Artificial hot melt rubber adhesive. Over 30kg. Dispenser only. 15°C to 40°C. Not recyclable.

Mono reinforced paper tape

Semi-crepe paper with monofilament. Hot melt adhesive. Over 30kg. Dispenser only. 15°C to 25°C. Not recyclable.

57gsm kraft paper tape — standard grade for cartons up to 20kg

The most practical entry point for plastic-free carton sealing. 57gsm Kraft paper with natural rubber adhesive bonds on contact, tears cleanly by hand, and recycles with the box in standard paper streams. The widest temperature range in the category — 10°C to 60°C — suits variable-temperature despatch environments and ambient warehouses.

• Available in 25mm, 48mm, and 75mm widths — brown and white paper tape options
• 50m rolls on 76mm core — fits all standard desktop dispensers
• Recycles with the corrugated box, no material separation required
• Hand-tearable — no dispenser or blade needed
• Natural rubber adhesive rated from 10°C to 60°C
• The most widely stocked kraft parcel tape in the RAJA range — available in bulk packs

View 57gsm kraft paper tape.

70gsm kraft paper tape — mid-weight grade for cartons up to 30kg

The practical upgrade for operations that regularly despatch cartons in the 20–30kg range. This brown paper packaging tape shares the same 10°C to 60°C temperature range, recyclability, and hand-tear capability as the 57gsm — the heavier backing provides greater tensile resistance at the seam under stack load.

• 48mm width, 50m rolls on 76mm core
• Natural rubber adhesive — same wide temperature range as 57gsm
• Hand-tearable and recyclable with the box
• Direct step-up from 57gsm — no equipment change needed

View 70gsm kraft paper tape.

80gsm paper tape — hot melt grade for fast-throughput manual packing

Synthetic hot melt adhesive achieves faster initial grab than natural rubber on corrugated board — making this the fastest-sealing hand-tearable option in the range for high-throughput manual packing lines.

• 75mm width, 50m rolls on 76mm core
• Synthetic hot melt — faster initial tack than natural rubber
• Hand-tearable and recyclable with the box
• Temperature range 15°C to 40°C — suited to consistently ambient environments
• Up to 20kg carton capacity

View 80gsm paper tape.

125gsm reinforced kraft tape — for cartons over 30kg

As a reinforced packing tape, the cross weave filament runs in two directions across the 225 micron Kraft paper backing, distributing seam stress bi-directionally. As a reinforced kraft sealing tape it uses artificial hot melt rubber adhesive — the most aggressive adhesive in the range — for immediate bond strength on corrugated board at carton weights over 30kg.

• Cross weave filament reinforcement — bi-directional stress resistance
• Artificial hot melt rubber adhesive — aggressive instant tack
• 48mm width, 25m rolls on 76mm core
• Dispenser required — will not hand-tear
• Temperature range 15°C to 40°C
• Not recyclable — filament cannot be separated from the paper backing

If recyclability is required on cartons over 30kg, reinforced water-activated gummed tape is the correct alternative. View 125gsm reinforced kraft tape.

Mono reinforced paper tape — 48mm and 75mm for cartons over 30kg

Semi-crepe paper backing with monofilament fibreglass reinforcement. The only reinforced paper tape in the RAJA range available in 75mm — for wide carton base flaps requiring single-pass coverage. Quieter application than standard Kraft-backed tape.

• Available in 48mm and 75mm — only reinforced grade with 75mm option
• Semi-crepe backing — quieter application than Kraft-backed reinforced tape
• 50m rolls on 76mm core — longer roll than the 125gsm cross weave
• Dispenser required — will not hand-tear
• Temperature range 15°C to 25°C — most restrictive ceiling in the range
• Not recyclable — monofilament fibreglass cannot be separated from the backing

View mono reinforced paper tape.

Paper tape adhesive types: natural rubber, hot melt, and artificial hot melt rubber

All paper tapes in the RAJA range are pressure-sensitive — they bond on contact without water activation. The adhesive chemistry determines initial tack speed, temperature tolerance, and bond strength under load. Understanding which adhesive type suits your operation is the second selection decision after backing weight.

Natural rubber adhesive — 57gsm and 70gsm grades

Natural rubber adhesive flows into the corrugated board surface on first contact, achieving full initial tack without a dwell period.

• Widest temperature range in the category — 10°C to 60°C
• Reliable across ambient warehouses, loading bays, and variable-temperature environments
• Both grades are hand-tearable and recyclable with the box
• Compatible with standard 76mm dispensers

If you need reliable brown paper parcel tape across a wide temperature range with no dispenser infrastructure, natural rubber is the correct choice.

Synthetic hot melt adhesive — 80gsm grade

Synthetic hot melt achieves faster initial grab than natural rubber on corrugated board surfaces, reducing per-carton dwell time.

• Faster initial tack than natural rubber — suited to high-throughput manual lines
• Temperature range 15°C to 40°C
• Hand-tearable and recyclable
• Requires consistently ambient environment — not for variable or cold conditions

If you need the fastest-sealing hand-tearable paper packaging tape for a high-volume ambient packing line, synthetic hot melt is the correct choice.

Artificial hot melt rubber adhesive — 125gsm reinforced grade

The most aggressive adhesive in the range. Artificial hot melt rubber combines instant tack with a bond that maintains integrity under repeated mechanical stress.

• Aggressive instant tack — bonds immediately on contact with corrugated board
• Sustains bond through conveyor handling, automated sorting, and multi-stage transit
• Temperature range 15°C to 40°C
• Dispenser only

If you are sealing heavy cartons over 30kg at volume and need a tape engineered for demanding transit conditions, artificial hot melt rubber is the correct choice.

Hot melt adhesive — mono reinforced grade

Hot melt adhesive on a semi-crepe backing for a clean, quiet seal at carton weights over 30kg.

• Temperature range 15°C to 25°C — most restrictive ceiling in the range
• Use only in consistently controlled ambient environments
• Dispenser only

Where temperatures regularly approach or exceed 25°C, the 125gsm cross weave reinforced grade — rated to 40°C — is the more appropriate specification.

Paper tape for every operation type

E-commerce and retail despatch

The 57gsm and 70gsm kraft paper tape grades are the direct plastic-free replacement for polypropylene tape at e-commerce despatch benches. Both are hand-tearable, recyclable with the corrugated box, and run on standard 76mm dispensers — no capital investment to make the switch from polypropylene. RAJA supplies paper packing tape across the UK with next-day delivery on stocked grades. For businesses sourcing paper packing tape UK-wide, all grades are available at volume pricing.

• 57gsm — standard cartons up to 20kg, hand-tear, brown or white paper tape
• 70gsm — cartons up to 30kg, hand-tear, natural rubber adhesive
• Both recycle with the box — no separation needed at goods-out
• 76mm core — fits existing polypropylene dispensers

High-throughput manual packing lines

The 80gsm hot melt grade is designed for throughput-driven environments where per-carton sealing speed matters. Synthetic hot melt reduces application dwell time at ambient temperatures between 15°C and 40°C. Hand-tearable and recyclable.

• Fastest initial grab of the hand-tearable grades
• 75mm width — broad single-pass seam coverage
• Compatible with standard 76mm tape dispenser guns
• Recyclable — no change to waste stream management

Heavy carton sealing and industrial fulfilment

For cartons over 30kg, both reinforced paper tape grades are available. Neither is recyclable — filament reinforcement cannot be separated from the paper backing.

• 125gsm cross weave — bi-directional seam resistance, rated to 40°C, 48mm width
• Mono reinforced — 48mm and 75mm options, quieter application, rated to 25°C only
• Both require a 76mm dispenser — will not hand-tear
• For recyclable heavy-carton sealing, use reinforced water-activated gummed tape

Sustainable packaging operations

Switching from polypropylene tape to the 57gsm, 70gsm, or 80gsm paper tape grades eliminates plastic from the box-sealing step without changing dispensing equipment. All three unreinforced grades recycle with the corrugated box — sealed box goes directly into the paper stream without material separation. RAJA holds a Gold rating from EcoVadis — top 5% of companies assessed globally for responsible sourcing — and ISO 14001:2015 environmental management certification.

• 57gsm, 70gsm, 80gsm — all recyclable with the box, no separation
• Same 76mm dispensers as polypropylene — no capital cost to switch
• RAJA: EcoVadis Gold, ISO 14001:2015 certified
• For the full range of plastic-free options, see the eco-responsible packaging selection

Export and pharmaceutical shipments

For export cartons and pharmaceutical shipments requiring a tamper-evident, high-integrity seal, water-activated gummed tape is the more appropriate specification — the plant-based adhesive penetrates the board fibres and the seal cannot be broken without visible damage. For shipments where a self-adhesive paper tape is required on heavy cartons, the 125gsm reinforced paper packing tape provides filament-reinforced tensile strength for cartons over 30kg. For non-paper heavy-duty alternatives, see industrial tape.

Custom print and brand applications

RAJA offers bespoke 1- and 2-colour printed paper tape for logos, batch codes, and handling instructions. For a pre-printed ready-made option in the paper tape range, see RAJA Self-adhesive FRAGILE Paper Tape 57gsm. For warning and handling tape across the full range, see warning and printed tape.

Paper tape FAQs

What is paper tape?

Paper tape is a pressure-sensitive packaging tape made from a kraft or paper backing — most commonly 57gsm, 70gsm, or 80gsm — with a self-adhesive layer that bonds on contact without water activation. It is used to seal cardboard cartons and parcels across e-commerce, warehouse, retail, and industrial environments. The unreinforced grades are hand-tearable and recycle with the corrugated box. Reinforced grades contain filament threads for sealing heavier cartons but require a dispenser and cannot be recycled in standard paper streams.

What is kraft tape?

Kraft tape is paper adhesive tape made from kraft paper — a high-strength paper produced through the kraft pulping process, which retains more of the cellulose fibre than standard paper manufacture. The result is a denser, tougher backing with higher tensile strength and tear resistance. In the RAJA range, the 57gsm, 70gsm, and 125gsm cross weave grades use kraft paper backings. The 80gsm uses standard paper and the mono reinforced uses semi-crepe paper — though all five are brown paper packing tape in practical use.

Is paper tape recyclable?

The 57gsm, 70gsm, and 80gsm grades are fully recyclable in standard UK paper and cardboard recycling streams — the tape does not need to be removed from the carton before recycling. The two reinforced grades contain filament reinforcement that cannot be separated from the paper backing at disposal and are not accepted in standard cardboard recycling. If recyclability is a requirement on cartons over 30kg, reinforced water-activated gummed tape is fully recyclable and rated for the same weight class.

What does gsm mean for paper tape and why does it matter?

GSM means grams per square metre — it measures the weight and density of the paper backing. Higher gsm means denser fibre, greater tensile strength, and the ability to hold heavier loads without the backing splitting at the seam. The RAJA range covers:

• 57gsm — up to 20kg, natural rubber, hand-tear
• 70gsm — up to 30kg, natural rubber, hand-tear
• 80gsm — up to 20kg, synthetic hot melt, hand-tear, faster initial grab
• 125gsm cross weave reinforced — over 30kg, artificial hot melt rubber, dispenser only
• Mono reinforced — over 30kg, hot melt, dispenser only, 48mm and 75mm widths

Specifying the wrong grade for the carton weight is the most common cause of seal failure in transit — the tape appears bonded on the packing bench but fails under load at the first handling or palletisation stage.

What is the difference between self-adhesive paper tape and gummed paper tape?

Self-adhesive paper tape bonds on contact — no water needed. It is faster to apply and works with any standard tape dispenser or by hand on the tearable grades. Gummed paper tape (water-activated tape) uses a starch-based adhesive that activates on contact with water and forms a permanent bond by penetrating the corrugated board fibres. Gummed tape creates a tamper-evident seal that cannot be removed without visible damage — making it the preferred specification for high-value shipments, export cartons, and pharmaceutical despatch. It requires a water reservoir dispenser. For gummed tape options, see gummed tape and dispensers.

Can paper tape be applied by hand without a dispenser?

The 57gsm, 70gsm, and 80gsm grades are hand-tearable and work with or without a dispenser. The 125gsm cross weave reinforced tape and the mono reinforced tape both contain filament reinforcement that resists hand-tearing by design — a desktop or pistol-grip dispenser with a 76mm core is required. All grades use a 76mm core, compatible with standard tape dispenser guns — switching between grades requires no equipment change.

What temperature range does paper tape work in?

Temperature performance varies by adhesive type:

• 57gsm and 70gsm (natural rubber) — 10°C to 60°C — widest range, suits variable-temperature environments
• 80gsm (synthetic hot melt) — 15°C to 40°C — ambient packing lines only
• 125gsm cross weave reinforced (artificial hot melt rubber) — 15°C to 40°C
• Mono reinforced (hot melt) — 15°C to 25°C — most restrictive, controlled environments only

For cold chain or refrigerated despatch below 10°C, paper tape is not recommended.

What is reinforced paper tape and when do I need it?

Reinforced paper tape has filament threads embedded in the paper backing — either monofilament (lengthways) or cross weave (two directions). The filament prevents the longitudinal splitting that unreinforced paper tape shows on cartons over 30kg. You need reinforced paper packing tape when:

• Carton weight exceeds 30kg
• The carton is subject to rough handling, transit vibration, or conveyor stress
• A single seam run must hold without a secondary tape application

Both reinforced grades require a dispenser and cannot be recycled in standard paper streams.

Is paper tape a sustainable alternative to polypropylene tape?

Yes, for operations where recyclability matters. The three unreinforced grades eliminate plastic from the sealing step and recycle directly with the corrugated box. Paper tape for packaging runs on the same 76mm dispensers as polypropylene — no capital cost to switch. RAJA supplies paper packing tape across the UK with next-day delivery on stocked grades, holds a Gold rating from EcoVadis, and is certified to ISO 14001:2015. For all plastic-free packaging options, see the eco-responsible packaging selection.

You might also need

• Tape dispensers — 76mm core desktop and pistol-grip dispensers compatible with all five grades. Required for the two reinforced grades; improves consistency and reduces wrist fatigue on high-volume hand-packing stations for the tearable grades.
• Gummed tape and dispensers — water-activated tape for tamper-evident sealing on high-value, export, or pharmaceutical shipments, and the recyclable alternative for heavy cartons over 30kg.
• Polypropylene tape — for cold chain environments below 10°C, machine sealing lines, or operations where throughput speed takes priority over recyclability.
• Cardboard boxes and cartons — pairing recycled corrugated boxes with unreinforced paper tape for packaging means the entire outer pack is single-stream recyclable without material separation.
• Void fill — under-filled cartons shift contents in transit and concentrate impact stress at the sealed seam. Void fill is the first line of defence against seal failure from the inside out.