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Economy packing tape is a 25 micron polypropylene film tape with an acrylic adhesive and a 42 micron total thickness. The RAJA economy polypropylene packaging tape seals corrugated cartons up to 20kg and is designed for light-duty use in post rooms, small offices and low-volume retail dispatch operations. It bonds to paper and board surfaces and is UV resistant. Available in brown and clear, 48mm wide, 66m per roll on a 76mm core.
A light-duty polypropylene packing tape with acrylic adhesive on a 25 micron film. UV resistant, 42 microns total thickness, rated for cartons up to 20kg. Available in brown and clear, one width.
Acrylic is a water-based pressure-sensitive adhesive that forms a bond through sustained contact pressure rather than instant surface wetting. On clean, dry corrugated board at ambient temperature, the acrylic adhesive on the economy grade develops a functional seal for cartons up to 20kg. Unlike synthetic hot melt, acrylic requires 15 to 30 seconds to reach full peel strength after application, so cartons should not be stacked or moved immediately after sealing. Acrylic adhesive also performs less consistently on high-recycled-content board, where the surface is more porous and irregular.
The 25 micron film provides adequate tensile strength for cartons up to 20kg in light-duty use. At 42 microns total thickness, the tape is thinner than the standard 28 micron grade (46 microns) and the 32 micron grade (48 microns). Under sustained transit load or on heavy cartons approaching 20kg, the thinner film is more susceptible to splitting and necking at carton edges than higher-gauge grades. The economy tape is the right choice where carton weights are consistently well below 20kg and the operation is low volume.
The polypropylene film provides UV resistance, maintaining seal integrity in brightly lit storage areas and standard indoor environments. As with all polypropylene tape in the range, UV resistance applies once the tape is applied; rolls stored in direct sunlight before use will degrade. Store rolls in their original sealed packaging away from windows and UV sources.
Rolls are wound on a 76mm core, the standard diameter for all RAJA polypropylene tape dispensers. No equipment change is needed when using the economy grade alongside other tapes in the range. The tape is not hand-tearable; a dispenser is required for clean cutting.
Acrylic adhesive requires a clean surface and time to develop its bond; most failures with economy tape come from applying to contaminated board or moving cartons before the adhesive has set.
Inspect the seam area for dust, moisture and contamination before applying. Acrylic adhesive is less tolerant of surface imperfections than hot melt; dust and moisture reduce contact area and prevent the adhesive from developing full bond strength. If cartons have been in a cold area, allow them to warm to ambient temperature before sealing. Applying below 0°C will produce a seal that appears intact but has not bonded.
Seat the roll on the dispenser spindle with the adhesive side facing the blade. Pull approximately 10cm of tape over the blade and confirm it seats flat without bunching. A blunt blade tears rather than cuts cleanly, leaving frayed edges that lift from the carton surface. Check the blade before starting and replace if it is not cutting crisply.
Start at the centre of the top or bottom seam and draw the dispenser in one continuous pass toward the carton edge, then back to centre and out to the opposite edge. This H-seal pattern distributes the tape evenly across the seam. Starting at a corner creates an uneven bond that is more likely to lift under load.
Run the heel of your hand or the back of the dispenser blade along the full length of the tape immediately after laying. Acrylic adhesive develops peel strength through sustained contact pressure; pressing the tape down increases the contact area between adhesive and board. Allow 15 to 30 seconds before stacking or moving the carton. Skipping this step, particularly on textured or recycled board, is the most common cause of early edge lifting with economy tape.
Store rolls horizontally in original sealed packaging at 15°C to 25°C with humidity below 50%. Shelf life is 12 months from manufacture. Write the delivery date on each case on arrival and rotate stock using a first-in, first-out system. Beyond 12 months, acrylic adhesive degrades and will not develop full bond strength even under correct application conditions.
The economy grade is the entry point in the RAJA polypropylene range, suited to light-duty and low-volume use. Step up when volumes increase or carton weights are higher.
Cartons are well under 20kg, the operation is low volume, and cost-per-roll is the primary consideration. Post rooms, small retail dispatch and infrequent warehouse sealing are the correct applications. The acrylic adhesive performs reliably on clean, dry board at ambient temperature in these conditions.
Volumes are higher, cartons approach 20kg, or board quality is variable. The synthetic hot melt adhesive bonds faster than acrylic, performs more consistently on recycled board, and is available in three widths with 132m roll lengths for high-volume lines.
Cartons are between 20kg and 30kg, or a stronger initial grab is needed on heavier corrugated board. The natural rubber adhesive on the 32 micron grade develops higher peel strength than either the economy or standard grade.
The operation requires kerbside recyclable packaging. Paper tape is hand-tearable, recyclable with the box, and does not require tape removal before the carton is recycled.
Economy packing tape (PDT03567) is a 25 micron polypropylene film tape with an acrylic adhesive, at 42 microns total thickness. It seals corrugated cartons up to 20kg and is designed for light-duty, low-frequency sealing in post rooms, small offices and retail dispatch. Available in brown and clear, 48mm wide, 66m per roll on a 76mm core.
The economy grade (PDT03567) is 25 micron with an acrylic adhesive and 42 micron total thickness. The standard 28 micron grade (PDT01423) has a synthetic hot melt adhesive, 46 micron total thickness, and is available in three widths including 132m roll lengths. Hot melt bonds faster than acrylic and performs more consistently on recycled board. The economy grade is the right choice where cost-per-roll is the priority and volumes are low.
Polypropylene tape cannot be recycled in paper or cardboard streams. The polypropylene film must be removed from corrugated board before the board is recycled. Polypropylene tape requires specialist plastic film collection; it cannot go in household kerbside recycling. For operations where kerbside recyclability is required, use self-adhesive paper tape, which is recyclable with the box.
Yes. Rolls are wound on a 76mm core, which fits all standard pistol-grip and bench-mounted tape dispensers. The tape is not hand-tearable and requires a dispenser to cut cleanly.
Economy packing tape is rated for cartons up to 20kg. For sustained high-volume use or cartons approaching 20kg, use the standard 28 micron polypropylene tape (PDT01423), which has a stronger hot melt adhesive. For cartons above 20kg, use the 32 micron grade (PDT00449).
Acrylic adhesive requires a clean, dry surface and firm pressure across the full seal length to develop its bond. Unlike hot melt, acrylic needs 15 to 30 seconds to develop full peel strength. Applying to dusty, damp or cold board, or failing to press the tape down after laying, are the most common causes of failure. Below 0°C, acrylic adhesive loses initial tack entirely.
Store rolls horizontally in original packaging at 15°C to 25°C with humidity below 50%. Do not store in unheated areas, loading bays or near external doors. Shelf life is 12 months from manufacture. Rotate stock using a first-in, first-out system and do not use rolls beyond the shelf life date.
