The Pros And Cons Of Hot Melt Packaging Tape
When it comes to packaging and shipping, few materials are as important to a business as the choice of adhesive tape. Choosing the best packaging tape for your business can be a sticky problem. Two popular packaging options are hot melt packaging tape and acrylic tape. Hot melt tape is composed of thermoplastic polymers while acrylic tape is made of acrylic resins sourced from acrylic acids. Below are the major pros and cons of hot melt packaging tape. You should consider these advantages and disadvantages before placing your order of bulk hot melt packaging tape.
PROS
Strength
Hot melt packaging tape is typically composed of three different layers of material: a layer of film, a coat intended for easy release so that it will unwind off the roll without trouble, and finally the adhesive layer. These three layers add to the strength of the material and result in its quick tack. That quick tack makes initial adhesion a breeze. It also means that it will continue to adhere to whatever material it's on.
Better on Recycled Boxes
A major bonus of hot melt tape is that it works very well on corrugated boxes especially those made of recycled materials whereas acrylic tape can struggle. If you are concerned about the carbon footprint of your business and therefore using recycled boxes is important to you, hot melt tape is a great option that provides superior strength to acrylic tape.
Not As Noisy
When compared to acrylic tape, hot melt tape comes off the roll much quieter. When you're exposed to the cacophony of packaging sounds day in and day out, any reduction in extraneous noises can be a major benefit to feeling more comfortable on the job.
CONS
Cold Performance
One downside of hot melt packaging tape, especially when compared to acrylic tape, is that it doesn't perform as well in cold temperatures. It can become more brittle and therefore suffer quality issues when the temperatures dip. If your business or shipping destinations are in colder climates, this is something to seriously consider.
Color
When exposed to UV rays, hot melt tape will yellow over time. If the aesthetics of the display are important to you, this is an important factor to consider.
Cost
Another disadvantage of hot melt tape when compared to other adhesive tapes like acrylic is that it costs a bit more. These costs can add up. However, some business owners consider the additional strength benefits worth the slight cost increase.