Differences Between Machine & Hand Packing Tape

The differences between machine and hand packing tape are often confused. The actual materials the tapes are made of are the same, the only difference is the length of the rolls. Hand packaging tape is small rolls for hand box sealing applications with a manual tape dispenser. Machine tape rolls are large and made to be dispensed on an automatic carton sealing machine.

     
Applications of Machine & Hand Packing Tape
Both types of tape are used for general-purpose carton sealing applications. How the rolls of adhesive tape are applied is the main difference.

Hand Packing Tape:
These are small rolls of adhesive tape to suit a hand dispenser for manual carton sealing applications. Being smaller rolls, hand packaging tapeallows flexibly being able to carry around the tape and apply it wherever required.



Machine Tape:
Perfect for high-volume applications, these tape rolls are longer than regular packaging tape. As the tape suggests, this adhesive tape is applied using an automatic carton-sealing machine. As the cartons run through the conveyor, the tape rolls out and seals it securely. Machine tape is ideal for high volumes of boxes with minimal labor required.



Different Sizes of Machine & Hand Packaging Tape
Hand Packaging Tape Sizes:
These tape rolls are produced in 75m, 100m, and 150m length rolls to fit a manual tape dispenser. These rolls are available in multiple widths to suit different applications. 48mm packaging tape is the most common size although 36mm and 72mm are used as well. To match each client’s specific requirements, we can also slit the tape rolls to any width depending on the usage.



Machine Tape Sizes:
Machine rolls of packaging tape are generally available in 1000m length rolls to be dispensed on an automatic box taping machine. Omni offers 2000m long machine tape rolls. The advantage of longer rolls is they reduce the need to need to change rolls frequently.



Adhesive Types
This tape is available in different adhesive types—Hybrid, Acrylic, Hot Melt, and Natural Rubber. Using the right kind of adhesive tape based on your requirements is crucial to effective carton sealing. Each type has been formulated to suit different surfaces, applications, and temperature conditions.

Hybrid Adhesive
Made with a blend of rubber solvent and acrylic, the Hybrid adhesion tape performs excellently in both cold and hot conditions ranging from -15°C to 60°C. The tape works best on plastic and cardboard boxes and is available in 75-metre and 1000-metre rolls. 


Acrylic Adhesive
The acrylic-type tape is designed to perform best in low to mild temperatures. It is suitable for adhering to plastic, cardboard, and paper surfaces. The hand application rolls come in various widths including 18mm, 24mm, 36mm, 48mm, 72mm, and 96mm wide. The machine tape rolls are 48mm wide and 1000 meters long to suit an automatic dispenser machine. 



Hot Melt / Synthetic Rubber Adhesive
Also known as synthetic rubber adhesive, Hot Melt adhesion tape comes with premium quality adhesion that can be used to pack items in freezers and cold storage rooms with temperatures of less than 15°C. The tape is best suited for application on cardboard cartons and does not adhere well to plastic surfaces. The hot melt adhesive machine rolls come in 1000-metre and 2000-metre lengths. The brown and clear hand application tape rolls are available in 38mm, 48mm, and 75mm widths. Click here to view our range. 



Natural Rubber / Rubber Solvent Adhesive
A premium adhesive, the tape has excellent bonding properties which makes it easy to use on any kind of surface. Its aggressive adhesion leads to the creation of a high-performance adhesive tape with industry-wide usage and application. The natural rubber solvent type is also available in 48mm and 75mm wide hand rolls and 1000-meter-long machine rolls. 



Custom Printed Tape 
With local and overseas manufacturing plants, product customization is Omni’s specialty. Omni printing facilities give them the unique ability to custom print on hand packaging tape and machine tape rolls. Click here to discover more about our tape customization options