Comparison Between Hot Melt And Acrylic Carton Sealing Tapes

Product packaging is very important in any business.  Packaging is sometimes neglected in introducing the product to the market.  It is often overlooked as a very important aspect of marketing.  Just like choosing the right adhesives that will suit your product, which is also often ignored.  Even if you have a dependable taping machine in your packaging department, if you use a not so reliable adhesive tape, your product may be up for a big surprise once delivered to the market.

So how do you chose from a wide variety of adhesives that are out there in the market?  To give you a better perspective and to guide you on what to use on your production line, here is a short comparison between two of the most popular types of tapes:

1.     Adhesion – Hot Melt adhesives have significantly higher adhesion compared to    an Acrylic tape.  This is true to almost any surface including fiberboards.

2.     Shear Value – Hot Melts performs well under constant pull or stress.  This is why hot melt adhesives are commonly used with or performs better in case sealers.  Just like a rubber band when stretched, it goes back to its original state.  Acrylic tapes can be pulled but will come off once they return to its original state.

3.     Price – Acrylics are cheaper that is why this is the choice of many especially when budget is a consideration.  Price of the hot melt depends on the thickness and the size.  Price would also vary if it will be used for heavy duty or just for regular or general tape use.

4.     Temperature – they are both functional in hot and cold temperatures.  Acrylic tapes works in temperatures ranging from 32 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit while Hot melt will work well in temperatures ranging from 45 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.  Acrylics holds up very well in extremely low temperature.

5.     Appearance – Hot melts comes in various colors and it yellows with age.  While Acrylic does not change in color as it ages.  Acrylic tapes have stronger resistance to Oxidation that is why it doesn’t yellow with age even exposed under the sun or any element that can influence change in color.  This is also the reason why Acrylic is preferred by manufacturers whose intention in the first place is to display the box.

Choosing the right tape for your packaging is also essential to positioning your product.  It gives the consumer the sense of assurance that the product is of high quality and well thought off.  Make your customers feel that your product is sealed securely and durably.  Buy the right adhesive now for your product and see the results of having the appropriate tape.