You have just purchased a roll of 50 mm × 100 m manual PP adhesive tape with "FRAGILE" printing and you want every box with delicate products to arrive at its destination intact. This guide covers the only available variant (SKU 688650) and explains how to combine it with regular sealing tape so that the seal withstands the journey and the visual warning is effective.
Product specifications
The tape is virgin BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene) with acrylic adhesive and high-contrast integrated FRAGILE printing, manufactured by Fortemo. Its function is not to replace the main seal of the box, but to complement it with a permanent visual warning so that the courier operator handles the package with care.
| Specification | 50 mm / 100 m / Box of 60 |
|---|---|
| SKU | 688650 |
| Tape width | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Length per roll | 100 m (110 yd) |
| Film material | Virgin BOPP |
| Adhesive | Acrylic |
| FRAGILE (high contrast) | |
| Rolls per box | 60 rolls |
| Application method | Manual (with or without dispenser) |
| Brand | Fortemo |
Step-by-step instructions for use
FRAGILE tape does not replace the main closing seal. The professional rule is: first close the box with standard transparent tape using an H-seal, and then apply the FRAGILE tape in specific positions so that the warning is visible from any angle during handling.
First seal the box with standard clear tape
Apply an H-seal on the top and bottom with manual clear PP tape. This tape keeps the box closed during transit. FRAGILE tape only adds a visual warning: if you use it as the main seal, its letters are covered at the joints and lose effectiveness.
Apply a FRAGILE strip on each visible side of the box
Apply a diagonal or horizontal strip of FRAGILE tape on each of the four sides of the box, not just the top. A box stacked in a truck is seen from all four sides during loading; if the warning is only on top, it gets covered by the next box as soon as it's stacked.
Orient the letters so they are always read upright
Apply the tape so that the word FRAGILE is legible from left to right in a natural reading position. A strip with inverted or rotated letters confuses the operator and reduces the deterrent effect of the message.
For boxes that must travel upright (electronics, liquids, scientific instruments), combine FRAGILE tape with "this side up" orientation arrows marked with a pen. The tape warns of fragility; the arrows indicate how to orient it. Without both, a correctly identified fragile box may still arrive at its destination, but overturned.
Press the tape firmly with the roller or your hand
As with clear tape, the acrylic adhesive needs initial pressure to activate its grip. Use the dispenser roller or your palm with firm pressure after application. A FRAGILE strip peeling at a corner no longer has a legible message and fails its purpose.
Do you ship large volumes of fragile items?
If your operation continuously ships delicate products, the virtual assistant can guide you on sizing, combining with void fill material, and complementary packaging options to reduce breakage returns in transit.
Complementary products
FRAGILE tape always works in conjunction with regular sealing tape. The dispenser speeds up application when daily volume justifies it. And when operations are high, the machine version frees the operator from repetitive manual sealing.
Manual clear PP tape is the essential partner: it creates the main H-seal while the FRAGILE tape only signals. The Adhesive tape dispenser works for either tape (as long as it's the same size as the dispenser head) and reduces the box sealing time to less than 10 seconds. Machine PP tape is relevant if your volume exceeds 100 boxes daily and you have an automatic taper.
Maintenance and care
The FRAGILE printing is integrated into the BOPP film, so its durability depends on the storage condition of the roll. Three rules preserve both adhesion and message legibility.
- Storage between 10 °C and 30 °C, away from direct sunlight: Caribbean sun affects both the adhesive and the legibility of the print color. Store the box indoors, away from windows and walls that receive sun all afternoon.
- FIFO rotation: use older boxes first. The print does not fade inside the sealed box, but rotating inventory prevents forgotten rolls from aging unused.
- Cleaning the dispenser blade: adhesive residue on the blade causes the cut to drag ink from previous prints and stain the next strip. Clean with a dry cloth every 3-4 rolls.
Do not use FRAGILE tape as the main seal for the box. Although it adheres just as well as clear tape, the printed letters are hidden at the cardboard joints and the warning loses effectiveness. A box sealed only with FRAGILE tape at the joints looks at first glance the same as one with normal tape: the courier operator does not differentiate it and treats it like any other. Always use clear tape for sealing and FRAGILE tape for signaling.
Frequently asked questions
Can I only use FRAGILE tape to close the box?
Technically, it adheres just as well, but in practice, it reduces the effectiveness of the message. The printed letters are hidden along the cardboard joints, and the warning becomes less visible. The professional rule is to first close with clear tape using an H-seal and then apply the FRAGILE tape in visible strips on the faces of the box.
How many FRAGILE strips should I apply per box?
A minimum of four: one on each of the four vertical sides. This ensures the warning is visible from any angle when the box is loaded, unloaded, or stacked in a truck. For large boxes (more than 60 cm per side), apply two parallel strips per side. A single strip on top of the box gets covered as soon as another box is stacked on it.
Does it really reduce transit damage?
Yes, but it's not magic: it reduces probability, it doesn't eliminate it. FRAGILE tape acts as a visual warning for the operator, which improves handling in warehouses and distribution centers. However, if the box travels stacked under heavier ones, no tape will prevent compression damage. Signaling must be accompanied by appropriate internal packaging (void fill, dividers, double boxing for electronics).