This guide covers the correct application of FRAGILE polypropylene adhesive tape: pre-sealing the box with standard tape, applying the FRAGILE band on every visible face, readable text orientation and final compaction. Follow these steps so that the notice is visible from any angle during transport and handling.
Product specifications
The tape is virgin BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene) with acrylic adhesive and integrated high-contrast FRAGILE printing, manufactured by Fortemo. Its purpose is not to replace the box's main seal, 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 |
| Printing | FRAGILE (high contrast) |
| Rolls per box | 60 rolls |
| Application mode | Manual (with or without dispenser) |
| Brand | Fortemo |
Step by step to use it
The FRAGILE tape does not replace the main closure seal. The professional rule is: close the box first with standard transparent tape making an H-seal, and then apply the FRAGILE tape in specific positions so that the warning is visible from any angle during handling.
Seal the box first with standard transparent tape
Apply an H-seal on the top and bottom with manual transparent PP tape. It is the tape that keeps the box closed during the journey. The FRAGILE tape only adds a visual warning: if you use it as the main closure, its letters end up covered at the joints and lose effectiveness.
Apply a FRAGILE band on every visible face of the box
Stick a diagonal or horizontal band of FRAGILE tape on each of the four sides of the box, not just on top. A box stacked in a truck is seen on its four faces during loading; if the warning is only on top, it gets covered by the next box as soon as it is stacked.
Orient the letters so that they always read straight
Apply the tape so that the word FRAGILE is readable from left to right in a natural reading position. A band with the letters inverted or rotated confuses the operator and reduces the deterrent effect of the message.
For boxes that must travel in a mandatory upright position (electronics, liquids, scientific instruments), combine the FRAGILE tape with "this side up" orientation arrows marked with a marker. The tape warns of fragility; the arrows indicate how to orient it. Without both things, a box correctly identified as fragile may still arrive at its destination, but tipped over.
Press the tape firmly with the roller or your hand
As with the transparent one, the acrylic adhesive needs initial pressure to activate the grip. Pass the dispenser roller or your palm with firm pressure after applying. A FRAGILE band peeled off at a corner no longer has a readable message and stops fulfilling its function.
Complementary products
The FRAGILE tape always works as a pair with regular closure tape. The dispenser speeds up application when the daily volume justifies it. And when operations are high, the machine version frees the operator from repetitive manual closing.
The Manual transparent PP tape is the obligatory pair: it makes the main H-seal while the FRAGILE tape only signals. The Adhesive tape applicator works for either of the two tapes (as long as it is the same size as the dispenser head) and reduces the closing time per box to less than 10 seconds. The PP tape for machines is relevant if your volume already exceeds 100 boxes a day and you have an automatic taping machine.
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 the adhesion and the legibility of the message.
- Storage between 10 °C and 30 °C, without direct sunlight: the Caribbean sun affects both the adhesive and the legibility of the printing color. Store the box indoors, away from windows and from walls that receive sun all afternoon.
- FIFO rotation: use the oldest boxes first. The printing does not fade inside the sealed box, but rotating inventory avoids forgotten rolls that age without use.
- Cleaning the dispenser blade: adhesive residue on the blade causes the cut to drag ink from previous prints and stain the next band. Clean with a dry cloth every 3-4 rolls.
Do not use the FRAGILE tape as the main seal of the box. Although it adheres just as well as the transparent one, the letters of the printing remain 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 distinguish it and treats it like any other. Always use transparent tape to close and FRAGILE tape to signal.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use only the FRAGILE tape to close the box?
Technically it does adhere just as well, but in practice it reduces the effectiveness of the message. The letters of the printing remain hidden along the cardboard joints and the warning becomes barely visible. The professional rule is to close first with transparent tape making the H-seal and then apply the FRAGILE tape in visible bands over the faces of the box.
How many FRAGILE bands should I apply per box?
Minimum four: one on each of the four vertical sides. This way 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 bands per face. A single band on top of the box gets covered as soon as another is stacked on top.
Does it really reduce breakages in transit?
Yes, but it is not magic: it reduces probability, it does not eliminate it. The 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 prevents breakage by compression. The signaling must be accompanied by adequate interior packaging (filling, dividers, double box for electronics).
