User guide | Clear manual polypropylene (PP) adhesive tape
This guide covers the manual application of clear PP adhesive tape: box preparation, T-application over the center seam, tension and angle control, corner reinforcement and a clean cut. Follow these steps so that every box you seal arrives closed at its destination, with no lifted edges or open corners.
Product specifications
The tape is virgin BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene) with acrylic adhesive, manufactured by Fortemo in rolls of 50 mm × 100 m. The product has a single variant, so the instructions in this guide apply in full to your roll.
| Specification | 50 mm × 100 m |
|---|---|
| SKU | 855380 |
| Tape width | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Length per roll | 100 m (110 yd) |
| Film material | Virgin BOPP |
| Adhesive | Acrylic |
| Color | Clear |
| Rolls per box | 72 rolls |
| Application method | Manual or with dispenser |
| Brand | Fortemo |
Step-by-step guide to using it
A box sealed properly with this tape requires three things: a clean surface, the correct application angle and constant tension while sticking. The steps below cover the complete process, from preparing the box to cutting the tape without it rolling over on itself.
Prepare the box before applying tape
Close the four top flaps of the box, making sure the two long ones rest over the two short ones. Clean the bonding area with a dry cloth to remove dust, grease or moisture: the acrylic adhesive needs a clean surface to grip fully from first contact.
Apply the first run in a T over the center seam
Start by sticking 5-7 cm of tape onto one of the side faces of the box, just below the join of the flaps. Bring the tape up across the join, run it along the center line over the top and bring it down another 5-7 cm on the opposite side face. This is the main seal and it must be centered so it distributes tension evenly across both flaps.
Keep tension and angle constant while applying
Pull the roll with your free hand while applying the tape with your palm or a manual applicator. The tape should stick without wrinkles and with the film flat, not overstretched. If you stretch it to the maximum, it contracts as it peels and can lift the flaps in transit.
If you are going to seal more than 30 boxes in a row, invest in a manual dispenser with a tape brake. It applies the seal in a single continuous pass, saves you the manual crossing of hands and reduces tape consumption per box by approximately 15% compared with palm application.
Reinforce the corners of the join with two extra seals
Apply two short runs perpendicular to the center seal, one at each end of the join, covering about 4-5 cm on each side. These H-shaped reinforcements block prying-open when the box moves inside the truck and are what prevent most failures on long shipments.
Cut the tape at an angle, not with a sharp tug
Use the dispenser blade or scissors and cut at 45° to the edge of the tape. A straight cut leaves the end perpendicular and the tape tends to peel off the roll on the next use. A diagonal cut keeps a clean tab that is easy to locate so you can start it the next time.
Complementary products
Clear PP tape is the basis of manual sealing, but it rarely appears alone in a real logistics operation. These complements cover higher-volume cases, marking of fragile parcels and temporary masking on surfaces that cannot take permanent adhesive.
The FRAGILE PP Tape is applied on top of the clear one to mark fragile parcels without losing the main seal. The Machine PP Tape is the scaled-up format (910 m per roll) when the volume no longer fits manual closing. The Paper tape is used for temporary masking in painting operations, provisional labeling or closures that will be removed without leaving residue.
Maintenance and care
Virgin PP tape keeps its adhesion for years if you store it correctly. Three basic rules prevent the most common problems (yellowed tape, loss of tackiness, curled tape).
- Storage between 10 °C and 30 °C: keep the unopened boxes in their original packaging, lying flat on the shelf, away from direct sunlight. UV radiation degrades the adhesive and turns the film yellow.
- FIFO rotation: use the oldest rolls first. Virgin PP tape is stable, but rotating the inventory prevents a roll from sitting at the back of the shelf and becoming barely tacky.
- Handling the open roll: after using a roll, leave it with the tab folded over or standing on its edge on the table, not flat. Lying flat, the adhesive sticks to the shelf and when you peel it off it tears off the whole first layer of unusable tape.
Do not apply the tape over damp, dusty or greasy cardboard: the acrylic adhesive needs a clean surface to set. Nor should you store it in a yard, rooftop or roofless warehouse where direct UV radiation yellows the film. Tape that looks yellow has already lost part of its grip and will leave partial peel-offs in transit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use this tape on surfaces other than cardboard?
Yes. The acrylic adhesive bonds well on rigid plastic, paper, glass and smooth wood. On cold metal or greasy surfaces the grip drops considerably; for those cases use aluminum tape or paper tape depending on the use.
How many standard shipping boxes can I seal with a 100 m roll?
It depends on the size of the box and the number of closures. For an average shipping box (30×20×15 cm) with a T-seal and two H-reinforcements, it uses about 1.2 m per box. One roll covers approximately 80-85 boxes with that configuration.
Can I use this tape in an automatic case sealer?
It is not recommended. The 100 m roll is designed for a manual head. Automatic case sealers use longer rolls (910 m) to reduce stops; use the machine PP tape in that case.