To sum it up briefly:
The differences between hot melt and acrylic adhesive tape depend on your application. As stated in the video, acrylic is the most commonly used tape, it’s inexpensive and works well for cold settings. However, it has a hard release and is loud when used and can create wear and tear for machines.
Hot Melt vs Acrylic Tape
What is Hot Melt Tape?
Hot melt tape is a strong adhesive tape that works well on recycled and corrugated boxes.
The material used in the tape is a rubber and resin adhesive so it is a bit more expensive compared to acrylic tape. It also has a quicker tack and easier release compared to acrylic tape as well.
Click the video above to learn more!
When it comes to packaging, tape might seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference in performance and cost.
Let’s start with acrylic tape. This is the most commonly used tape, and for good reason.
It’s quick and inexpensive, and it works well in cold temperatures.
However, there’s a downside – it’s loud and has a hard release, which means more wear and tear on your machine.
Now, let’s talk about hot melt tape.
This type of tape is slightly more expensive, but it has its own set of benefits. It works well on recycled boxes and has a quicker tack and easier release.
Plus, it’s not as loud as acrylic tape. However, keep in mind that the standard hot melt tape doesn’t perform well in cold temperatures. If that’s a concern for your application, you may want to look into our cold temperature version.
When it comes to choosing between hot melt and acrylic tape, consider your budget and the specific needs of your application. Both types have their own unique characteristics, and the right one for you will depend on your particular circumstances.
Here’s where it can affect your bottom line:
Choosing the wrong tape can cost you more in the long run, both in terms of performance and cost.
For example, let’s say you’re using acrylic tape for your packages, but you operate in a cold storage facility. The acrylic tape may not perform well in the cold, causing your packages to pop open or become damaged in transit. This could result in costly returns and lost revenue.
If you had chosen hot melt tape instead, which is specifically designed to work well in cold temperatures, you could have prevented these issues.
The cost of hot melt tape may be slightly higher upfront, but it could end up saving you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in returns and lost revenue in the long run.
For example:
Let’s say you ship out 100 packages a day, and 10% of them become damaged due to the use of the wrong tape.
That’s 10 packages that need to be returned and re-shipped, which could cost you $100 in shipping fees alone.
Over the course of a year, this adds up to $36,500 in unnecessary expenses. By choosing the right tape, you could have saved this money and increased the efficiency and reliability of your packaging process.
How Strong is Acrylic Tape?
Acrylic tape is a strong and durable type of adhesive tape that is often used in industrial and construction applications. Its strength is typically measured in terms of its holding power, or the amount of weight it can support without breaking or losing its grip.
A common measure of this strength is in pounds per inch (lb/in). For example, an acrylic tape with a strength of 50 lb/in can support a weight of 50 pounds when one inch of tape is used.
It’s important to note that the strength of acrylic tape can be affected by several factors, including surface texture, temperature, and humidity. Generally, acrylic tape is considered a strong tape, and it is often used for bonding heavy objects, such as concrete blocks or metal sheets.
To put it in simpler terms, you can think of acrylic tape as being similar in strength to duct tape, but with more resistance to temperature and weather changes.
Here’s an example:
Imagine you have a stack of 10 textbooks, each weighing 5 pounds. If you use one inch of acrylic tape with a strength of 50 lb/in to hold the stack together, it will easily support the weight of the books and hold the stack firmly.
Think of it as if you’re sticking a strong piece of invisible Velcro to the books, and it can hold them up without breaking or slipping. The Velcro is the acrylic tape, and its strength of 50 lb/in is like the number of hooks and loops in the Velcro that hold the weight of the books securely.
