Everything You Need To Know About Packing Tapes For Moving
Moving from one state to another or even just across the street is challenging to say the least. Because there are a lot of things to pack and move, people often make plans and lists as to what they have to take with them and the items they will donate. Although the internet is full of advice about how to pack and what to move, rarely any website offers information on the packing tapes and boxes you need. Unfortunately, you have to remember that unless you buy the right quality packaging materials, your valuables will be at risk of damage.
Bear in mind that the quality and strength of tape is of utmost importance when you’re packing because it keeps the boxes tightly closed and ensures that nothing slips out of or into the carton. Also, if you have always thought that all tapes are the same, then you’re quite wrong. The truth is that you can find all qualities, but the best ones to use for moving are acrylic tapes.
So, if you’re looking for information about the best tape that you should buy for taping your moving boxes and the things you need to consider, keep reading this blog and you’ll find out all you need to know about packing tapes.
Experiment with several qualities
Before you start packing and discover that the tape is useless because it won’t hold the boxes together, you need to make sure that you put them on a trial run. Bring home 3-4 qualities of tape and judge them according to strength, adhesion, and ease of use. An excellent way to get the best product possible is to read online reviews to get a better idea of what to expect. Also, remember that tapes used around the house for other projects might not be suitable for moving cartons because they lack the strength you’ll need to pack boxes.
Adhesion – more than just sticking
What’s the first thing that jumps to mind when you hear the word ‘adhesion’? If you’re like most people, you thought about the tapes sticking ability, right? Well, where moving is concerned, you need to ensure that you aren’t just buying something that is sticky but also a tape which can be easily repositioned, hold up to extreme temperatures in storage and has a release coating which helps prevent rebounding. Judging the tape solely on its ability to stick will be a mistake if you want to avoid compromised storage and sudden spills of content.
Strength – get the toughest material
The strength of the tape matters because it will help determine the amount of weight you can put into it. The thickness or millimeter thickness of the tape is the feature that gives the tape its strength so make sure you get industry-grade duct or masking tape that keeps everything intact. To move, you can look for shipping tape which uses a hot melt adhesive that provides strong holding power or heavy-duty tape which is 20x stronger than the standard storage tape. If your boxes are expected to travel a long distance, it is recommended that you opt for the heavy-duty tape.
Usability – avoid the hassle
One of the most infuriating things to experience when you’re packing your valuables for moving is having to fight the tape either because it split or rebounded with the roll. To avoid this, you need to make sure that you purchase packing tape which is easy to use. One technique to escape hassle is to have a co-packer on your side who can unroll and cut the tape for you. You should also have an extra roll for speed packing.
Choose the best type
According to your preferences and the kind of valuables you plan to move, you can choose one or more types of tapes from the following.
Gummed paper tape: Unlike the standard paper tape, this kind is water-activated, and you’ll need to wet it with a dispenser or sponge. This creates a strong, permanent bond with the carton and it is difficult to remove it without scaring the cardboard. The gummed tape is also ideal when you want to strengthen the hold of your boxes and is perfect for massive and long-term storage. While you may be a little resistant to buy this tape because you will have to go a step further to wet the tape, it will help you save too because it won’t be used as much as standard tape.
Filament tape: Another type of tape which is suitable for packing and moving is filament tape which has strands of fiberglass which provide support for boxes that are at risk of being jostled during transit. You’ll find some filament tape types in the market, and the one you purchase depends on the weight you want them to hold. For instance, while you can use the 100 pounds tape for general boxing, heavier packing will require 380-pound type filament tape as these have the most robust hold.
Labeled tape: If you don’t want to go through the break-breaking process of bringing a carton from one room to the other, you have to invest in labeled tape. This type of tape is ideal for moving because it comes with color-specific packaging tape that can be used to mark boxes of each room. This type of tape will take out the guesswork and make your life so much easier. If you like, you can also customize your tape and ask the provider to incorporate words or shapes of your choosing.
If you don’t want to make the mistake of using masking tape, brown paper packing tape or duct tape which aren’t manufactured for moving, this informative blog will prove to be invaluable.
