Kraft paper tape is an eco-friendly packaging tape made from natural kraft paper and adhesive. Unlike conventional plastic packing tape (OPP, PVC, or PET), kraft paper tape contains no plastic film — making it fully recyclable with cardboard and compliant with increasingly strict environmental regulations worldwide.
As global packaging regulations tighten — particularly in the European Union, Japan, and parts of the United States — more companies are switching from plastic tape to kraft paper tape. This guide covers everything you need to know: what it is, how it's made, the different types available, and how to choose the right one for your packaging needs.
What is Kraft Paper?
Kraft paper is a strong, durable paper produced through the kraft process — a chemical pulping method that converts wood into wood pulp while removing lignin (the component that makes paper brittle). The result is a paper with high tensile strength, tear resistance, and a natural brown color. The word "kraft" comes from German, meaning "strength."
Kraft paper is widely used in packaging because it is:
- Strong: Higher tear resistance than regular paper due to long wood fibers
- Natural: Made from wood pulp without harmful chemical additives
- Biodegradable: Breaks down naturally in the environment
- Recyclable: Can be recycled with cardboard and paper waste
- Writable: Accepts pens, markers, stamps, and printing
How Kraft Paper Tape is Made
The manufacturing process for kraft paper tape involves several key steps:
- Base paper production: Wood pulp is processed through the kraft method to create strong base paper.
- Surface treatment: The paper surface may undergo release treatment to prevent the roll from sticking to itself.
- Adhesive coating: Hot-melt adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to one side of the paper.
- Cutting and winding: The coated paper is slit to the desired width and wound into rolls.
- Optional printing: For printed tape, flexographic printing is applied before the adhesive coating step.
Types of Kraft Paper Tape
1. Eco-Friendly Kraft Paper Tape
The standard kraft paper tape — made from plastic-free kraft paper substrate with hot-melt adhesive. This is the most common type, suitable for carton sealing, logistics packaging, and general packaging applications. Our GFB072 model features 108 g/m² grammage, 124 μm thickness, and peel strength of 17.4 N/25mm.
2. Re-stickable Kraft Paper Tape
A special variant that allows tape-to-tape adhesion at overlapping areas. Standard kraft tape has release-treated surfaces that prevent overlapping adhesion. Re-stickable tape solves this problem, making it ideal for cross-pattern sealing and reinforced seams.
3. Printed Kraft Paper Tape
Kraft tape with custom LOGO, brand name, or promotional text printed on the surface. This transforms packaging tape into a branding medium — every sealed carton displays your brand. Available in 1-3 color flexographic printing with free design service.
4. Wrinkled Kraft Paper Tape
Tape with a special wrinkled texture that makes it softer and more conformable than flat tape. Ideal for wrapping irregular shapes, corners, and curved surfaces where standard tape would lift or crease.
Key Properties and What They Mean
When evaluating kraft paper tape, pay attention to these technical specifications:
- Peel Strength (N/25mm): How much force is needed to peel the tape off a surface. Higher is better. Our tape: 17.4 N/25mm.
- Tensile Strength (N/15mm): How much pulling force the tape can withstand before breaking. Our tape: 55.5 N/15mm.
- Holding Power (minutes): How long the tape holds a 1kg weight on a vertical surface. Our tape: 500+ minutes.
- Grammage (g/m²): The weight of the paper per square meter, indicating thickness and strength. Our tape: 108 g/m².
- Thickness (μm): Overall tape thickness including adhesive. Our tape: 124 μm.
Advantages Over Plastic Tape
| Feature | Kraft Tape | Plastic Tape |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic content | Zero | 100% |
| Recyclable with cardboard | Yes | No |
| EU REACH compliant | Yes | Often not |
| Writable surface | Yes | No |
How to Choose the Right Kraft Tape
Consider these factors when selecting kraft paper tape:
- Application: Carton sealing? Product labeling? Gift wrapping? Different applications need different tape types.
- Carton weight: Heavy cartons need higher peel strength and holding power.
- Sealing pattern: If you use cross-pattern sealing, choose re-stickable tape.
- Branding needs: If you want your LOGO on the tape, choose printed tape.
- Surface shape: For irregular surfaces, wrinkled tape provides better conformability.
- Regulatory requirements: For EU export, ensure REACH/RoHS compliance.
Kraft paper tape is not just an eco-friendly alternative — it is increasingly becoming the regulatory standard. Forward-thinking companies are making the switch now rather than waiting for mandatory compliance deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is kraft paper tape as strong as plastic tape?
Yes. Quality kraft tape (like our GFB072) has tensile strength of 55.5 N/15mm, comparable to or exceeding standard plastic packing tape.
Can it be recycled with cardboard?
Yes. Since it contains no plastic film, kraft paper tape can be recycled together with cardboard waste without separation.
Is it more expensive than plastic tape?
Unit price may be slightly higher, but total cost of ownership is often lower when considering waste disposal savings, regulatory compliance, and brand value.
Conclusion
Kraft paper tape is the packaging material of the future — eco-friendly, regulatory compliant, and versatile. Whether you need standard tape for carton sealing, re-stickable tape for cross-pattern applications, printed tape for branding, or wrinkled tape for irregular surfaces, there is a kraft tape solution for your needs.
If you're looking for a reliable kraft paper tape manufacturer, contact us for a quote. All our products are REACH/RoHS certified and suitable for export to EU, Japan, Korea, and North America.