Water Activated Tape (WAT) is quickly becoming the go-to packaging tape for businesses looking to reduce their impact on Mother Nature! If you want to find out why, this article takes you through everything there is to know about WAT— Signet takes you through what it is, what are the benefits, the different types, how to use it and what accessories you’ll need!
What is Water Activated Tape?
To put it simply, water activated tape is an eco-friendly packaging tape that is activated by water. Unlike traditional packaging tape, which is often made with non-recyclable materials, water activated tape is made up of natural kraft papers and starch-based adhesives (eco-glue). The tape bonds to cardboard cartons just by adding H2O, making it a strong and durable eco-friendly choice. This unique water-activated adhesive can be used by itself or can also be paired with a Water Activated Tape Dispenser for even greater convenience!
What are the benefits of Water Activated Tape?
Water activated tape is a game-changer when it comes to upgrading your packaging process. This tape is specially designed to make shipping and packaging seamless and secure. Not only is water activated tape an eco-friendly tape alternative, but it also offers superior strength and tamper-evident security. Let’s dive into the details so you can decide if water activated tape is right for you!
1. It is an eco-friendly tape alternative
With water activated tape, you can ship your products with confidence knowing that you're making a positive impact on the environment. Made from natural kraft paper with a plant-based starch adhesive, water activated tape is 100% recyclable, so you don’t even have to remove it from your cartons before placing them your kerbside recycling bin!
2. It has a superior seal and strength
Say goodbye to weak and unreliable tapes! With water activated tape, you can trust that your products will stay put, boasting superior adhesive strength and durability. After the adhesive is activated by water, it penetrates the fibres of the carton or cardboard to effectively secure your package. Additionally, if you’re looking for an extra strong tape option check out our Reinforced Water Activated Tape! It's the perfect solution for those extra tough packaging jobs.
3. It’s easy to use and tamper-evident
Water activated tape allows receivers to detect if their package has been tampered with in transit, which helps provide both senders and recipients peace of mind! But that's not all— water activated tape offers several other benefits that make it an excellent choice for any kind of business. For example, it's extremely easy to use, which means you'll be able to seal your boxes quickly and efficiently.
What are the different Types of Water Activated Tape?
Signet offers two different types of WAT — Kraft Water Activated Tape and Water Activated Tape (Reinforced). We break down the product specs below so you can compare the difference!
Kraft Water Activated Tape
- 6 rolls per pack
- Eco-friendly
- 100% biodegradable and 100% recyclable
- Made from natural kraft paper and plant-based starch adhesive
- Water activation adhesive penetrates the fibres of the carton or cardboard
- Size: 70mm x 184m
- Use with either Manual or Automatic dispensers
Water Activated Tape (Reinforced)
- 6 rolls per pack
- Eco-friendly
- 100% recyclable
- Made from natural kraft paper and plant-based starch adhesive
- Incorporates a layer of paper with cross-woven filaments providing exceptional strength, ideal for heavy-duty carton sealing
- The paper that makes up most of this tape is recyclable, and the small amount of strength filament gets screened out during the recycling process
- Water activation adhesive penetrates the fibres of the carton or cardboard
- Size: 70mm x 184m
- Use with either Manual or Automatic dispensers
So, if you're looking for a sustainable and secure tape solution, look no further than water activated tape. It's no wonder that some of Australia's fastest-growing eco-retailers have already made the switch to water activated tape, including Little Wildling Co, Poppy and Daisy, Shy Tiger, and Be Kind Co.
How to use Water Activated Tape?
The process of applying water activated tape is simple and hassle-free. The tape can be applied by running a wet cloth or sponge over it, or by using a handy Water Activated Tape Dispenser. When water activates the adhesive, it penetrates the fibres of the carton or cardboard and securely fastens your package. This means that your cartons will stay sealed and protected, even in tough shipping conditions!
Water Activated Tape Accessories
Although water activated tape is easy to use by itself, if you are planning on using it on a high-volume scale, you may need a Water Activated Tape Dispenser! Signet offers two high-quality water activated tape dispensers: Manual and Automatic.
The Manual Dispenser is specifically designed for Water Activated Tapes up to 100mm wide. With its sturdy steel frame this Water Activated Tape Dispenser is built to last, making it a cost-effective addition for any workspace! Additionally, the built-in water bath ensures consistent wetting of the adhesive, providing a reliably strong bond every time.
The Automatic Dispenser is also designed for Water Activated Tapes up to 100mm wide. It has 14 pre-set colour-coded jets for tape lengths between 15cm to 145cm allowing for a super quick and easy operation! It has a fast tape output of 114cm per second speed, so you’ll be sure to speed up production time compared to handheld dispensers. It is also equipped with a thermal cut-off and interlock switch, so you can keep kicking those OH&S goals.
Water Activated Tape is a tape solution that you can feel good about using! It's strong, secure, recyclable, and easy to use. When you use water activated tape, you can save time, money, and to top it off its environmentally friendly. Ditch the standard tape and give water activated tape a try for your next packaging project, you won't be disappointed!
To learn more about Signet’s range of Eco-friendly Tapes, check out our Packaging Tape Hub or reach out to a team member on 13 7446, email sales@signet.net.au, Live Chat with us at www.signet.net.au or submit an enquiry below.
