Kraft vs Polypropylene vs Vinyl Tape: What’s The Difference?

When choosing packaging tape, the material used for the backing can make a significant difference to how the tape performs. At Prima, the three main packaging tape substrates we supply are kraft paper, polypropylene and vinyl (PVC). Each offers different benefits, making them suited to different packaging requirements.

Kraft Tape: A Sustainable Packaging Choice

Kraft tape uses a paper backing and is particularly popular with businesses looking for a more sustainable alternative to plastic packaging tape. Prima’s kraft tapes are made from paper-based materials and are available with natural rubber or hot melt adhesives.

Kraft natural rubber tape is suited to light and medium-weight packaging, while reinforced kraft tape incorporates glass fibre for applications involving heavier loads. Kraft tape can also be printed, making it useful for businesses that want to combine packaging with branding.

Polypropylene Tape: Versatile and Cost-Effective

Polypropylene (PP) is a plastic film that offers a versatile packaging solution. Prima supplies polypropylene tapes with several adhesive options, including natural rubber, hot melt and acrylic.

Depending on the specification, PP tape can offer good performance in cold conditions, low-noise unwinding or suitability for heavier packaging. It is also available as a printed tape, with some options supporting printing in up to six colours.

Vinyl Tape: Strong and Flexible

Vinyl, or PVC, tape is a durable option with excellent plasticity and rigidity. Prima’s vinyl tape has a high-tack natural rubber adhesive and can be torn by hand, making it particularly useful where tape needs to conform to irregular surfaces.

Its slow, quiet release also makes it well suited to applications where reducing packaging noise is important.

Which Packaging Tape Is Right For You?

There isn’t one material that’s right for every application. Kraft is a strong choice where paper-based packaging and sustainability are priorities. Polypropylene offers versatility across a wide range of packaging applications, while vinyl provides high tack, durability and flexibility.

At Prima, we have over 60 years of experience supplying packaging tapes and can help you select the right combination of backing and adhesive for your requirements.