Kraft paper tape: widths, uses & how to seal a box

What is kraft paper tape?

Kraft paper tape is a self-adhesive packing tape made from natural brown kraft paper instead of plastic film. Because the backing is paper, a sealed box goes into paper and card recycling in one piece — there's no plastic strip to peel off first. It sticks from the roll like ordinary tape (no water or gummed-tape gun needed), and it tears cleanly across its width by hand, so you can seal a parcel without scissors or a blade. Our kraft paper tape comes in natural brown in three widths — 10mm, 20mm and 24mm.

In short: kraft paper tape is self-adhesive brown paper tape that tears by hand and recycles with the carton — a plastic-free swap for packing tape.

Which width of kraft paper tape should I use?

Choose your width by box size and weight: narrow for small jobs, wider for hold across the seam. The 10mm tape is best for small cartons, bundling and labelling; 20mm is the everyday all-rounder that seals most parcels; and 24mm gives the broadest grip across the seam for heavier or larger boxes. All three share the same kraft paper backing — only the coverage changes.

• Kraft Tape - 10mm x 30m — £2.69
• Kraft Tape - 20mm x 30m — £3.69
• Kraft Tape - 24mm x 30m — £4.39

In short: 10mm for small cartons and bundling, 20mm as the everyday all-rounder, 24mm for heavier or larger boxes.

Kraft paper tape vs plastic packing tape — which is better?

For a recyclable, plastic-free parcel, kraft paper tape wins; for sheer low cost per metre, plastic packing tape still leads. The big practical difference is end-of-life: a box sealed with kraft tape recycles as one with the card, while a box sealed with plastic tape has to have the tape removed first. Kraft tape also tears by hand and writes on, which plastic tape doesn't. Plastic tape is cheaper roll-for-roll and stretches more, but it's a separate waste stream and needs a blade or dispenser.

In short: choose kraft paper tape for a recyclable, plastic-free, hand-tearable seal; plastic tape only really wins on cost per metre.

How do you apply kraft paper tape for a secure seal?

To seal a box securely with kraft paper tape, press a strip firmly along the centre seam and add a strip across each end. Make sure the box flaps are closed and the surface is clean and dry, then run the tape down the centre join with a few centimetres of overlap onto each face, smoothing it down so it bonds. For heavier boxes, add a strip across each end seam in an "H" pattern so nothing can pop open in transit. Tear it off square by hand — no blade needed — and burnish the ends down with your thumb.

In short: run a strip down the centre seam, add a strip across each end on heavier boxes (an "H"), and press the ends down firmly.

Frequently asked questions

Can you recycle kraft paper tape with the box?

Yes. Self-adhesive kraft paper tape is paper-based, so a carton sealed with it can go into paper and card recycling as one — there's no plastic film to peel off first. That's the main reason makers switch to it from plastic packing tape, which has to be removed before the box can be recycled.

Do you need a water-activated tape gun for kraft paper tape?

No. This is self-adhesive kraft paper tape, so it sticks straight from the roll like ordinary packing tape — no water, no gummed-tape dispenser needed. It tears cleanly by hand, so you don't need a blade or a heavy tape gun either.

Which width of kraft paper tape should I use?

Match the width to the box. The 10mm tape suits small cartons, bundling and labelling; 20mm is the everyday all-rounder for most parcels; and 24mm gives extra hold across the seam on heavier or larger boxes. For a really secure seal on a heavy carton, run a strip along the centre seam and one across each end.