Putting your brand on the tape is one of the cheapest ways to make a shipped parcel feel considered. The question most businesses skip is which tape to print it on: paper, standard plastic (BOPP), or water activated. Each carries print well and each suits a different priority.
Key points
- All three common carton tapes can be custom printed, flexographic or digital.
- Water activated paper tape is the choice when recyclability and a tamper-evident seal matter alongside branding.
- BOPP plastic tape is the choice when you want the lowest cost, no dispenser, and application over printed artwork.
- Self-adhesive kraft paper tape sits between the two: a paper look, no water, but a pressure-sensitive adhesive.
The three options for branded tape
Custom printed water activated (gummed) paper tape
Your brand on a kraft strip that bonds into the carton and recycles with it. Best when the parcel is part of a sustainability story, when you want a tamper-evident seal, or when you ship in volume and can run a dispenser. Print in water-based inks so the carton stays recyclable. See printed water activated tape and branded water activated tape.
Custom printed BOPP (plastic) tape
Your brand on clear or coloured polypropylene film with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Lowest cost per metre, applies with a hand gun, and can go over pre-printed carton artwork and labels because it can be clear. Best for low-to-moderate volume, low budget, and where recyclability of the seal is not a priority. The plastic should be removed before the carton is recycled.
Custom printed self-adhesive kraft paper tape
Your brand on a kraft backing with a rubber or acrylic adhesive. A paper appearance and a hand tear, no dispenser or water, but the adhesive is still a pressure-sensitive one, so the recycling story is weaker than gummed tape. Best when you want the paper look without setting up a dispenser.
Choosing between them
- Recyclable, tamper-evident, volume: printed water activated tape.
- Lowest cost, no dispenser, clear over artwork: printed BOPP.
- Paper look, no dispenser, moderate volume: printed self-adhesive kraft.
- Heavy or export cartons: printed reinforced water activated tape.
Print method, briefly
Flexographic printing suits a settled one or two colour logo at volume, lowest cost per metre. Digital printing suits multi-colour or detailed designs and short runs, at a higher per-metre price. Design for the repeat, keep text legible on a moving carton, and supply vector artwork. The design detail is in printed water activated tape, and the commercial detail in custom water activated tape.
Where Carewell fits
Carewell Group runs custom printed tape on all three: water activated paper, reinforced paper, and BOPP, plus self-adhesive kraft, from artwork setup to delivery across Australia. Carewell can meet all your packaging needs in one place. Talk to our team about your brand and volume and we will work to your required minimum order quantity. Request a quote and samples or call +61 (02) 8760 1491.
Frequently asked questions
Which tape should I print my brand on?
Water activated paper tape if recyclability and a tamper-evident seal matter and you ship in volume. BOPP plastic if cost is the priority and you want no dispenser. Self-adhesive kraft for a paper look without a dispenser.
Is printed paper tape still recyclable?
Printed water activated (gummed) tape is, if the inks are water-based and there is no plastic laminate. Printed BOPP is not recyclable with the carton.
Flexographic or digital printing?
Flexo for a settled one or two colour logo at volume. Digital for multi-colour, detailed or short-run designs.
Can I print over my existing carton artwork?
Only with clear BOPP tape. Paper tapes are opaque and will cover artwork underneath.
What is the minimum order for branded tape?
It depends on the tape and print method. Talk to our team and we will work to a minimum order quantity that suits your volume.
Written by Alif Vasaya, digital and content strategy, Carewell Group. Carewell Group is an Australian packaging, food packaging, tape, industrial safety and 3PL supplier serving all of Australia. Last updated 10 September 2026.