Packaging Tapes are known by a host of other names such as sticky tape, self-stick tape, self-adhesive tape, adhesive tape, or PSA tape. Whatever the name used, Packaging Tapes are essential for taping down packages so that their wrapping stays secure or so boxes cannot be opened. One reason Packaging Tapes are called PSA tapes is because one side of the tape is covered with a pressure sensitive adhesive that lines the backing material. One example of this type of tape that you may be familiar with is masking tape. Duct tape also falls under the category of Packaging Tapes.

Packaging Tapes are used in a variety of packaging applications for work, home and school. Packaging Tapes fall into two broad categories - the first would be the aforementioned PSA tape, which only firmly sticks onto the application surface, like the top of a cardboard box when you apply pressure on the tape. The second type is the water activated tape that is also known as gummed tape. This second type of tape requires that the adhesive side of the tape contact water for its adhesive to become sticky and ready to be applied to the application surface.

Packaging Tapes can also be classified either as single-sided tape or double-sided tape. Like their names imply, the single sided Packaging Tapes have adhesive only on one side, while the double-sided Packaging Tapes have adhesive on both sides. Sometimes Packaging Tapes have a protective film that can be peeled off so that the underlying adhesive can be used.

Though it is not clear who really can be credited with invention of the Packaging Tapes concept, some believe that Richard Drew from the 3M companies was the one who came up with the concept of these adhesive tapes back in 1926. Nowadays, there are a wide variety of other types of tapes that have contributed to advances in Packaging Tapes technology.

Though you may think that tape is only used for wrapping gifts and other packages, adhesive tape has a lot of other applications nowadays. For instance, there is hockey tape that is used to tape the grip area of lacrosse and hockey sticks. We have surgical tape that is used as a type of bandage that can keep a dressing fixed on a wound surface. You might also be familiar with gaffer tape that is used to tape down cables in entertainment-related industries by gaffers. Stage gaffers rely on Spike tape (another type of gaffer tape) which is brightly colored so that they can easily see actors or furniture on a dimly lit stage. There are many other types of adhesive tape employed for different applications in various industries at present.

If you don't find Packaging Tapes that interesting, well, guess what, there are actually organizations devoted to upgrading and upholding the high standards of the manufacturing of Packaging Tapes so consumers get the best Packaging Tapes they can for the money. For these professionals, Packaging Tapes are a vital part of the commercial and home market.