Publication 2 - Packaging for Mailing - Postal Explorer - USPS.com

Closing, Sealing, and Reinforcing4-5.24-5 Tapes4-5.1 UseTapes are used to close, seal, and reinforce mailing containers. Commonlyavailable tapes have pressure-sensitive adhesive or gummed adhesive, witheither reinforced (filament) ornonreinforced backings.However, certaintypes of tapes (suchas cellophane andmasking tapes) arenot strong enough forreinforcing.Reinforcementtape or bandingSealing andclosure tapeThe illustration at right shows howsealing tape can be combined with banding or reinforcement tape toproduce an effective closure for boxes with flaps and for telescopingboxes.4-5.2 Pressure-Sensitive TapePressure-sensitive tape is acceptable for closing and reinforcing mailingcontainers. This type of tape is available with various cloth, paper, or plasticbackings, both plain and reinforced. Except for pressure-sensitive filamenttape, tape used to close and reinforce mailing containers may not be lessthan 2 inches wide. Nonreinforced plastic tapes must be at least as strong inthe cross direction as in the machine (long) direction.Pressure-sensitivefilament tapeKraft paper tapeReinforced kraftpaper tapePressure-sensitive tape works best when applied to clean surfaces attemperatures above freezing. In below-freezing temperatures, the tapeshould be rubbed down after it is applied.Cellophane and masking tapes may not be used to close or reinforcecontainers. These tapes may be used, however, on envelopes to augmentadhesive closures or on bags to cover staples.Publication 2, January 200217