A kraft paper tape specification sheet contains plenty of numbers. Still, those numbers don’t always make the buying decision easier.
What does 70 g/m² mean? Is a 0.16 mm tape always stronger than a 0.12 mm product? Should you compare tensile strength, initial tack, holding power, or peel force?
Each value describes a different part of the tape. No single specification can tell you whether the product will seal your carton reliably.
This guide explains the most common kraft paper tape specifications and shows how buyers can use them when comparing samples, preparing quotations, or approving a bulk order.
Identify the Tape Construction First
Before comparing numbers, confirm which type of tape you are evaluating.
The Kraft Paper Tape range includes several different constructions:
- Non-reinforced water-activated tape
- Reinforced water-activated tape
- Pressure-sensitive paper tape
- Natural rubber, hot melt, and acrylic adhesive systems
- Custom printed tape
- Jumbo rolls for converting
These products shouldn’t be compared as though they use the same structure.
Water-activated tape requires moisture before application. Pressure-sensitive tape applies directly from the roll. Reinforced tape adds fiberglass filaments or extra paper layers to improve structural strength.
Start with the construction. Then compare the relevant technical values.
What Does GSM Mean?
GSM means grams per square meter. It describes the weight of a material over an area of one square meter.
However, a specification table may contain several different GSM values.
Paper Weight
Paper weight refers to the kraft paper backing.
Baijin’s catalog examples for non-reinforced water-activated tape use kraft paper ranging from 65 to 90 g/m².
A higher paper weight may create a heavier or stiffer backing. However, it doesn’t automatically produce stronger adhesion. Paper quality, fiber direction, adhesive, coating consistency, and reinforcement also affect performance.
Adhesive Weight
Adhesive weight describes the amount of glue coated over a given area.
The standard water-activated catalog models show adhesive weights of approximately 20–22 g/m².
More adhesive doesn’t always mean better bonding. The adhesive formulation, carton surface, activation, application pressure, temperature, and storage conditions also matter.
Total Weight
Total weight refers to the complete tape construction.
For a non-reinforced product, it may include the paper backing and adhesive coating. Reinforced tape can also contain additional paper layers and fiberglass filaments.
That is why total weight should only be compared between products with similar structures.
Is Thicker Kraft Paper Tape Stronger?
Thickness describes the physical caliper of the tape and is normally stated in millimeters.
The Baijin catalog includes these example ranges:
| Tape Construction | Catalog Thickness Range |
|---|---|
| Non-reinforced water-activated tape | 0.11–0.16 mm |
| Reinforced water-activated tape | 0.14–0.17 mm |
| Pressure-sensitive paper tape | 0.12–0.16 mm |
A thicker tape may feel stiffer or contain more material. Yet thickness alone doesn’t measure bonding or resistance to breaking.
Two products with the same thickness may use different paper, adhesives, coatings, or reinforcement. Their actual sealing performance may therefore be very different.
What Is Tensile Strength?
Tensile strength describes the pulling force a tape can withstand before breaking under specified test conditions.
It becomes important when packages experience:
- Lifting and handling
- Carton movement
- Stacking pressure
- Warehouse storage
- Long-distance transportation
- Heavy or shifting contents
The result is often expressed as N/25 mm.
This means the force was measured using a specimen that was 25 millimeters wide. Before comparing suppliers, confirm that both values use the same specimen width, direction, units, and test method.
Longitudinal and Lateral Strength
Paper tape may perform differently depending on the direction of the force.
Longitudinal Strength
Longitudinal strength is measured along the running direction of the tape.
It matters because application and carton handling often place force along the length of the strip.
Lateral Strength
Lateral strength is measured across the tape’s width.
It helps describe resistance to side tearing and transverse stress.
Baijin’s non-reinforced water-activated catalog models show longitudinal values from 103 to 231 N/25 mm. The listed lateral values range from 35 to 153 N/25 mm.
The reinforced catalog models show longitudinal values from 190 to 303 N/25 mm and lateral values from 97 to 136 N/25 mm.
For cartons that need additional structural support, Reinforced Water-Activated Tape combines kraft paper, fiberglass reinforcement, and water-activated adhesive.
These catalog ranges belong to different models. Buyers should still confirm the exact construction and test conditions before making a direct comparison.
Initial Tack, Holding Power, and Peel Force
Pressure-sensitive paper tape uses a different group of adhesion measurements.
Initial Tack
Initial tack describes how quickly the adhesive grabs the surface after contact.
It is important on manual or fast packing lines because the tape must remain in place immediately after application.
Some catalog models express initial tack with a number followed by the # symbol. Before comparing this value with another supplier, ask which test method and scale were used.
Holding Power
Holding power describes how well the tape resists sustained load over time.
A tape may feel sticky when first applied but slowly move, lift, or slide during storage. Holding power helps evaluate this longer-term performance.
Baijin’s pressure-sensitive catalog models list holding values ranging from 8 to 28 hours under their stated conditions.
180° Peel Force
Peel force measures the force required to remove the tape from a test surface at a 180-degree angle.
The catalog examples range from approximately 8 to 22 N/25 mm.
Peel results can change according to the test surface, application pressure, dwell time, temperature, and test method. A higher number shouldn’t be treated as a universal quality score.
For direct application without water activation, Natural Rubber Paper Packing Tape is designed for carton sealing, shipping, warehousing, and routine packing.
Quick Catalog Comparison
The following figures summarize different models in the Baijin catalog. They are not one universal specification.
| Specification | Standard Water-Activated | Reinforced Water-Activated | Pressure-Sensitive Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper weight | 65–90 g/m² | 35+35 to 40+40 g/m² | Varies by construction |
| Adhesive weight | 20–22 g/m² | 25–33 g/m² | Not separately listed for every model |
| Total weight | 85–110 g/m² | 120–130 g/m² | 105–155 g/m² |
| Thickness | 0.11–0.16 mm | 0.14–0.17 mm | 0.12–0.16 mm |
| Tensile value | 103–231 N/25 mm longitudinal | 190–303 N/25 mm longitudinal | 98–210 N/25 mm |
| Initial tack | Not listed in the same format | Not listed in the same format | 8–18# |
| Holding power | Not listed in the same format | Not listed in the same format | 8–28 hours |
| 180° peel force | Not listed in the same format | Not listed in the same format | 8–22 N/25 mm |
How to Select a Specification
Begin with the packaging job rather than choosing the largest number.Tape dimensions matter as well. If you’re deciding how much carton coverage you actually need, see our guide to choosing kraft paper tape width for carton sealing based on carton size, load, tape construction, and packing method.
Regular Carton Sealing
Light and regular cartons may not require the heaviest paper backing.
Check the carton weight, surface condition, recycled fiber content, storage period, and packing method.
For paper-to-carton bonding that activates with moisture, review Baijin’s Biodegradable Water Activated Kraft Tape.
Heavy or Export Cartons
Heavy loads require more than strong adhesion.
Evaluate the backing construction, longitudinal strength, lateral strength, reinforcement, carton surface, and transportation conditions together.
Fast Manual Packing
Pressure-sensitive tape applies directly from the roll.
Initial tack helps the tape grab quickly. Holding power and peel performance become more important after the package enters storage and transportation.
Converting and Custom Production
Converters should also confirm:
- Master-roll width
- Roll length
- Core size
- Maximum roll diameter
- Winding direction
- Slitting tolerance
- Printing requirements
The complete Baijin product range can be reviewed when comparing finished rolls, custom products, and converting materials.
Common Specification Mistakes
Avoid these common errors:
- Comparing products tested by different methods
- Choosing tape by thickness alone
- Assuming more adhesive always produces better adhesion
- Comparing longitudinal strength with lateral strength
- Focusing on initial tack but ignoring holding power
- Ignoring the actual carton surface
- Approving a data sheet without testing a sample
A specification sheet helps narrow the options. It doesn’t replace a real carton test.
Final Thoughts
Kraft paper tape specifications should be read as a complete system.
Paper weight describes the backing. Adhesive weight describes the coating amount. Thickness describes physical caliper. Tensile strength describes resistance to pulling. Initial tack, holding power, and peel force describe different stages of pressure-sensitive adhesion.
None of these values works alone.
Before placing a bulk order, compare products with similar constructions, confirm how the values were tested, and apply samples to the actual carton under realistic conditions.
For model recommendations, samples, or custom specifications, contact the Baijin Tape team with your carton weight, tape type, required dimensions, packing method, and expected quantity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does GSM Mean in Kraft Paper Tape?
GSM means grams per square meter. Depending on the specification table, it may describe the paper backing, adhesive coating, or total tape construction.
Is Thicker Kraft Paper Tape Always Stronger?
No. Paper quality, adhesive type, reinforcement, fiber direction, and production consistency also affect performance.
What Does N/25 mm Mean?
It means the force was measured using a specimen 25 millimeters wide. Confirm the direction and test method before comparing results.
Which Kraft Paper Tape Specification Is Most Important?
There is no single most important value. The correct specification depends on the carton, product weight, application method, storage environment, and transportation conditions.
