Packaging tapes are generally used for sealing and preventing pilfering or contamination. Packaging tapes are generally made from high tear biaxially oriented polypropylene film or polyester film backing. Many of these adhesives have a fabric reinforced backing and reinforcing fibers are also embedded in the adhesive. These have generally replaced vinyl film and resin saturated paper tapes, although they are still used in lower strength packaging applications.
Packaging applications are the largest volume usage of pressure sensitive tape, and they are quite sensitive to price. Acrylic adhesives are generally used for bonding low energy surfaces such as coated paper or plastic film.