Custom printed water activated gummed paper tape providing secure, tamper-evident and recyclable carton sealing for sustainable packaging.
Custom printed water activated gummed paper tape providing secure, tamper-evident and recyclable carton sealing for sustainable packaging.
Custom printed water activated gummed paper tape providing secure, tamper-evident and recyclable carton sealing for sustainable packaging.
Custom Printed Paper Tape | Colours - 1 (White), with natural brown base material | Positive Print
Custom Printed Paper Tape | Colours - 1 (White), with natural brown base material | Positive Print
Printed Paper Tape | Colours - 1 (Black), with natural brown base material | Positive Print
Printed Paper Tape | Colours - 1 (Black), with natural brown base material | Positive Print

Custom Printed Water-Activated ‘Gummed’ Paper Tape

Plastic-free, fully recyclable paper tape.

100% recyclable, compostable and biodegradable. Create a professional, branded seal while reducing your reliance on plastic packaging.

Our custom printed water-activated gummed paper tape is made from paper and uses a water-activated, starch-based adhesive to create a strong bond with your cardboard packaging. Printed with your logo, brand colours, messaging or bespoke artwork, it turns every box into a branded customer experience.

Also known as gummed paper tape, water-activated paper tape or reinforced paper tape, it’s an ideal packaging solution for eCommerce businesses, retailers, manufacturers and fulfilment companies looking for a plastic-free alternative to conventional plastic packing tape.

See water-activated tape in use

1 Colour Designs (48mm x 200m rolls)

72 Rolls @ £8.82 p/roll (£635) 
108 Rolls @ £7.90 p/roll (£853)
180 Rolls @ £7.08 p/roll (£1,274)
360 Rolls @ £6.59 p/roll (£2,372) 
Bulk Buy from £6.08 p/roll Request official quote

FREE Artwork on 108 rolls+, or £50
FREE Design Support

Found it cheaper? We’ll do our best to match it and you’ll still get free design support.

Other sizes available – Request quote

Get a Quote | Start Your Design

What is water-activated gummed paper tape?

Water-activated gummed paper tape is a paper packaging tape with a water-activated adhesive. Unlike conventional self-adhesive packing tape, the adhesive is moistened before application. Once activated, the adhesive bonds firmly to the fibres of the cardboard carton, creating a secure seal.

Water-activated paper tape can be custom printed with your company’s branding, logo, colours or messaging, just like other custom tape materials.

Why choose water-activated tape?

Water-activated tape is the secure, sustainable choice for businesses looking to protect their products while reinforcing their brand. Made from durable paper and activated with water to create a permanent bond, it provides superior carton sealing, tamper-evident security, and excellent print quality for custom branding. As a plastic-free packaging solution that can be recycled alongside cardboard boxes, custom printed water-activated tape is an ideal option for companies aiming to improve both packaging performance and environmental credentials.

Strong carton seal

Once activated, the adhesive bonds to the cardboard surface to create a secure carton seal.

Tamper-evident

Removing gummed paper tape from a sealed carton can damage the cardboard or leave visible evidence of interference, making it useful for businesses concerned about package security.

Plastic-free packaging

Paper-based gummed tape provides an alternative to conventional plastic packing tapes.

Recyclable with cardboard

Unlike plastic packaging tapes, gummed paper tape is designed to be recycled with the cardboard carton.

Professional branding

Print your logo, brand colours, messaging or artwork directly onto the tape to create a consistent branded experience.

Excellent for eCommerce

Your packaging becomes part of the customer experience from the moment the parcel arrives.

Is Water-Activated Gummed Paper Tape Right for You?

Water-activated gummed paper tape is an excellent choice if you want to combine strong carton sealing, professional branding and a plastic-free packaging solution. The water-activated adhesive bonds directly to the cardboard, creating a secure seal that is particularly well suited to eCommerce, fulfilment and businesses shipping cartons regularly.

It’s also a great option if sustainability is an important part of your packaging strategy. Made from paper with a water-activated adhesive, gummed paper tape provides a paper-based alternative to conventional plastic packaging tapes and can be recycled with cardboard packaging, subject to local recycling requirements.

However, gummed paper tape isn’t necessarily the right choice for every application. Unlike standard self-adhesive tapes, it requires water activation and is normally applied using a suitable dispenser. If you need a tape that can be applied quickly without a dispenser, custom printed paper packing tape may be more suitable.

Feature Gummed/Water Activated PaperSelf-Adhesive Paper PolypropyleneVinyl
Best forFully recyclable and sustainable packagingPlastic-free packagingHigh-volume packagingPremium branding
CostFrom £6.08 per rollFrom £3.50 per rollFrom £1.86 per rollFrom £2.68 per roll
Plastic free✅ Yes – Paper based✅ Yes – Paper based❌ No❌ No
RecyclabilityFully recyclableRecycling-process friendlyRecycling-process friendlyRecycling-process friendly
Print qualityGoodGoodGoodExcellent
DurabilityGood, but lacks water-resistanceGoodHighHigh
ApplicationVia a Water bathBy hand or tape dispenserBy hand or tape dispenserBy hand or tape dispenser

Custom Printed Water-activated Gummed Paper Tape FAQs

Ordering

MOQs vary depending on roll width.

48mm = 36 rolls

72mm = 48 rolls

Yes, we can produce printed tape in a range of other sizes. The pricing shown online is based on a 48mm size, as this is by far the most popular.

Optional widths:
48mm x 200m
72mm x 200m

If you’d like a quote on the above sizes, please contact us on 01480 494540. Alternatively, please complete the form below.

Yes. If you find the same like-for-like product anywhere else, we’ll do our best to match it.

Don’t forget that with our custom printed tape, there are no hidden charges. Artwork and standard delivery is included.

You can expect delivery of your printed tape within 7-10 days of order confirmation. Please check with us first as lead times may vary, especially during busier times.

Design

Absolutely. Our team can help prepare your artwork for custom printed tape and advise on the best format, colours and print setup to achieve the best result.

Simply send us your logo, sketch, even a drawing on a napkin, and we’ll guide you through the process.

Paper tape can be printed with up to four colours and offers a very smooth finish. As a result, paper is suitable for detailed artwork, flood coating and reverse printed designs.

The maximum repeat length for any printed tape design is 502mm.

We’ll work with you anyway we can, but preferably, and for the best quality, we ask that artwork is supplied in a Vector Graphic AI/Eps file or a high resolution PDF (1MB or above).

We find that printing to Pantones gives us the best final finish. We’re happy to work with you and convert the CMYK, HEX or RAL to the closest Pantone.

Unfortunately, due to the setup and clean down times of all our print machinery, we’re unable to mix different designs within the same MOQ or order run.

Choosing the right material

Custom printed water-activated gummed paper tape is a paper-based packaging tape with a water-activated adhesive, printed with your logo, brand colours or bespoke artwork. Once moistened, the adhesive bonds securely to cardboard cartons, providing a strong, professional seal.

Water-activated tape is usually applied using a water bath dispenser.

Think of a water bath as licking a stamp. You need to moisten the adhesive before it becomes sticky.

The key advantage of water-activated paper tape is that it’s 100% recyclable, biodegradable and compostable. Furthermore, it offers an effective alternative to plastic-based packing tapes.

  • 100% recyclable, biodegradable and compostable
  • Plastic-free
  • Excellent print quality
  • Premium look and feel
  • Durable
  • Easy to use
  • Easy to tear by hand
  • Printable up to four colours

Printed paper tape is ideal for carton sealing and general packaging. It’s quick-grab adhesive (once wet) is suitable for both traditional and recycled boxes. Moreover, paper tape can be difficult to remove without leaving evidence of tampering. As a result, it can increase the security of your packaging and help deter thieves.

Printed paper tape is classed as moisture-resistant. Unfortunately, it is not 100% waterproof. If you’d like a tape with increased resistance to water and moisture, we’d recommend vinyl or polypropylene printed tape.

As standard, our rolls are produced onto 72mm cores. We can also supply cores in a variety of different sizes to accommodate standard tape guns and packing machinery.

No. Due to the water-activated adhesive, gummed paper tape is not waterproof. Custom Printed Vinyl Packing Tape, or Custom Printed Polypropylene Packing Tape would be a more water-resistant alterative.

Gummed tape uses a water-activated adhesive, so it needs to be moistened before application, typically using a water bath tape dispenser. In contrast, Self-adhesive paper packing tape can be applied directly from the roll without water.

Both provide a paper-based alternative to plastic packing tape. However, water-activated paper tape has the added benefit of being fully recyclable.

How to Order Custom Water-activated Paper Tape

Ordering your custom printed packing tape is straightforward.

1. Choose your tape

Select your roll quantity, tape width and number of print colours.

2. Send us your artwork

Upload your logo or artwork, or ask our design team to help create your tape design. We also have a selection of downloadable templates to help get you started.

3. Approve your design

We’ll work with you to make sure your artwork is ready for production.

4. We print your tape

Your custom printed polypropylene tape is produced to your approved design.

5. Receive your order

Delivery is typically within 7–10 days of order confirmation, although lead times can vary during busy periods.

Need help choosing? Speak to our print team and we’ll help you select the right tape for your packaging requirements.

Download a template

Click your preferred format below

Let us design it for you

Hi, I’m Millie,

We are a family run business with traditional family values. If you need some help with your design, just give me a call.

Tel (UK): 01480 494540
Email: millie@lemark.co.uk

Send us your artwork

If you have your artwork ready, please email it to print@lemark.co.uk and we’ll get right on it.

KNOWLEDGE HUB

Printed paper tape used for sustainable packaging and branding as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic packaging tape.

Reduce the plastic in our world

Learn how using paper tape can reduce the plastics in our world.

Comparison of poly and vinyl printed tape materials showing different custom printed packaging tape options.

Millie talks Poly vs Vinyl

Learn the key differences between vinyl and polypropylene printed tape. 

Custom printed tape design example showing branded artwork, logo placement and packaging tape design options.

Callie’s design tips for printed tape

Make the most of your printed tape with design tips from Callie.

Request an official quote and start your design

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Talk to a Human

Millie

Millie Tregunno
Print & Bespoke Products Lead

Tel: 01480 494540
Email: millie@lemark.co.uk

View my bio

Real humans you can talk to.

Computers and online design tools are good, but sometimes you just want to talk to a real person. Whether you have a simple question, or would like some help designing your custom tape, we’re only a phone call away.

Annabelle Wells

Print Sales Coordinator

Tel: 01480 494540
Email: annabelle.wells@lemark.co.uk

View my bio
Millie

Millie Tregunno

Print & Bespoke Products Lead

Tel: 01480 494540
Email: millie@lemark.co.uk

View my bio