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Description | Types
| Liner/Adhesive Width | Limitations
| PS Tape Council
Description
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Pressure Sensitive (PS) tape
may be applied to the front or back of various single sheet products
including one part forms, mailers, labels, and inventory tags. The
PS tape consists of a liner which covers a double sided adhesive and
is wound into large rolls. The rolls are placed on presses so that
single sheet products can have the tape applied as they are being
printed. The adhesive side of the tape is applied to the front or
back of the single sheet. When the customer is ready to use the document,
the liner material is removed from the tape to expose the adhesive
allowing the product to be attached to another form, a carton, a plastic
container, or numerous other items.
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Types
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There are several types and sizes
of PS tape that are available:
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Removable: Single sheets with removable PS
tape can be adhered to objects and then removed without leaving adhesive
residue and without damage to the object. Removable PS tape may not
adhere properly to some objects. Typical applications include one
part forms, mailers, and envelopes. Removable tape is suitable for
applications that require only short term adhesion.
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Permanent: Applications with permanent adhesive
may be removed from objects, but the adhesive is much stronger than
removable. It may leave some adhesive residue behind and cause some
damage if the sheet with PS tape is removed from the form or object
it has been applied to it. Applications that are suitable for permanent
tape are one part forms, signs, posters, direct mail pieces, and permanent
attachment of labels.
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Double Coated: The adhesive on double coated
tape is even stronger than on permanent tape and it is useful where
there may be more dust or fibers on objects. For example, you may
need to apply an inventory tag onto a carton in a warehouse. Other
applications may include posters, signs, tags, labels, and one part
forms.
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Freezer Grade: Freezer grade is a permanent
type of transfer tape that is designed to withstand temperatures to
-40°F. It is best suited for paper to paper or paper to carton
applications in environments that are continuously below freezing.
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Heavy Duty: A permanent tape that is used
for single sheet products that are manufactured with the heaviest
paper and board stock. Some applications include heavy posters. signs,
and promotional display pieces. It works well when adhesion must occur
on uneven surfaces.
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Liner/Adhesive Width
An important point to remember about PS tape is that the actual
adhesive area is not as wide as the full width of the tape liner as shown in
the illustration at the top right of this page. For example, a 1/2" permanent
tape has an adhesive that is 5/16" wide. The width of the adhesive needs
to be considered when planning a project, especially if a specific width of
adhesive is required. The table below lists the actual adhesive width of the
most commonly used tapes.
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Liner Width
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1/2"
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3/4"
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1"
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1-1/2"
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2"
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3"
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Adhesive Width
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Type
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Removable
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5/16"
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9/16"
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13/16"
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Permanent
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5/16"
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9/16"
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13/16"
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1-1/4"
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1-3/4"
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2-3/4"
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Double Coated
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1/4"
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1/2"
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3/4"
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Freezer Grade
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3/4"
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Heavy Duty
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1/4"
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1/2"
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3/4"
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1-1/4"
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1-3/4"
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Limitations
There may be some limitations in the way PS tape is applied
to single sheet products. Some examples include:
- The tape cannot be applied perpendicular to the direction that the paper
goes through a web press. It may be possible for the manufacturer to apply
the tape in a perpendicular direction with an offline process, but this may
substantially increase the price of the form.
- It may not be possible to apply tape to the back of a sheet which has numbering
on the front, if the tape application and numbering are applied at the same
time that the sheet is being printed at a web press. The tape or the numbering
could be applied offline, but this would increase the cost of the finished
piece.
- PS tape cannot be applied diagonally.
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Note: Consult your supplier for the limitations
that they may have with the application of Pressure Sensitive tape.
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PS Tape Council
A valuable resource for additional information on PS tape
is the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council. The organization was developed to serve
tape manufacturers, but there are a number of resources available to non-members
including technical articles and links to transfer tape manufacturers. Click
the link for more information: Pressure
Sensitive Tape Council.
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