ADHESIVE AND DECORATIVE SELF-ADHESIVE TAPES

Characteristics of Adhesive Tape

Adhesive tape, commonly known as tape, is a self-adhesive strip composed of several main layers. The first is the base layer — the carrier. It is usually made of PVC film, BOPP film, propylene, paper, or fabric.

The carrier layer determines the tape’s resistance to mechanical stress. The thicker it is, the heavier the packages it can securely hold.

The second layer is the adhesive layer. The adhesives used in tape manufacturing are typically of three main types:

• Natural rubber–based adhesive — suitable for bonding all kinds of materials such as paper, cardboard, metal, nylon, plastic, and more.
• Synthetic rubber–based adhesive — recommended for use in warm environments.
• Water-based adhesive — used for packaging fast-moving consumer goods and has a relatively short shelf life.

The main purpose of adhesive tape is for packaging, joining, and securing various parcels and loads.

To choose the right tape, consider the purpose for which you will use it — the size, weight, and surface texture of the objects you will be packaging. If the surface is rough or ribbed, the tape can tear easily, risking damage to the packaged items.

 

Characteristics of Adhesive Strips and Velcro

In addition to standard adhesive tape, there are other types of adhesive materials available in the form of strips or dots. They are similar to regular tape but are denser and more durable.

Adhesive strips can be single-sided or double-sided. Double-sided ones are coated with adhesive on both sides, allowing two surfaces to be joined together. They come in various widths — narrow and wide.

Velcro is a strip with one abrasive surface, designed for fastening clothes, bags, and shoes by connecting two parts that stick together. It is made primarily of polyester and is available in various colors. This fastening system was invented in Switzerland in 1951.

 

Applications

1. Reusable adhesive pads

Reusable adhesive pads have a wide range of applications. They are suitable for attaching hooks, holders, and soap dishes in bathrooms. They are extremely strong and can hold the weight of the attached objects.

They can also be used to hang reminder notes, posters, or announcements on bulletin boards. These pads are very convenient for repeated use — the adhesive layer does not wear out easily and has a long lifespan.

They are often used in schools and private learning centers by teachers during lessons or interactive classroom games.

Reusable adhesive pads are also great for decorating various festive events. You can easily attach hanging decorations and later remove and reuse them for the next celebration.

They can also be used during renovation or construction work to temporarily hold building materials in place.

 

2. Breathable masking tape

Breathable paper tape is suitable for packaging, masking, sealing, bandaging, and fixing various items and materials. It can be used on paper, cardboard, wood, plastic, metal, glass, Styrofoam, ceramics, and more.

Its main advantage is that it is breathable, allowing packaged products to stay dry and preventing moisture buildup. Thanks to this property, it can be used for storing and transporting food items or objects that need ventilation.

This tape can be applied on corners, straight or curved surfaces, and is also used in construction for indoor and outdoor wall and ceiling painting. It is also popular for various art projects.

 

3. Velcro

Velcro is used in the creation of textile products. With it, you can make unique:

• Bags

If you are a fan of handmade accessories and enjoy crafting, Velcro can be very useful.

Start by planning the design of your bag — its shape, pocket placement, number of handles, handle length, and overall size. Velcro strips can be used for fastening the inner pockets of the bag. It is a soft and convenient material to use.

When placed inside the bag, Velcro will not cause any discomfort. On the contrary, it allows you to easily open and close the pockets. You can use it not only for inner pockets but also for the main closure of the bag or any additional external pockets.

It comes in different colors, so you can easily choose a fastening strip that matches your bag’s design.

 

• Wallets

Wallets are one of our favorite everyday accessories. However, factory-installed buttons often come loose and need repair.

Velcro is a great option for fastening wallets, especially for sporty models made of fabric or nylon. You can easily repair a damaged closure by sewing on a Velcro strip.

 

• Belts

Some types of belts use Velcro straps for fastening — for example, waist belts, dance belts, and children’s belts.

This type of closure is very convenient, as the adhesive strips are soft and barely noticeable under clothing. Velcro is a durable and resilient material that can be sewn or glued onto all kinds of fabrics, such as cotton, polyester, wool, nylon, silk, and linen.

 

• Coats and jackets fastening

In clothing production, Velcro strips are frequently used. They can be round, square, or rectangular in shape.

They are attached to fasten jackets, coats, and cardigans. This fastening method is strong, comfortable, and easy to use. Velcro is most commonly applied on winter jackets because it can be fastened easily, even while wearing gloves. Buttons, on the other hand, are harder to close, and zippers can be inconvenient in cold weather.

 

• Shoe fastening

Velcro straps are also used for fastening shoes. You have certainly seen shoes or sandals that close this way. The system is very convenient, and the presence of a longer self-adhesive strap allows adjustment of the shoe’s width.

Velcro is commonly used in children’s shoes. It is soft, comfortable, and suitable for the delicate feet of young children, allowing them to fasten their shoes by themselves.

Velcro shoes are very practical because they close quickly, have no laces that constantly come undone or need to be tied, and are therefore ideal for children who have not yet learned to tie shoelaces.

 

• Cards and invitations

Aside from fashion, Velcro is also used in crafting cards and invitations. Some hobbyists prefer to use self-adhesive Velcro strips to create invitations that can easily open and close.

The back side of Velcro strips is coated with adhesive, making them easy to attach to paper or cardboard surfaces. Thanks to the variety of available colors, you can easily choose a Velcro strip that matches the color of your handmade creations.

 

4. Double-sided transparent tape

Double-sided tape has a wide range of applications. It is used in various creative projects such as making invitations, cards, mixed media, and decoupage.

It is also suitable for creating festive decorations. You can use it to attach garlands, hanging ornaments, or make interesting paper figurines.

Double-sided tape is also used in construction for joining different materials such as cardboard, metal, plastic, and wood. It is extremely strong and convenient to use under various conditions.

 

5. Self-adhesive pad

A self-adhesive pad is used for fixing objects onto surfaces. For example, you can use it to secure a night lamp on a child’s bedside table so it doesn’t get knocked over.

It is also used in construction and renovation work for temporarily or permanently fixing various materials and elements.

With self-adhesive pads, you can attach all kinds of materials — cardboard, paper, textiles, glass, metal, ceramics, or wood. They are ideal for covering imperfections on walls, furniture, and objects. If you want to conceal something, simply stick the pad to the surface and paint or decorate over it.

They are also used in mixed media projects, where different shapes and materials are glued onto a single base.

 

6. Permanent adhesive roller

A permanent adhesive roller is a type of adhesive tape enclosed in a compact, easy-to-use plastic casing.

The amount of tape dispensed is controlled by a mechanism inside the case — either through a sliding button or light pressure on the adhesive surface.

The roller is used for gluing small elements onto cardboard, paper, plastic, glass, metal, concrete, Styrofoam, or polyurethane. It allows you to easily attach cutouts, appliqués, and fabric or paper shapes.

The adhesive roller is fast and convenient to use — it requires no drying time, has no odor, and provides excellent adhesion.

It’s ideal for making cards, invitations, posters, and scrapbooking projects. The plastic case protects the tape and makes it easy to handle for long-term use.

With a gentle press on the surface you want to glue, you can apply as long a strip of adhesive as needed. One of the advantages of this type of tape is that it requires no scissors or knife — you can start and stop applying it simply by hand movement.

The adhesive roller is suitable for both permanent and temporary bonding of various materials to different surfaces. It can also be used for fixing hooks, soap dishes, and small holders.

The only important condition is to make sure the surface is clean and free of grease before applying, so the tape can adhere firmly and hold the attached object securely.

 

7. Double-sided adhesive dots

Double-sided adhesive dots are extremely convenient. They can be used by students for various school projects that involve attaching notes, images, and other materials.

They are also suitable for making cards, invitations, and scrapbooking projects. These dots can be used to stick small decorative elements onto different surfaces such as paper, plastic, concrete, or glass.

Adhesive dots are also useful for creating collages. In the visual arts, collage is a technique in which different fragments form a unified composition. It often includes newspaper and magazine cutouts, labels, colored papers, photographs, and book pages.

The collage technique is based on layering and may also include drawings, hand-drawn texts, shapes, and forms, as well as various painting techniques.

Collages are usually intended to be displayed on walls or shelves, much like photo frames that hold our cherished memories.

Various types of adhesives can be used for creating collages, depending on the artist’s preference. Double-sided adhesive dots are a great option for this purpose.

They make it easy to attach any photo, magazine or newspaper clipping, text, or decorative element to a cardboard base. These dots are very convenient because, unlike liquid glue, they require no drying time and are easy to apply.

Simply remove the protective film from one side of the dot, stick it to the base, then peel off the film from the other side and attach the element you wish to glue.

This is a great idea for those who love making collages — you’ll see how quickly and easily you can assemble your creative project with all your photos and decorations.

 

8. Binder tape

Binder tape is another useful material for joining two surfaces together.

It is available in both circle and strip forms, allowing you to choose the most suitable type for your needs.

Binder tapes are used in applied arts for attaching elements to cards, notebooks, albums, and in various craft projects, collages, and festive decorations — for example, for Christmas, New Year, Valentine’s Day, birthdays, name days, Easter, St. George’s Day, and more.

They can easily bond materials such as paper, cardboard, fabric, plastic, Styrofoam, and metal to surfaces made from various materials.

These tapes feature strong adhesive that can withstand pressure and environmental conditions.

Regardless of which adhesive product you choose, it’s important to clean the surfaces before gluing and make sure they are dry and free from dust or grease.

This ensures a stronger and more durable adhesion between the connected materials.

The variety of tapes and adhesive strips is extremely large. You can choose from different widths and thicknesses depending on your specific needs. Select the adhesive product that best fits the purpose of your project.

 

Why Choose EM ART?

EM ART is the most comprehensive online store for craft materials. Here you will find everything you need for your creativity — all kinds of crafting tools, beads, various types of paper and cardboard, jewelry accessories, decorative materials, and gift-wrapping supplies at affordable prices.

All items are made from high-quality and safe materials.

We frequently offer discounts on selected products, which all our customers can take advantage of.

You can shop both retail and wholesale. Wholesale buyers benefit from special discounted prices.

 

Delivery

Once you’ve selected the craft materials you need, please enter your personal details — full name, contact phone number, and the address where you would like to receive your order.

Your package will arrive within 4 business days.

For orders over 100 BGN, delivery is completely free.

If you have any questions, you can contact our online consultants, available every day from Monday to Saturday, from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM, and on Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Let yourself be inspired and bring your most unique ideas to life!

 

See all adhesive tapes and decorative strips HERE