How Water-Activated Tape Enhances Package Security and Reduces Tampering
Most companies think their packages are securely sealed until one arrives empty. A box showing up with missing items points to a single point of failure. It almost always starts with the tape.
When a seal breaks, the consequences are immediate. The first loss is financial, covering the direct cost of replacing stolen or damaged goods. The second loss is customer trust. A tampered package erodes a customer’s confidence in the brand, and they blame the seller, not just the shipper. This leads to operational headaches dealing with claims, returns, and unhappy customers.
The problem isn’t the box; it’s the seal. Water-activated tape (WAT) solves this. It doesn’t just stick to a carton; it bonds with it, creating a permanent seal that eliminates the vulnerabilities of standard plastic tape.
The security comes from its simple chemistry. The adhesive on WAT is a starch-based glue. When activated by water, this adhesive liquefies and penetrates the corrugated fibers of the box. As it dries, it creates a permanent, fiber-to-fiber bond that fuses the tape to the carton. This is completely different from plastic tape, which only sticks to the surface and can be peeled off.
Tamper-Evidence in Practice
The primary security benefit is that WAT cannot be removed cleanly. Any attempt to peel the tape off will cause obvious, irreparable damage to the box surface. A thief cannot remove the tape, take the contents, and reapply it without leaving behind clear evidence of tampering.
The integrated fiberglass reinforcement in many WAT grades adds another layer of security. This scrim makes the tape incredibly difficult to tear or puncture. It prevents “punch-through” theft, where someone might cut a small hole in the tape to access the contents inside.
Together, these features act as a powerful deterrent. Opportunistic thieves look for easy targets. A box sealed with reinforced water-activated tape is not an easy target, so they are far more likely to simply move on.
Is It Worth the Switch?
The upfront cost of WAT is a small price for total risk mitigation. Businesses are used to plastic tape, but the cost of one lost high-value shipment or one angry customer is far greater than the marginal cost difference. The switch is an investment in security.
The Bottom Line
Package security isn’t about hoping your shipments make it through intact. It’s about eliminating the weak point before it becomes a problem. Water-activated tape transforms your packaging from a vulnerability into a defense system. The bond is permanent, the tampering is obvious, and the message to thieves is clear: move on to an easier target.
Every package that leaves your facility carries your reputation with it. Make sure it arrives the way you sent it.
Contact us at 1-800-345-0492 or request a quote online to learn how water-activated tape can secure your shipments.