Tamper evident tape
Paper Tamper Evident Tape
Permanent tamper evident tape made with FSC certified paper, for boxes, cartons and pallets.
A paper based security tape for businesses moving away from plastic packaging tape, without giving up clear, irreversible tamper evidence.
Tamper behaviour
What happens when the tape is removed
The tape leaves a clear void message on the carton when it is removed, which cannot be resealed or realigned. The message can be customised with a logo, wording, QR code or other security features.
01
Applied and sealed
Self adhesive paper tape is applied to the carton and is easy to tear by hand.
02
Removal attempted
Any attempt to lift or peel the tape separates the layers of the construction.
03
Evidence revealed
A permanent void message is left on the carton and on the tape.
▶VideoPaper tamper evident tape
Shows 100% paper tamper evident tape being applied and the message left in the paper fibre when it is removed.
Watch on YouTube ↗Why paper
Security and paper packaging together
FSC certified paper
The paper used is FSC certified, from responsibly managed sources.
Fits paper packaging
Integrates with cardboard packaging where businesses are removing plastic tape.
Clear tamper evidence
A void message is left on the carton on removal, with custom message options.
Easy to use
Self adhesive and easy to tear by hand, with no extra tools needed.
Adheres to recycled board
Formulated to hold on various grades of cardboard, including recycled and rougher surfaces.
Machine compatible
Runs on carton sealing machines and automated tape dispensers.
Construction and specification
Specification, formats and customisation
Materials and construction
| Base material | Paper based tape made using FSC certified paper. |
|---|---|
| Tamper construction | Permanent. Removal transfers a void message to the carton. |
| Tamper message | Void message, customisable with wording, logo, QR code or other security features. |
| Surfaces | Cardboard cartons, including recycled, porous and rougher textured board. |
| Formats | Various widths and lengths, from small product boxes to large shipping cartons. |
Customisable options
Certification status
The paper used is FSC certified, so it comes from responsibly managed sources. The finished product does not yet hold FSC Chain of Custody certification. Registration and certification are in progress and this page will be updated when that is complete.
When to choose film instead
Paper tape is designed to withstand everyday handling. For particularly heavy duty packaging applications, a filmic tape from the tamper evident tape range may be the better choice.
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DR 8794 Red Paper Overt Tamper Evident Box Tape
Price range: £16.95 through £2,941.92 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
DR 8697 Green Paper Covert Tamper Evident Box Tape
Price range: £16.95 through £2,941.92 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
DR8696 Blue Paper Tamper Evident Box Tape with Finger Lift – 30mm x 50m
Price range: £11.90 through £1,944.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
DR8797 Brown Paper Tamper Evident Box Tape – 50.8mm x 50m
Price range: £16.95 through £2,941.92 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Applications
Where paper tamper evident tape is used
Logistics and dispatch
Outer cartons and cases sealed for transit, where the carton is recycled at the far end.
Retail and e-commerce
Outbound orders and returns in paper based packaging.
Pharmaceutical and healthcare
Sealing cartons where access has to be evidenced.
Food and delivery
Delivery boxes and recipe boxes sealed with visible opening evidence.
Packaging and contract packing
Standard paper sealing tape across mixed customer work.
Application and integration
Applying by hand or on the line
Hand application
Easy to tear by hand, applied with a standard dispenser at pack and dispatch.
Automated packing lines
Integrates with carton sealing machines and automated tape dispensers.
Roll formats
Width and roll length specified to suit the carton and the machine.
See also paper tamper evidence across the range, and paper tamper evident labels where a label is a better fit than tape.
Selection, testing and limits
Choosing paper tape, testing it and what it does not prove
Paper is the carrier, not the mechanism. The tamper evidence comes from the security message revealed when the tape is removed — the fibre is what makes it a paper-stream pack.
When paper tape is the right choice
- The outer carton has to stay in one paper recycling stream and a film carrier would compromise that.
- Packaging policy or a customer specification calls for a paper-based outer seal.
- Hand sealing is the norm and easy tear without a blade is useful on the pack bench.
- You want the seal to read as part of a plain, unbranded paper outer rather than announce the contents.
When to choose a film construction
- The pack meets prolonged moisture, wash-down or wet handling — a film tape is the more predictable carrier.
- A case sealer or automated head is running self-wound film and changing carrier is not practical.
- You need the widest choice of standard widths, lengths and stock colours.
- The seal is not a carton closure at all — labels suit doors, totes, cassettes and small packs better.
What to test before you commit
- Test on your actual board grade, including recycled kraft, and on any printed or varnished area.
- Allow your real dwell time, then attempt removal and confirm the message appears as expected.
- Check hand tear, dispenser feed and edge behaviour with the gloves and pace your team uses.
- Confirm the message stays legible against brown or dark board before the specification is fixed.
What tamper evidence does not prove
- It evidences interference with the seal, not the accuracy or condition of the contents.
- Removal evidence is only useful if someone is asked to check it and record the result at receipt.
- Paper construction is a recycling and handling decision; it is not, on its own, a higher level of security.
- These are tamper-evident tapes, not tamper-proof: the point is a clear, checkable signal.
Questions
Paper tamper evident tape FAQs
What are tamper evident paper tapes?
Security tapes made using FSC certified paper, designed to reveal clear evidence of tampering. When the tape is removed it leaves a permanent void message or tamper evident pattern behind.
Does the tape work on low quality or recycled cardboard?
Yes. The tape is formulated to adhere securely to various grades of cardboard, including recycled and lower quality surfaces. Even on porous or rough textured board it maintains adhesion and tamper evident behaviour.
Can the tape be integrated into automated packing lines?
Yes. It is designed to run in automated packing lines, including carton sealing machines and automated tape dispensers, without slowing the packing process.
Which industries use it?
Logistics, retail, pharmaceuticals, electronics and food delivery, to protect products from tampering, theft or counterfeiting in transit and storage.
Can it help with loss prevention?
Yes. Tamper evident tape helps reduce shrinkage from theft and shows that products have remained sealed through the supply chain.
Is it available in different sizes?
Yes, in various widths and lengths, from small product boxes through to large shipping cartons.
Is the paper FSC certified?
The paper is FSC certified, from responsibly managed sources. The finished product does not yet hold FSC Chain of Custody certification. Registration and certification are in progress and we will update this once complete.
Next step
Specify your paper tape
Need samples or a quotation?
Tell us the carton, the sealing method and the volume and we will send samples and a quotation.
Not sure what will work on your pack?
Put it through the Security Lab. Send us the pack and the problem and our technical team will specify the tape with you.
Whether you need technical advice, product information, quotes or support, our team is here to help.
Talk to Our Team
Get in touch today
📍 Address: Tamper Technologies Ltd,
The Oaks, Moor Farm Road West,
Airfield Industrial Estate,
Ashbourne, Derbyshire,
DE6 1HD, United Kingdom.
📞 Phone +44 (0) 1335 300335
💬 WhatsApp +44 (0) 7528 477703
✉️ Email sales@tampertech.com
Where to look next
Paper is the carrier; the VOID reveal is the mechanism. To compare paper against the other constructions, see the tamper evident tape range. For the wider packaging build, see tamper evident packaging for packaging and contract packing.