- Custom printed tape is roll-fed paper or plastic tape rotary-printed with a continuous repeat of your logo, message or brand pattern.
- One printed tape design brands every blank corrugated box size in your warehouse without paying for separate printed cartons.
- Minimums depend on the product; we confirm yours with your quote, with 10-14 business day turnaround and 4-5 day rush.
- CubitPack includes free design help, zero printing plate fees, guaranteed Pantone matching, a digital proof plus 3D mockup before payment, and free US shipping.
Custom Printed Tape
Custom printed tape repeats your logo, tagline, QR code or pattern along every roll to turn plain shipping cartons into branded deliveries. Order paper or plastic rolls printed in 1 Pantone, 2 Pantone or full color CMYK with guaranteed Pantone matching and no plate charges. Minimums depend on the product; we confirm yours with your quote. Ships free in 10-14 business days.
What is custom printed tape?
Custom printed tape is roll-fed carton-sealing tape printed with a repeating sequence of your brand logo, typography, website handle, seasonal artwork or handling icons. Instead of ordering custom-printed corrugated boxes for ten different carton dimensions, growing e-commerce and wholesale brands stock plain brown or white cartons and apply a strip of custom printed tape across the top flap seam so every parcel arrives unmistakably branded. You choose the base carrier (natural brown kraft paper, bright white paper or plastic film), the roll width and yardage, the repeat spacing between logos, and 1 Pantone, 2 Pantone or full color CMYK ink. At CubitPack, minimums depend on the product and are confirmed on your quote, standard turnaround is 10-14 business days (rush 4-5 days), and design help, plates and shipping to all 50 states are free.
Printed tape facts
- Minimum
- Confirmed on quote
- Turnaround
- 10-14 business days
- Rush
- 4-5 days, quoted
- Presets
- 36, 72, 144, 288 rolls
- Ink options
- 1 Pantone, 2 Pantone, Full color (CMYK)
- Carriers
- Paper tape, plastic tape
- Dimensions
- Width (in) × Roll length (yd)
- Plates & setup
- Zero plate charges, free repeat layout
- Shipping
- Free to all 50 states
Should I choose 1 Pantone, 2 Pantone, reverse flood coat or full color CMYK?
| Print style | How the ink is applied | Best artwork type | Visual effect on the box |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Pantone positive print | Single spot ink printed onto kraft, white or clear tape | Bold wordmarks, monograms, icons and minimalist logos | Natural kraft or white tape shows around your logo |
| 2 Pantone positive print | Two registered spot inks with guaranteed PMS match | Logo mark in one color paired with a contrasting tagline | Sharp two-tone identity without four-color process setup |
| Reverse flood-coat knockout | Solid Pantone ink floods the surface; base tape forms text | High-impact colored brand stripes and bold banners | Turns the entire strip into your signature brand color |
| Full color (CMYK) print | Four-color process printing across white paper or plastic | Multi-color illustrations, gradients and detailed badges | Full graphic ribbon across the top seam of plain cartons |
Not sure which style fits?
Request a Quote →What roll size and logo repeat interval do I need for custom printed tape?
Every printed tape roll combines a roll width (in inches) and roll length (in yards) with a step-and-repeat interval, which is the distance from one printed logo to the next along the strip. Shorter 6 to 9 inch repeats ensure small boxes show at least two complete logos across the top seam. Whether you are comparing printed logo tape, branded packing tape with logo, custom logo shipping tape, pantone printed carton tape or step and repeat printed tape, we size the template to your exact container.
| Roll size (W × L) | Recommended logo repeat | Best carton length | Typical application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in × 55 yd | 6 in repeat (1 in gap) | Small boxes (6 to 10 in long) | Compact e-commerce parcels and handheld tape guns |
| 2 in × 110 yd | 8 in or 9 in repeat | Medium boxes (10 to 16 in long) | High-volume handheld dispenser stations |
| 2.75 in × 150 yd | 9 in repeat | Standard RSC cartons (12 to 18 in long) | Water-activated paper tape for subscription and retail orders |
| 3 in × 150 yd | 9 in or 12 in repeat | Large cartons (16 to 24 in long) | Wide logo banner on water-activated reinforced or paper tape |
| 3 in × 200 yd | 12 in repeat | Wholesale master cases (20+ in long) | Long-run warehouse fulfillment and pallet cartons |
Have your inside dimensions ready? Request pricing across up to 3 quantities.
Request a Quote →How do I choose printed tape?
- Pick brown kraft, white or clear base tapeBrown kraft blends into natural shipping cartons so your ink looks printed on the box; white base tape makes bright Pantone colors pop with maximum contrast.
- Select 1 Pantone, 2 Pantone or CMYK inkMost brands pick 1 or 2 Pantone colors for crisp spot-color logos, or full color CMYK when the artwork includes shading, gradients or three or more colors.
- Decide between positive print and flood coatPositive printing leaves the paper or film background open around your logo; flood coating prints a solid color band with your logo knocked out in white or kraft.
- Match repeat length to your shortest boxKeep your logo plus gap under 8 or 9 inches if you ship 10 inch boxes, so every cut strip displays a complete, unclipped logo right on top.
- Leave ¼ inch quiet margins at the top and bottom edgesKeeping text ¼ inch inside the slit edges of a 2 inch or 3 inch roll prevents lettering from drifting off the edge as the web tracks on press.
- Upload your logo or AI concept for a free mockupSend a vector file, PNG or AI image and our prepress team builds the step-and-repeat cylinder layout, digital proof and 3D mockup for free.
What are printed tape made of?
Which finishes can printed tape have?
What packaging extras pair well with custom printed tape?
Printed tape specifications
| Spec | Options |
|---|---|
| Printing colors | 1 Pantone, 2 Pantone, Full color (CMYK); Pantone color match guaranteed |
| Tape carriers | Paper tape (natural kraft or white) and plastic tape |
| Roll width & length | Width in inches (e.g., 2 in, 2.75 in, 3 in) × Length in yards (e.g., 55 yd, 110 yd, 150 yd, 200 yd) |
| Repeat intervals | Continuous custom logo and pattern repeat printed along the length of the roll |
| White ink & flood coats | Full-color CMYK, Pantone spot colors and white ink on brown or white kraft and film tape |
| Quantity presets | 36 rolls, 72 rolls, 144 rolls, 288 rolls; minimums depend on the product and are confirmed with your quote |
| Plates & artwork setup | Zero printing plate or die fees; free design help and step-and-repeat layout |
| Proofs & samples | Free digital proof and 3D mockup before payment; $50 sample kit or paid sample credited to order |
| Turnaround & shipping | 10-14 business days (rush 4-5 business days); free shipping to all 50 US states, worldwide DDP available |
Ready to quote your printed tape? Compare up to 3 quantities with a free 3D mockup.
Request a Quote →How do brands use custom printed tape to upgrade plain boxes?
Custom printed tape is the most flexible branding tool in a fulfillment warehouse because a single roll design adapts to every box length on your shelf. Tell us whether you want a clean corporate logo strip, a bold color band, or a seasonal campaign message so we set up the right repeat layout and ink contrast.
Printed tape design ideas
Example designs with made-up brands. Your packaging is made to your design.
What are the most common custom printed tape artwork mistakes?
Most printed tape issues come from artwork designed like a static banner rather than a repeating ribbon. Avoid these five mistakes. When specifying tape with logo, branded tape, wholesale tape, bulk custom tape and personalized tape, avoid these common production mistakes
- Making the logo repeat loop 18 inches long on 10 inch boxes, which cuts the logo in half on every parcel.
- Placing text right against the top and bottom slit edges without a ¼ inch quiet margin, risking clipped letters.
- Using tiny 5 pt serif text or hairlines inside a reverse flood coat, where surrounding ink can fill in.
- Printing pale yellow or pastel ink directly onto dark brown kraft paper without a white base.
- Assuming a continuous edge-to-edge background pattern can be any arbitrary length instead of matching a cylinder circumference.
Chat with a designer now
Share your logo, a sketch or an AI image. We'll rebuild every element cleanly onto your box dieline and send a 3D mockup, free.
Made your design with AI?
Generated a concept in Google Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude or Midjourney? Send us your AI image: we rebuild every element onto your box dieline and show you a 3D mockup before you pay, free.Custom printed tape on plain boxes vs custom printed shipping cartons: how do they compare?
| Custom printed boxes or other tape suppliers | Custom printed tape from CubitPack | |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-box flexibility | Custom-printed boxes only fit one exact L × W × H product dimension per SKU | One roll of custom printed tape brands small, medium and large blank cartons alike |
| Warehouse shelf space | Storing printed boxes for seasonal campaigns ties up pallet racks | A 36-roll or 72-roll case of printed tape sits on one shelf corner |
| Plate & setup fees | Many tape printers add separate per-color charges for flexo printing plates | CubitPack never charges printing plate or setup fees on any order |
| Color consistency | Generic CMYK approximations that drift between batches | Guaranteed Pantone (PMS) color matching to match your tissue and labels |
| Artwork preparation | You have to calculate rotary cylinder circumference and seam gaps yourself | Free step-and-repeat layout, digital proof and 3D mockup before payment |
Get custom printed tape sized to your product, with a free 3D mockup before you pay.
Request a Quote →Are printed tape safe and sustainable?
FSC paper and ISO 9001 partner production
FSC-certified paper carriers and ISO 9001 partner production are available on request. Ask your account manager if your brand requires chain-of-custody certificates.Rub-resistant inks for parcel sorting
Printed tape runs through conveyor rollers and delivery bins. Tell us if your cartons ship in humid or cold conditions so we pair the right carrier and ink system.Prepress check on fine lines and QR codes
Before printing, our prepress specialists check that small text, reverse knockouts and QR codes have enough line weight to print cleanly without filling in.How do I order custom printed tape?
Tell us what you need
Size, quantities or AI conceptCompare volume pricing
Dedicated account managerApprove your proof
Digital proof + 3D mockupMade and shipped
Free to all 50 statesHow much does custom printed tape cost?
The price depends on four things, and every custom quote is free.
Ink color count (1 Pantone, 2 Pantone or CMYK)
1 Pantone spot color is the lowest-cost print setup; 2 Pantone and CMYK add ink stationsPositive print vs flood coat
Standard positive logos use light ink coverage; 100% flood-coated backgrounds use more inkRoll width, yardage and carrier
Width (2 in vs 3 in), roll length (55 yd to 200 yd) and paper vs plastic set base roll costTotal roll quantity
Ordering 72, 144 or 288 rolls lowers the unit price per roll compared to 36 rollsFor the most budget-friendly branded parcel, print a bold 1 Pantone logo on kraft or white tape with an open background, and compare three roll quantities (36, 72 and 144 rolls) on Step 1 of the quote form. You never pay plate fees, your first order gets 10% off, and we beat any written US competitor quote for identical specs. Buyers ordering custom size tape, seasonal, holiday tape or branded fragile warnings tape can compare up to three quantities in one quote.
10% off your first order.
Request a Quote →What do I need to send for a quote?
- The product and how many you need
- The inside size, or what goes in it
- A style, or ask us to suggest one
- Your logo or artwork (an AI image is fine)
- Pantone codes, if you have them
- Delivery ZIP code and the date you need it
Can I see a sample first?
Sample kit
Board and finish swatches, sample boxes, labels and bags. Credited to your first order.Digital proof + 3D mockup
See it before you payPrinted sample
Of your own designHow does shipping work?
- Free shipping to all 50 states
- Worldwide with DDP prices: duties and taxes included
- Blind and split shipping
- Damaged in transit? We reprint the damaged units free
Why brands choose CubitPack
Dedicated specialist
One account manager from quote to deliveryPantone guaranteed
Clearly off? We reprintReprint or refund
If we get it wrong, you chooseBBB accredited
A US business you can checkPrinted tape questions
Should I choose 1 Pantone, 2 Pantone or full color CMYK for custom printed tape?
Choose 1 Pantone if your logo is a clean wordmark or icon that reads well in one signature color on kraft or white tape. Choose 2 Pantone to pair your brand mark with a contrasting accent color. Choose full color CMYK when your design has three or more colors or gradients.
What is logo repeat length on custom printed tape and what spacing works best?
Repeat length is the distance from the start of one printed logo to the start of the next logo along the roll. A 6 to 9 inch repeat (for example, a 5 inch logo plus a 3 inch blank gap) ensures every cut strip shows at least two complete logos.
What is the difference between positive printing and reverse flood-coat printing?
Positive printing prints ink for your logo directly onto the kraft, white or clear tape surface, leaving the unprinted tape as the background. Reverse flood-coat printing covers the tape surface with solid Pantone ink and leaves the underlying white or kraft tape unprinted to form knocked-out text.
Can I print a continuous pattern that runs edge to edge with no gap?
Because custom tape is printed on rotary cylinders of fixed circumference, a continuous stripe or wave pattern must tile cleanly around the cylinder circumference. Tell our design team if you want an endless pattern and we will adjust your artwork repeat.
Can you print white ink on brown kraft tape?
White ink on brown kraft paper tape creates a clean, modern contrast that looks popular on natural e-commerce parcels, though exact opacity and stock pairing are confirmed on your quote.
Do you charge printing plate fees if I have a 2-color or CMYK design?
No. CubitPack never charges printing plate fees or die charges, whether you order 1 Pantone, 2 Pantone or full color CMYK. If you only have a PNG or AI-generated image, our designers rebuild it as a print-ready repeat layout at no cost.
What is the smallest font size and line thickness that prints cleanly on tape?
Keep positive text at 8 pt or larger (and at least 10 pt for reverse knocked-out text inside a flood coat) and keep stroke lines at least 1 pt thick so moving web tension never fills in fine details.
What is the minimum order quantity for custom printed tape?
Minimums depend on the product and carrier; we confirm yours with your quote. Click the quick-add presets for 36, 72, 144 or 288 rolls in Step 1 of the quote form to compare volume pricing.
Can you match my printed tape color to my custom tissue paper and stickers?
Yes. Because one dedicated account manager handles your boxes, tissue paper, stickers and tape at CubitPack, we print all of them to the same Pantone (PMS) color code. Our Pantone match is guaranteed or we reprint the order.
How long does custom printed tape take to make and ship?
Standard production takes 10-14 business days after you approve your digital proof and 3D mockup and complete payment. Rush production in 4-5 business days is available for tight deadlines, and standard shipping to all 50 US states is free.
Still have a question? Ask a packaging specialist.
Request a Quote →Printed tape terms, explained
- Step-and-repeat
- Repeating your logo at a fixed interval along the tape roll
- Positive print
- Printing ink for the logo while leaving the base tape as background
- Reverse flood coat
- Flooding the tape with solid ink so unprinted tape forms knocked-out text
- Quiet margin
- Unprinted ¼ inch safety zone along top and bottom slit edges
- Cylinder repeat
- Circumference of the rotary plate roller setting the pattern loop length
- Trapped print
- Printing ink under clear film before adhesive so logos never scratch
More for your extras packaging
Learn more
Get your printed tape price
One dedicated account manager prepares pricing across up to 3 quantities.
- Free design & AI-to-print studio + 3D mockup
- No die or plate charges · 4–5 day rush available
- Free shipping to all 50 states
- 10% off your first order
- Reprint or refund if we get it wrong
Every CubitPack fact on this page comes from our confirmed offers in our published product specifications (10-14 business day turnaround, rush 4-5 days, 1/2 Pantone and CMYK printing, zero plate fees and free US shipping) and was checked by a packaging specialist. Repeat spacing and prepress margin rules reflect rotary tape printing standards, and every order is verified on a digital proof and 3D mockup before payment. Spot something wrong? Tell us and we will fix it. Tell us if something looks wrong.
Sources
- All CubitPack offers, 10-14 business day turnaround (rush 4-5), 1/2 Pantone and CMYK printing, zero plate fees, free US shipping, Pantone guarantee and $50 sample kit
- Rotary step-and-repeat cylinder intervals and positive vs reverse flood-coat ink coverage
- Minimum line weights, quiet margins and ink contrast on kraft vs white tape carriers
What changed
- October 22, 2026: First published.
- October 22, 2026: Updated specifications, terminology, and verified source links.