The Different Types of Adhesives for Paper Packaging & How to Decide

April 21, 2025

When it comes to packaging, adhesives play a crucial role in ensuring the products arrive intact, and the industry is only getting bigger. The packaging adhesive market is projected to grow from 14.99 billion dollars in 2025 to 25.99 billion dollars by 2034.¹

Paper-based packaging in particular makes up a huge part of the industry. Whether you are folding cartons or closing a standard cardboard box, you are using an adhesive to do so, and there are several different options out there. Our team of adhesive experts reviews the pros and cons of different paper packaging adhesives as well as how they are applied and how to determine which adhesive to use for your needs.

Types of Paper Packaging Adhesives

There are so many different types of adhesives for paper packaging. From traditional tapes to more advanced glue products, each type of paper packaging adhesive has its own strengths and weaknesses. Having been in the adhesive packaging business for several years, we are sharing more information about the different types of paper packaging adhesives to help you find the right one for your application.

Tapes

Traditionally, a lot of paper and cardboard packaging used tapes. While tapes for paper packaging applications are still used widely today, this type of adhesive does have some limitations.

Pros

Easy to use with minimal equipment and training needed

Low upfront cost

Good protection against environmental factors

Cons:

Can be wasteful and bad for the environment

Less aesthetically pleasing than paper packaging glues

Not great for automated packaging lines

Application:

By hand

With a tape gun

Integrated into an automated system

Ideal for:

Low-volume or manual applications

Small businesses that do not have the financial means to take on a higher upfront cost and are not looking to scale

Hot Melts

Hot melt adhesives are applied in a molten state and harden as they cool. With their fast cure times and long-term cost savings, they have quickly grown in popularity with many businesses making the switch from tape. There are also several different types of hot melt adhesives for different applications.

Pros:

Efficient and compatible with high production speeds

Fast cure times

Long-term cost savings

Aethetically pleasing

Minimal waste

Greater bond strength

Easily scalable if your business grows

Several different types and forms available

Long shelf life

Cons:

Requires specialized equipment with training and maintenance

Higher initial upfront cost

May have some limitations against environmental factors

Application:

Glue guns

Bulk hot melt systems

Ideal for:

High-speed, automated, or continuous production lines (bulk hot melt)

Manual applications (glue sticks)

Businesses looking for better efficiency and long-term cost savings

Businesses looking to grow

Water-Based

Water-based adhesives are also sometimes used in the packaging industry. They can be used to seal manufacturers' joints as well as in bottle or can labeling. These adhesives dry and form bonds as the water in them evaporates or is absorbed by the substrate.

Pros:

Can be easily integrated into automated systems

Ability to custom formulate

Low cost

Temperature, water, and oil resistance

Less waste than tape

Easy to clean up

Cons:

Longer drying time

Substrate limitations

Some equipment is usually required

Humid environments can impact dry time or reduce the bond strength

Limited shelf life

Application:

Manually with brushes or a squeeze bottle

Roller coaters

Integrated into an automated system

Ideal for:

Paper-to-paper bonds

Automated production lines with longer dry times

Applications where heat is not practical

How to Choose the Right Paper Packaging Adhesive

Different types of packaging adhesives are suited for different applications. When determining what type of adhesive to choose for your application, you should consider the following:

Substrate Materials: Different materials require different adhesives. While one adhesive may be perfect for uncoated cardboard, it may not work with coated stock. The adhesive you choose needs to be compatible with the substrate materials you are bonding.

The Environment: The environment is an incredibly important consideration. Adhesives behave differently in hot, cold, or humid environments. If they are not meant to perform in these types of environments but are exposed to them during storage and shipping, it could lead to pop-opens or other issues.

Production Process: The best type of paper packaging adhesive for your needs will also depend on your production line. Some adhesives can be easily integrated into existing automated production lines while others may be better applied manually. Similarly, different types of packaging adhesives are better suited for different production speeds. High-speed production lines often require fast-curing adhesives. On the other hand, slower curing adhesives likely need lower speed production lines.

Bond Strength: Depending on the product's weight and packaging, you may require a product that can reach a higher bond strength.

Cost: Just because they are more expensive, it doesn't necessarily mean they are the best choice. You should weigh the cost versus the performance to find a paper packaging glue or tape that meets your needs but also doesn't break your budget. You should also consider the long-term cost savings if you are considering investing in new equipment.

Regulatory Compliance: Especially if you are in the food and beverage industry, you need to make sure you are meeting the right requirements. Some adhesives are safe for indirect contact with food, but others are not.

Sustainability: There are a growing number of businesses and consumers looking for more sustainable packaging options. Some are turning to flexible packaging. Others are trying the new biodegradable hot melt adhesives like Tecbond 110B and Tecbond 214B.

Let Us Help You Find What You Need

Whether you want to optimize your high-speed production line or are looking for an easy manual solution, you need an adhesive for paper packaging that works for you. With so many factors to consider and so many options to choose from, we understand that not only choosing the right kind of paper packaging adhesive but also the specific product can be overwhelming.

Fortunately, our team wants to help. Contact us and we can provide you with a personalized product recommendation based on your unique needs.

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