Design for a repeating cylinder
Printed packing tape is produced on a gravure or flexo press using a cylindrical plate, so artwork repeats at a fixed distance around the roll. That repeat length is set by the cylinder, not by the design file, and it is typically between 250mm and 500mm. Any logo or text must sit comfortably inside one repeat and survive being cut at the seam.
Supply vector artwork with fonts converted to outlines, plus a colour reference for each ink. If the design runs across the full width, keep critical elements at least 3mm from both edges, because the slit tolerance on a finished roll is not zero and a logo touching the edge will look clipped.
Colours, coverage and cost
Each additional ink adds a station and a plate, so two-colour designs are the practical default for carton tape. Heavy solid coverage of dark ink on a thin film can also affect adhesion and appearance, because the ink layer sits between the adhesive and the board at the edges. Reverse out text rather than printing a solid panel where possible.
- Vector files, fonts outlined, CMYK or Pantone references
- Repeat length confirmed before plate cutting
- 3mm safe margin from both slit edges
- Two colours or fewer for best economics
Ask for a proof on the actual film before committing to a run. Screen proofs misrepresent how white ink behaves on a clear BOPP backing, and a physical sample prevents a costly plate remake.
