3M™ 313 Packaging Tape

3M™ 313 Packaging Tape: acrylic polypropylene adhesive for carton sealing

The 3M™ 313 packaging tape is designed for sealing cartons in industrial conditions. Its acrylic adhesive on a polypropylene backing ensures a reliable hold, even on slightly dusty surfaces.

It withstands repeated handling and temperature variations common in logistics and shipping.

A versatile, economical, and immediately operational tape for your packaging lines.

Presentation of 3M™ 313 packaging tape

The 3M™ 313 packaging tape is an adhesive designed for sealing cartons in logistics and industrial environments. It combines a polypropylene film with an acrylic adhesive for a reliable long-term hold.

At Dagobert Industrie, we offer it to meet the needs of standard to medium packaging: shipping, storage, and light palletizing.

Composition and structure of the 313 tape

The backing is made of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film. This material offers good tear resistance and low elasticity, which facilitates unwinding and application.

The adhesive is a solvent-based acrylic type. It ensures rapid adhesion to corrugated cardboard, even on slightly dusty surfaces or at standard room temperature.

The result is a transparent, thin, and discreet tape, suitable for neat packaging or shipments requiring a clean presentation.

Product	Backing	Adhesive	Main use	Temperature resistance
3M™ 313	Transparent BOPP	Solvent acrylic	Standard carton sealing	0 °C to +60 °C
3M™ 371	Transparent BOPP	Reinforced solvent acrylic	Heavy / long-term carton sealing	-10 °C to +70 °C
3M™ Scotch® 309	Brown BOPP	Natural rubber	General packaging, immediate adhesion	+5 °C to +40 °C
Tesa 4124	Transparent BOPP	Water-based acrylic	Light to medium packaging	0 °C to +55 °C

Technical characteristics of 3M™ 313 tape

The 3M™ 313 packaging tape is an adhesive tape made of polypropylene film coated with a pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive. It is designed for sealing and strapping cartons in standard logistics environments.

Its acrylic adhesive gives it good resistance to aging and heat. It maintains its adhesive properties under normal storage conditions without yellowing or peeling over time.

The polypropylene film offers decent mechanical resistance to tearing and tension. It withstands the usual constraints of manual or semi-automated packaging on a strapping table.

Main features:

• Backing: biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film
• Adhesive: pressure-sensitive acrylic
• Color: transparent
• Application: manual or with a dispenser
• Usage: light to medium carton sealing
• Heat resistance: good hold up to approximately 60 °C

Product	Backing	Adhesive	Heat resistance	Typical usage
3M™ 313	BOPP polypropylene	Acrylic	Up to ~60 °C	Standard carton sealing
3M™ 371	BOPP polypropylene	Hot-melt	Limited (~40 °C)	Carton sealing, high throughput
3M™ 375	Reinforced BOPP polypropylene	Hot-melt	Limited (~40 °C)	Heavy cartons, high resistance
Tesa 4124	BOPP polypropylene	Acrylic	Up to ~60 °C	Carton sealing, general use

Compared to hot-melt tapes like the 3M™ 371, the 313 offers better long-term hold and superior thermal resistance. It is the right choice for shipments stored in warm warehouses or for long durations.

Applications and areas of use for 3M™ 313 tape

The 3M™ 313 tape is designed for sealing cartons in logistics and industrial environments. Its acrylic adhesive on a polypropylene backing gives it a good long-term hold.

It is suitable for both manual use and use with an automatic dispenser. It is a common choice for packaging lines with moderate throughput.

Here are the typical applications of the 3M™ 313:

• Sealing cardboard boxes in warehouses or workshops
• Packaging of light to medium products
• Shipping mail and e-commerce parcels
• Storage: keeping carton flaps secured on pallets
• Use in offices or logistics back-offices

Its tensile strength is sufficient for standard loads. It is not recommended for heavy packages or very cold or humid environments.

Product	Manufacturer	Backing	Adhesive	Main use
3M™ 313	3M	Polypropylene	Acrylic	Carton sealing, standard use
3M™ 371	3M	Polypropylene	Reinforced acrylic	Carton sealing, heavier loads
3M™ 355	3M	Polypropylene	Hotmelt	Fast sealing, strong immediate adhesion
Tesa 4124	Tesa	Polypropylene	Acrylic	General packaging, economical equivalent

The 3M™ 313 positions itself as a versatile and reliable tape for standard daily use. For more demanding requirements, the 3M™ 371 or 355 references offer superior performance.

Comparison: 3M™ 313 tape versus other packaging tapes on the market

The market for packaging tapes is vast. To help you find your way, here is how the 3M™ 313 compares to common alternatives.

Product	Film material	Adhesive	Tensile strength	Main use
3M™ 313	Polypropylene	Acrylic	High	Carton sealing, long-term storage
3M™ 300 LSE	Polypropylene	Low surface energy acrylic	Medium	Difficult-to-bond surfaces
3M™ Scotch® 371	Polypropylene	Hotmelt	Very high	Heavy carton sealing, high speed
Standard PVC tape (generic)	PVC	Solvent	Medium	Standard packaging, short term
Kraft paper tape (generic)	Kraft paper	Acrylic or water	Low to medium	Light packaging, eco-friendly use

The acrylic adhesive of the 3M™ 313 gives it stable long-term hold, even in cold or humid environments. This is a clear advantage over hot-melt tapes, which age less effectively.

Compared to the 3M™ Scotch® 371, the 313 is better suited for standard cartons and moderate volumes. The 371 takes over for heavy loads and high-speed automated lines.

Compared to generic PVC tapes, the polypropylene film of the 313 is thinner, quieter during unwinding, and more environmentally friendly.

In summary, the 3M™ 313 strikes a good balance between performance, durability, and ease of use, without overpaying for features that are unnecessary in most common packaging contexts.

Compatible accessories: recommended dispensers and application tools

The 3M™ 313 packaging tape can be applied by hand or with a dispenser. A good application tool saves time and improves cutting consistency.

For occasional use, a handheld dispenser (pistol type) is sufficient. It guides the tape, tensions the cut, and prevents wrinkles on the carton.

For intensive packaging stations, a tabletop dispenser is more suitable. It frees up both of the operator's hands and reduces fatigue on long runs.

The 313 tape is supplied in a standard 50 mm width, compatible with the vast majority of dispensers on the market. Just verify that the dispenser core accepts a 76 mm (3-inch) hub, which is the standard size for industrial reels.

A few points to check before choosing your tool:

• Core diameter: 76 mm (industrial standard)
• Useful dispenser width: at least 50 mm
• Stainless steel cutting blade for a clean cut on polypropylene
• Tool weight: an important criterion for high-speed stations

3M offers its own range of dispensers compatible with its packaging tapes. They are designed to work without specific adjustments with the 313 and guarantee constant tape tension during application.

FAQ - 3M™ 313 packaging tape

1. What is 3M™ 313 packaging tape used for?

The 3M™ 313 is an adhesive tape made of acrylic-coated polypropylene, designed for sealing cartons during shipping and storage.

It is suitable for standard logistics environments: warehouses, packaging workshops, manual or semi-automated packaging lines.

2. What is the difference between an acrylic adhesive and a hot-melt adhesive on a packaging tape?

The acrylic adhesive of the 3M™ 313 offers better resistance to aging, UV, and temperature variations than classic hot-melt tapes.

A hot-melt sticks faster in the cold but can soften in heat or yellow over time. Acrylic remains stable over the long term.

3. Does the 3M™ 313 hold on recycled or damp cartons?

Recycled cartons often have a powdery or low-cohesion surface. The 3M™ 313 adheres correctly to this type of backing under normal application conditions.

However, like all standard polypropylene tapes, it is not designed for wet or very greasy surfaces. In such cases, prefer a tape with reinforced coating.

4. Is this tape compatible with dispensers and packaging guns?

Yes. The 3M™ 313 is compatible with standard manual dispensers and common packaging guns.

Its polypropylene film unwinds and cuts easily, which limits fatigue during repeated use on a packaging line.

5. What is the temperature resistance of the 3M™ 313?

The acrylic coating of the 3M™ 313 allows it to withstand temperatures ranging from approximately 0 °C to +60 °C in standard use.

For applications in cold rooms or very hot environments, 3M offers other specific references better suited to these extreme constraints.

6. How does the 3M™ 313 differ from other 3M packaging tapes like the 371 or 309?

The 3M™ 309 is an economical hot-melt tape, ideal for intensive use at a low cost. The 3M™ 371 is also hot-melt, with good initial cold adhesion.

The 3M™ 313 is positioned on durability: its acrylic adhesive makes it more reliable over time, especially for cartons stored for several weeks or exposed to light.