3M™ Scotch® 371 Packing Tape

3M™ Scotch® 371 Packaging Tape: performance and reliability for your packaging lines

The 3M™ Scotch® 371 packaging tape is an essential benchmark for demanding packaging lines. Its acrylic adhesive offers strong bonding on cardboard, even in cold or humid environments.

Designed for high-speed industrial applications, it is suitable for both automatic packaging machines and manual application.

Durable, reliable, and smooth to unwind: it is the choice of professionals who cannot afford packaging failure.

Overview of the 3M™ Scotch® 371 packaging tape

The 3M™ Scotch® 371 packaging tape is a high-performance adhesive tape designed for demanding packaging environments. It is intended for industrial packaging lines where reliability cannot be compromised.

At Dagobert Industrie, we offer this tape as a solid reference for closing cartons at high speeds. Its immediate adhesion and tear resistance make it a proven choice.

Composition and structure of the tape

The Scotch® 371 features a bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) backing. This film provides good mechanical strength while remaining thin and lightweight.

The adhesive used is synthetic rubber-based. It guarantees fast adhesion to corrugated cardboard, even on surfaces that are slightly dusty or have low surface energy.

The back of the tape is treated with an anti-adhesive coating that allows for smooth and consistent unwinding. This reduces jerking on automatic packaging machines and limits line downtime.

• Backing: BOPP film (bi-axially oriented polypropylene)
• Adhesive: quick-tack synthetic rubber
• Backing: anti-adhesive treatment for smooth unwinding
• Color: standard brown (universal packaging reference)
• Total thickness: approximately 48 µm

This balanced structure positions the Scotch® 371 between economic standard BOPP tapes and high-resistance technical tapes like the 3M™ Scotch® 375, which incorporates a reinforced backing for heavier loads.

Technical specifications and typical properties of the Scotch® 371

The Scotch® 371 is a packaging tape with a bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) backing, coated with a pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive. This combination gives it excellent long-term durability.

Its acrylic adhesive offers good resistance to temperature variations and humidity. It sticks effectively to standard cartons, even in warehouse environments.

The BOPP film ensures tear resistance and sufficient rigidity to withstand the mechanical stresses of semi-automatic or manual packaging lines.

Here are the typical properties of the Scotch® 371:

• Backing: bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film
• Adhesive: pressure-sensitive acrylic
• Total thickness: approximately 48 µm
• Adhesion strength: high on corrugated and flat cardboard
• Tensile strength: approximately 50 N/25 mm
• Elongation at break: approximately 130 %
• Application temperature range: +10 °C to +40 °C
• Color: transparent or tan depending on reference

This tape is compatible with manual dispensers and automatic packaging machines. It unwinds easily without residue or snagging.

Product	Backing	Adhesive	Thickness	Main usage
3M Scotch® 371	BOPP	Acrylic	~48 µm	Carton packaging, intensive use
3M Scotch® 309	BOPP	Hotmelt	~43 µm	Light packaging, low cadence
tesa® 4124	BOPP	Acrylic	~50 µm	Standard packaging, general use
Nitto 903	BOPP	Hotmelt	~45 µm	High-speed packaging

The Scotch® 371 stands out for its acrylic adhesive, which is more stable over time than hotmelt formulas, particularly for long-term storage.

Recommended applications: when to use Scotch® 371 tape?

The 3M™ Scotch® 371 packaging tape is designed for environments where speed is high and reliability is non-negotiable.

It is perfectly suited for sealing cartons on automated production lines. Its compatibility with standard tape dispensers makes it a straightforward choice for mechanized packaging stations.

For manual packaging, it applies effortlessly thanks to its quick-tack acrylic adhesive. Ideal for logistics teams processing a large volume of packages every day.

Scotch® 371 resists variations in temperature and humidity well. It remains reliable in both cold storage and non-climate-controlled storage areas.

Here are the most common use cases:

• Sealing single or double-wall corrugated cartons
• Semi-automatic and automatic packaging lines
• E-commerce order fulfillment and logistics
• Mail and parcel shipments
• Temporary storage of boxes in a warehouse

However, it is not suitable for uneven, dusty, or heavily greasy surfaces. For these cases, a reinforced adhesive tape or a fabric tape will be more appropriate.

At Dagobert Industrie, we recommend the Scotch® 371 as a priority for any standard high-volume packaging application, where bonding consistency and application speed make the difference.

Comparison: Scotch® 371 versus other packaging tapes on the market

The packaging tape market is vast. Between economical tapes, silent tapes, and high-performance tapes, it's hard to find your way. Here is where the Scotch® 371 is positioned.

The 371 is a bi-axially oriented polypropylene tape with acrylic adhesive. It offers a solid hold over time, even in hot or cold warehouses. This is its main advantage over economical natural rubber-based tapes.

Product	Backing	Adhesive	Temperature resistance	Typical usage
3M™ Scotch® 371	BOPP Polypropylene	Acrylic	-10 °C to +60 °C	Carton sealing, high-demand packaging lines
3M™ Scotch® 309	BOPP Polypropylene	Natural rubber	+5 °C to +40 °C	Light packaging, office use
tesa® 4024	BOPP Polypropylene	Acrylic	-10 °C to +60 °C	Standard carton sealing
Nitto N° 315	BOPP Polypropylene	Acrylic	0 °C to +50 °C	Common industrial packaging

Compared to the tesa® 4024 or the Nitto 315, the Scotch® 371 stands out for its compatibility with automatic dispensers and its consistent unwinding. Less breakage, fewer machine stops.

The Scotch® 309 remains a good tape for occasional use. But on a fast-paced packaging line, its rubber adhesive ages less well and handles temperature fluctuations less effectively.

For intensive use in logistics warehouses, the Scotch® 371 represents the right balance between performance, reliability, and machine compatibility. This is why we stock it at Dagobert Industrie.

Usage tips and compatibility with packaging machines

The 3M™ Scotch® 371 packaging tape is designed to work well in both manual applications and automated placement on a packaging line. A few simple adjustments are enough to get the best out of it.

First and foremost, ensure that the surfaces to be bonded are clean, dry, and free of dust. The tape adheres to corrugated cardboard, flat cardboard, and most standard packaging surfaces.

Recommended application speeds and machine settings

The Scotch® 371 is compatible with the majority of case sealing machines on the market (automatic gluing heads, semi-automatic 3M-Matic™ type machines).

For optimal adhesion in automatic application, observe these key points:

• Application speed: up to 30 m/min on most standard lines
• Application pressure: verify that the pressure rollers exert uniform pressure across the entire width of the tape
• Ambient temperature: ideally between 15 °C and 35 °C to ensure adhesive hold
• Unwinding tension: adjust the dispenser brake to avoid excessive stretching of the film

In manual application, use an ergonomic dispenser adapted to the tape width. Firm pressure with the thumb during application ensures a solid bond from the very first pass.

Store the rolls away from heat and UV rays, lying flat or standing, to preserve adhesive performance over time.

FAQ - 3M™ Scotch® 371 Packaging Tape

1. What is the difference between Scotch® 371 and Scotch® 309?

The Scotch® 371 is a polypropylene tape with an acrylic adhesive, designed for use on high-speed packaging lines. The Scotch® 309 uses a natural adhesive and is better suited for light manual applications.

The 371 offers better temperature resistance and aging, making it the preferred choice for long-term storage.

2. Is Scotch® 371 compatible with automatic packaging machines?

Yes. It is specifically formulated to work on automatic dispensers and packaging machines. Its consistent unwinding prevents jams and line stops.

It adapts to standard gun-type or arm-type dispensers without any particular adjustment.

3. Does this tape hold up in a cold or humid warehouse?

The acrylic adhesive of the Scotch® 371 maintains its performance in cold and humid environments, where natural rubber-based adhesives lose effectiveness quickly.

It remains sticky and resistant even at temperatures near 0 °C, making it suitable for refrigerated warehouses and unheated logistics zones.

4. On what types of cartons does this tape adhere well?

The Scotch® 371 adheres effectively to standard corrugated cartons, flat cardboard boxes, and slightly dusty or recycled surfaces.

For very greasy or treated surfaces, pre-cleaning remains recommended to ensure optimal adhesion.

5. What is the shelf life of Scotch® 371?

Stored in its original packaging, away from heat and direct light, the Scotch® 371 has a shelf life of approximately 24 months.

At Dagobert Industrie, we ensure strict stock rotation to guarantee products are within their full period of use.

6. Can you write or print on this tape?

The polypropylene film of the Scotch® 371 is not designed to be printed or written on. For printable or custom tape needs, there are specific solutions available, particularly in the 3M range dedicated to parcel identification.

If you need a visual marker, the use of an additional label remains the most reliable solution.