7/14/2026

Athens Packaging Checkup: Where Tape and Stretch Film Are Quietly Driving Cost

Many companies think the biggest packaging costs show up in corrugated or freight, but tape and stretch film often create the most repeatable waste.

That is where the right product choice matters. Shurtape HP-100 helps standardize carton sealing, while Athena stretch film helps protect pallet loads with the right containment, gauge, and wrap strategy.

Read the five warning signs below to see where better tape application and better film selection can reduce waste, improve consistency, and keep the line moving.

Athens helps teams turn those choices into practical changes with less disruption to daily operations.

Schedule your complimentary tape and stretch film review with Athens.

Contact Athens Packaging Solutions

Featured Items

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Item #: 020714

Shurtape HP-100 48MM x 100M

TAPE - CARTON SEALING - HAND - HOT MELT - #100 GNL PURPOSE GRADE - 48MM X 100M 1.6MIL - CLEAR - CS/36

General-purpose, light-duty HP-100 hot melt tape for manual carton sealing, with a high-tack synthetic rubber/resin adhesive designed for an instant, permanent bond.

When To Use: Choose this width when you want the proven HP-100 seal performance in a slimmer format for everyday packing lines.
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Item #: 020719

Shurtape HP-100 72MM x 100M

TAPE - CARTON SEALING - HAND - HOT MELT - #100 GNL PURPOSE GRADE - 72MM X 100M 1.6MIL - CLEAR - CS/24

The same HP-100 construction and Hold Strong technology as the 48MM roll, now in a wider width for more surface coverage on lightweight carton sealing.

When To Use: Pick this size when you want the same tape chemistry and unwind feel, with broader wipe-down on each pass.
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Item #: 055091

Athena Performance Stretch Film 18"

STRETCH FILM - HAND - ATHENA - PERFORMANCE 18" X 1500' 70GA CLEAR CS/4

Athena hand stretch film engineered for heavy-duty wrapping with high puncture resistance and strong elongation, helping loads stay tight through handling and transit.

When To Use: Use this 18 inch hand wrap when pallet stability and film toughness are critical for mixed or sharp-edged loads.

How Athens Helps You Standardize Tape and Stretch Film Without Slowing the Line

Purchasing managers, operations managers, and plant managers all have budget pressure right now. Many companies have never truly evaluated whether their tape and stretch film habits are costing them time and money.

This guide is designed to help you identify fast, measurable improvements without sacrificing seal quality, load containment, or customer experience.

Why Tape and Film Spend Sneaks Up on Teams

Tape and stretch film are often treated like basic commodities, so teams keep using the same rolls, gauges, and application methods long after the load or carton has changed.

A small change in tape performance or wrap containment can seem insignificant on a per-unit basis. Across thousands of cartons and pallets, that turns into real waste.

That is why teams use Shurtape HP-100 and Athena stretch film as starting points: both are familiar, practical products that make it easier to standardize, compare, and improve.

At Athens, we routinely help customers uncover hidden tape and film costs without sacrificing performance.

The 5 Signs to Watch

  1. Your Tape is Working Too Hard

    If cartons need extra strips, heavy-handed application, or repeated rework to stay sealed, the tape program is probably doing more work than it should.

  2. Your Stretch Film Hasn't Been Revisited in Years

    Load patterns, pallet weights, and handling conditions change over time. When the film spec does not, you can end up paying for more gauge or containment than the load needs.

    A good stretch film review can uncover where Athena film can do the same job with better control and less waste.

  3. Manual Application is Driving Variation

    When tape is applied differently from one operator to the next, or wrap force changes from shift to shift, consistency and cost both suffer.

  4. The Load Needs Better Containment, Not More Film

    More film is not always better film. The right hand wrap or pre-stretch approach can improve hold and keep the load stable without overpacking it.

  5. There is No Clear Standard by Application

    Manual carton sealing, automatic applications, hand-wrapped pallets, and stretch wrapper lines all need different answers. If the same product is being used everywhere, there is probably room to standardize.

Where Teams Usually Find Savings First

  • Shurtape standardization by carton type and application
  • Automatic tape applications where line speed and consistency matter
  • Tape dispenser and machine programs that reduce rework
  • Athena stretch film gauge and containment reviews
  • Pre-stretch and wrap efficiency improvements
  • Stretch wrapper settings and productivity checks
  • Training that keeps application habits consistent across shifts

Need More Tape and Film Pairings?

If you want options beyond the featured examples above, Athens can map additional Shurtape SKUs to your carton style and line speed, then help you compare Athena stretch film options by load type and containment needs.

The fastest wins usually come from matching the right tape to the right carton and the right film to the right pallet, instead of forcing one product to do every job.

Free Tape and Stretch Film Review

Athens' packaging specialists can evaluate your current tape and stretch film process and identify opportunities to reduce material usage, improve consistency, and lower overall packaging costs.

Our review covers:

  • Shurtape product fit and application method
  • Athena stretch film usage and load containment
  • Manual vs automatic tape application
  • Hand wrap vs wrapper efficiency
  • Training and standardization opportunities

Schedule your complimentary tape and stretch film review today and get a clear view of where cost, efficiency, and performance can be balanced better.

Contact Athens Packaging Solutions