Sealing happens on every single order. The right tape gun saves seconds for almost no cost; volume up, then look at a case sealer.
Three common options
| Tool | Best for | Indicative (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handheld tape gun (side-loading) | Every volume | ~A$20–45 | Start here; saves seconds and seals flatter; keep on your dominant side |
| Water-activated tape dispenser (manual) | ~100+/day, professional look | ~A$200+ | Strong bond, printable, good for medium weights |
| Water-activated dispenser (electric) | Mid-high volume | ~A$550–1,100 | Auto feed and cut, less effort |
| Semi-auto case sealer | Uniform boxes, ~250+/day | ~A$2,000–5,500 | Seals top and bottom; replaces ~10–15 s of manual sealing per order |
Standardise the sealing pattern too
- Light goods: one central “strip” seal;
- Medium weight: the H-method (central strip plus one across each end);
- Heavy goods: a cross method (central strip plus one across the middle);
- Tape should be smooth and fully adhered, overhanging ~5cm at each edge.
A gun saves roughly 3–6 s per order versus hand-tearing and seals more securely. At 100 orders/day it typically pays for itself within a week.
Equipment prices are indicative Australian retail bands in AUD for 2026. They vary by brand, retailer, promotion and over time, and exclude GST, freight and installation; the invoice at purchase prevails. “Seconds saved” are ranges from published warehouse-operations material — estimates, not guarantees. Time your own process with a stopwatch first. See Sources & method.
Related
For box choice and void, see Boxes & poly mailers; to fold sealing into the flow, see the ideal 9-step sequence.