We all know what tape does: it seals, protects, holds things together, conveys messages, and…can be fun? That’s right! From duct to painter’s to caution, tape comes in so many styles and varieties now, so there’s no excuse to forgo adding a touch of memorable flair and originality to your packaging. Your customers will love it, it gives your staff the opportunity to be creative, and it will build your brand. And if the immense popularity of unboxing videos is any indication, the packaging can be just as important as the contents inside. So to help give you and your business some ideas, here are a few creative ways to use duct tape, packing tape, and other kinds of tape.

Decorate a Personal Message

Customers love the personal touch of a thank you message. Up your gratitude game by printing your thank you note on fine cardstock and rimming the edge with colorful tape, perhaps arranging it in a striking pattern. Gift tags can be enhanced by folding duct or packaging tape into special shapes around the “To/From” message. If you’re feeling extra creative, try your hand at origami-style tape sculptures and include them in packages for extra-special customers; you’ll find plenty of instructions online for these little projects, ranging from the simple to the complex. An added personal touch goes a long way to leave a lasting impression with your customers.

Make Tape a Branding Tool

If it’s in your budget, order tape that’s branded with your logo, slogan, and other branding information. If it isn’t, use some clear packing tape to add business cards, printed ads, and other information to the package’s exterior where the receiver can see it. If you want to take it to the next level, include additional information on the inside flaps of the package for your customers to discover. It will enhance the unboxing experience and will ensure your customers connect the package’s contents with you and the services you’ve provided.

Decorate the Packaging with Colored Tape

Here’s where you can really flex your creative muscles. We’re well past the days of strictly brown and transparent tape. If you’ve got the time and know-how, stock up on a diverse selection of bright and colorful tapes at different widths so you can decorate your packaging with an eye-catching display of stripes, latticework, mosaics, and more. Let your imagination run wild! If your time is more limited or your creativity more restricted, make sure you’re choosing tapes that reflect your brand; for example, Target buys red tape for its shipping and storage needs, while Walmart is better off getting blue. The correct color reinforces your brand and gives your packages a more uniform, professional appearance.

These are just a few of the ways to expand the creative horizons of your business’s tape usage. There are numerous online resources that are full of unique and engaging ideas for tape-based projects. Some artists have even dedicated their careers to making art with tape. Just remember that tape is like paint or clay: if you have the idea and know how to execute it, the material can become whatever you want it to be. The sky’s the limit!