Gummed paper tape is used to seal corrugated cardboard cartons. Water activates the gummed adhesive which seeps into the interior corrugated layer of the carton and forms a strong bond, becoming part of the carton.
Water-activated tape cannot be used on glossy, printed cardboard cartons as it might be prevented from bonding. Also if a company logo is printed on the carton then Kraft paper water-activated tape is opaque and will obscure the graphics. This can be overcome by printed branding on some paper tapes.