It’s always interesting to watch the new warehouse employee try to use the warehouse tape gun for the first time.  Once you learn it, it is the very definition of efficiency.  But learning how to handle it can take a little getting used to.

To load the tape gun, you will need to push the roll onto the small mandrel roll in the gun.  If it doesn’t fit snugly, you have the wrong tape.  Some tape guns, such as the one pictured, will have a simpler spring-loaded clamp.  Also, tape guns come in a 2″ and 3″ roll variety, as these are the most common widths for packaging tapes.  And the 2″ and 3″ rolls and tape guns are not interchangeable, so you will need to make sure you have the right width.

At the front of the gun will be a smaller roller, along with a guard lever.  Lift the lever and thread the tape through, making sure the adhesive faces away from the roller, so that it can be applied to the side of the box to start the taping process.

Once the flaps of the box are folded down, apply the tape surface to the side of the carton, about 3 to 4 inches below the edge of the box.  Then simply pull the tape gun up and over the box, and push the gun and wipe blade down in order to cut the tape and smooth the finished edge down.

If you have the proper tape, it should only take one pass.  If you are having to apply more than that, you are simply wasting it.  Tapes generally come in 55 or 110 yards, but doubling or tripling the application will run through your stock unnecessarily fast.

The only remaining issue is making sure you can find the tape gun when you need it.  The tend to disappear in a busy warehouse.  So either make sure you have a good tape gun holster, or order plenty of extras!