The right tape for tape dispenser models is decided by width. A dispenser marked 50mm takes 48mm and 50mm rolls, a 75mm model takes 72mm and 75mm rolls, and a 24mm desk dispenser takes 24mm rolls. Every tape gun and bench dispenser we sell has its tape width in the model name, and every roll we sell gives its width first in the size, so matching the two takes about a minute.
This guide puts our four pistol grip tape guns and four bench top tape dispensers next to our clear, brown, fragile and kraft paper rolls in one compatibility table. It also covers what the width numbers mean in inches, what roll length changes, which tape gun and tape to buy together, and how to check a roll you already own. Where a fit is not stated on a product page, we say so and tell you how to check.
In This Guide
- Quick picks for a tape gun and tape that fit
- Which tape for tape dispenser models do you need: 24mm, 50mm or 75mm?
- What do 24mm, 48mm, 50mm, 72mm and 75mm tape widths mean?
- Does roll length change which dispenser a roll fits?
- Which tape gun and tape should you buy together?
- Which rolls fit a bench top tape dispenser?
- Do kraft paper tape, fragile tape, masking tape and duct tape work in a dispenser?
- How do you check that a roll you already own will fit?
- How much tape should you buy with a dispenser, and what does it cost per roll?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Quick picks for a tape gun and tape that fit
If you seal standard parcels with 48mm tape, these three cover a handheld gun, a fixed bench dispenser and the rolls for both.
Best for sealing boxes by hand
Pistol Grip Tape Gun Dispensers
A handheld gun that lays and cuts tape with one hand while the other steadies the box.
- Four models: HPG50B, PG50B, PG75B and Big Tape 2in1 Core
- Three take 50mm tape, the PG75B takes 75mm
- Built-in cutting blade, sold individually
From £5.00 ex VAT (£6.00 inc VAT)
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Best for a fixed packing station
Bench Top Tape Dispensers
Holds the roll on the bench or desk so you pull and tear off a strip with one hand.
- B2 for 24mm, BD50 and CBD50 for 50mm, PD351 for 75mm
- CBD50 clamps to the bench edge
- Sold per piece
From £7.50 ex VAT (£9.00 inc VAT)
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Best everyday roll for a 50mm dispenser
Brown Packing Tape
Buff polypropylene packing tape that matches brown cartons and fits any of our 50mm models in 48mm width.
- 48mm x 66m, 48mm x 132m and BigTape 48mm x 150m
- Proloc 72mm x 66m for 75mm dispensers
- Packs of 6 rolls
From £4.50 ex VAT (£5.40 inc VAT)
Choose sizeView productWhich tape for tape dispenser models do you need: 24mm, 50mm or 75mm?
You need tape that is the same width as the dispenser rating or slightly narrower: 48mm or 50mm tape for a 50mm dispenser, 72mm or 75mm tape for a 75mm dispenser, and 24mm tape for a 24mm dispenser. Our product pages state this directly. The BD50 and CBD50 bench dispensers take 50mm tape and suit 48mm rolls, the PD351 takes 75mm tape and 72mm rolls fit it, and the B2 takes 24mm tape. The same widths apply to the guns: the HPG50B Pacplus, PG50B and Big Tape 2in1 Core take 50mm wide tape, and the PG75B takes 75mm wide tape.
The table below lists all eight dispensers we stock with the tape width each one takes and the rolls from our range that match that width.
| Dispenser model | Type | Tape width it takes | Our rolls that match by width |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPG50B Pacplus Heavy Duty | Pistol grip tape gun, heavy duty | 50mm | 48mm clear, brown and fragile tape; kraft paper tape 48mm x 50m |
| PG50B | Pistol grip tape gun | 50mm | 48mm clear, brown and fragile tape; kraft paper tape 48mm x 50m |
| Big Tape 2in1 Core | Pistol grip tape gun, heavy duty | 50mm | 48mm clear, brown and fragile tape; kraft paper tape 48mm x 50m |
| PG75B | Pistol grip tape gun | 75mm | Proloc 72mm x 66m in clear or brown; kraft paper tape 75mm x 50m |
| BD50 | Bench top dispenser, free-standing | 50mm | 48mm clear, brown and fragile tape; kraft paper tape 48mm x 50m |
| CBD50 Clamp-on | Bench top dispenser, clamps to the bench edge | 50mm | 48mm clear, brown and fragile tape; kraft paper tape 48mm x 50m |
| PD351 | Bench top dispenser | 75mm | Proloc 72mm x 66m in clear or brown; kraft paper tape 75mm x 50m |
| B2 | Bench top dispenser for a desk or counter | 24mm | Clear tape 24mm x 66m |
Most of our packing tape is 48mm wide, so a 50mm model is the one most packers need. There is no handheld gun for 24mm tape in our range, so if you use narrow tape, the B2 bench dispenser is the only model we stock for it.
Width first, then everything else. A roll that is too wide will not go into the dispenser at all. A roll that is much too narrow can sit loose and wander sideways as you pull, so the strip lands off the seam. Buy the dispenser for the width you use most.
What do 24mm, 48mm, 50mm, 72mm and 75mm tape widths mean?
The number is the width of the tape across the roll, and the five widths you will see fall into three groups: about 1 inch (24mm), about 2 inch (48mm and 50mm) and about 3 inch (72mm and 75mm). Tape makers and dispenser makers do not always print the same figure for the same group. That is why a tape gun says 50mm on the box while the roll that goes in it says 48mm.
| Width group | Printed on rolls | Printed on dispensers | Usual job |
|---|---|---|---|
| About 1 inch | 24mm | 24mm (B2) | Small parcels, padded envelopes, light office jobs |
| About 2 inch | 48mm | 50mm (HPG50B, PG50B, Big Tape 2in1 Core, BD50, CBD50) | Standard cardboard boxes and everyday parcels |
| About 3 inch | 72mm or 75mm | 75mm (PG75B, PD351) | Larger cartons, where a wider band covers more of the seam in one pass |
In our range, the 48mm width covers clear packing tape, brown packing tape, fragile tape and the hotmelt roll of kraft paper tape. The wide group is the Proloc 72mm x 66m roll in clear and brown, plus the 75mm x 50m kraft paper roll. The narrow group is a single roll: clear tape at 24mm x 66m.
If you are not sure which width suits your boxes, 48mm is the usual choice for sealing cardboard boxes, and our packing tape guide goes through tape types and how much you need in more detail than this article, which deals only with fit.
Does roll length change which dispenser a roll fits?
Roll length does not change the width a dispenser takes, but it does change how big the roll is, so a long roll is the one to check before you buy. A 150m roll of the same film carries more than twice the tape of a 66m roll, so the roll is fatter. Our dispenser listings state the tape width each model takes. They do not state a maximum roll diameter or a core size, so we will not guess at one here.
| Roll length | Rolls in our range | What it means on a dispenser |
|---|---|---|
| 50m | Kraft paper tape 48mm x 50m hotmelt and 75mm x 50m | The shortest rolls we sell for box sealing. Expect to change rolls more often. |
| 66m | Clear and brown 48mm x 66m, Vibac 835 Buff 48mm x 66m, fragile 48mm x 66m, clear 24mm x 66m, Proloc 72mm x 66m | The standard length. Match by width as in the table above. |
| 132m | Clear and brown 48mm x 132m | Twice the length of a 66m roll, so half as many roll changes. Check the fit with us before ordering for a specific gun. |
| 150m | BigTape 48mm x 150m Low Noise in clear, brown and fragile | The longest roll we stock. Check the fit with us before ordering for a specific gun. |
One of our guns is called the Big Tape 2in1 Core, takes 50mm tape, and is one of our two heavy duty models. The name points towards the BigTape rolls, but the listing only confirms the 50mm width. If you plan to run 132m or 150m rolls through any gun or bench dispenser, call 0161 706 1246 or use the contact page and we will check the model against the roll before you order.
Why longer rolls are worth the check. On a busy bench, the 48mm x 132m and 48mm x 150m rolls need changing far less often than 66m rolls. The BigTape rolls are also low noise, which matters when several people are running tape guns in the same room.
Which tape gun and tape should you buy together?
For most parcels, buy a 50mm tape gun and 48mm x 66m tape in brown or clear. That pairing is stated as a fit on our product pages, it seals ordinary cardboard boxes, and it is the lowest-cost way into a tape gun with tape. Beyond that pairing, choose by how many boxes you seal in a day and how big they are.
- A few parcels a day: the PG50B, described on its page as a plain parcel tape gun for everyday use, with 48mm x 66m brown or clear tape.
- Packing all day: the HPG50B Pacplus Heavy Duty or the Big Tape 2in1 Core. These are our two heavy duty guns, built for all-day use. Both take 50mm tape.
- Large cartons: the PG75B with Proloc 72mm x 66m tape in clear or brown, or with 75mm x 50m kraft paper tape. It is the only gun we sell for wide tape.
- Breakables: any 50mm gun with fragile tape. Both fragile rolls are 48mm wide.
- A shared packing room: any 50mm gun with a low noise roll. BigTape 48mm x 150m is low noise in clear, brown and fragile, and Vibac 835 Buff 48mm x 66m is a low noise, high tack brown tape.
Tape gun for 50mm or 75mm tape
Pistol Grip Tape Gun Dispensers
Pick the model by the width of tape you use most, then by how many hours a day the gun is in your hand.
- PG50B: 50mm tape, everyday use
- HPG50B Pacplus and Big Tape 2in1 Core: 50mm tape, heavy duty
- PG75B: 75mm tape for large cartons
From £5.00 ex VAT (£6.00 inc VAT)
Choose sizeView productThe guns and the tape are sold separately. Each gun is an individual piece, from £5.00 ex VAT (£6.00 inc VAT), and the tape comes in packs of 6 rolls. Clear packing tape is from £3.50 ex VAT (£4.20 inc VAT) a pack and brown packing tape is from £4.50 ex VAT (£5.40 inc VAT) a pack. If you cannot decide between the two colours, our brown tape vs clear tape comparison covers when each one makes sense.
Whether a gun is worth buying depends on how many parcels you send. If you post two or three parcels a week, a roll of tape and a pair of scissors does the job and you do not need a gun. A gun starts to pay for itself when you are sealing boxes every day and the stop-start of finding the tape end is slowing you down. For a wider look at the two dispenser types, read the tape guns vs bench dispensers guide.
Which rolls fit a bench top tape dispenser?
A bench top dispenser takes the same widths as the guns, with one extra option: the BD50 and CBD50 Clamp-on take 48mm and 50mm rolls, the PD351 takes 72mm and 75mm rolls, and the B2 takes 24mm rolls. You use it differently from a gun: the roll stays on the bench, you pull a strip across the cutter and tear it off, then carry the strip to the parcel. That suits mailing bags, small boxes and anything you pack sitting at a station.
- B2 (24mm tape): a desk dispenser for narrow clear tape on office desks and shop counters. Load it with clear tape 24mm x 66m.
- BD50 (50mm tape): a free-standing parcel tape dispenser. Load it with any of our 48mm rolls.
- CBD50 Clamp-on (50mm tape): the same width as the BD50, fixed to the edge of the packing bench so it stays put while you pull.
- PD351 (75mm tape): for wide tape on big cartons. The product page confirms that 72mm packing tape fits it, so Proloc 72mm x 66m is the roll to order.
Busy benches often keep one 50mm and one 75mm dispenser side by side, so nobody has to swap rolls when a big carton comes down the line. Bench dispensers are sold per piece, from £7.50 ex VAT (£9.00 inc VAT). The four models are compared in more depth in our bench tape dispenser guide.
Shop bench top tape dispensers
Gun or bench? If the box stays still and you move around it, use a gun. If you stay still and the parcels come to you, use a bench dispenser. Plenty of packing rooms have both, loaded with the same 48mm rolls.
Do kraft paper tape, fragile tape, masking tape and duct tape work in a dispenser?
Fragile tape and kraft paper tape match our dispensers by width, while masking tape and duct tape are made to tear by hand and their fit in a dispenser is not stated on our product pages.
- Fragile tape: both rolls are 48mm wide, 48mm x 66m and BigTape 48mm x 150m Low Noise, so they match the 50mm guns and the BD50 and CBD50. The standard roll is acrylic polypropylene at 42 micron, the same build as our standard clear and brown rolls. Whether the printed warning changes how a parcel gets handled is a separate question, covered in fragile tape and fragile stickers.
- Kraft paper tape: the 48mm x 50m hotmelt roll matches a 50mm dispenser and the 75mm x 50m roll matches the PG75B or PD351. The kraft paper tape page itself tells you to check the width before you load a pistol grip gun, because the guns take 50mm or 75mm tape. This is self-adhesive paper tape. Gummed tape that needs water is a different product, explained in our paper tape guide.
- Masking tape: our masking tape comes in 25mm x 50m (packs of 9 rolls) and 50mm x 50m (packs of 6 rolls). It is crepe paper that tears cleanly by hand, so most people use it straight off the roll. The 25mm roll is 1mm wider than the B2's stated 24mm, so do not assume it fits: ask us first. Our masking tape dispenser guide has more on this.
- Duct tape: our duct tape is 48mm x 50m, cloth reinforced, and tears by hand. The width matches a 50mm dispenser on paper, but the listing does not say it is meant for one, and you will rarely want a whole gun tied up with a repair tape.
Polypropylene tape, paper tape and cloth tape all cut differently on a serrated blade. If a tape you have not used before tears raggedly, pull the strip tight across the blade and twist the gun slightly as you cut. Keep a utility knife on the bench for the times it will not behave.
How do you check that a roll you already own will fit?
Measure the width of the tape and compare it with the width in the dispenser's model name: if the roll is the same width or a couple of millimetres narrower, it matches. Then check that the roll sits on the holder and turns freely. The steps below take a minute and save you buying the wrong thing.
- Read the label inside the cardboard core of the roll. Most rolls print the size there as width x length, for example 48mm x 66m.
- If there is no label, measure across the tape with a ruler. About 24mm, 48mm to 50mm, or 72mm to 75mm tells you which of the three groups the roll is in.
- Find the tape width for your dispenser. On our models it is in the name: BD50 (50mm tape), PG75B (75mm tape), B2 (24mm tape).
- Compare the two. A 48mm roll goes with a 50mm dispenser and a 72mm roll goes with a 75mm dispenser. A roll wider than the dispenser rating will not fit.
- Slide the roll onto the holder. It should push on without force and turn without wobbling. If it is loose on the holder or rubs on the frame, that roll and that dispenser are not a match, whatever the width says.
- Thread the tape and seal one test box before you load up a whole shift's worth. Our guide to how to load a tape gun has the threading steps and fixes for tape that will not cut or keeps folding back on itself.
If you are buying a new dispenser for rolls you already have from another supplier, the width check still works. For the holder fit, send us the roll size and brand through the contact page, or ring us, and we will tell you what we know. We would sooner say we are not sure than sell you a gun that sits in a drawer.
How much tape should you buy with a dispenser, and what does it cost per roll?
Buy one dispenser per packing station and tape by the pack of 6 rolls, then add packs once you know how fast you get through them. Clear, brown, fragile and kraft paper tape are all sold in packs of 6 rolls with a minimum order of one pack. Dispensers are sold one at a time, so you can order a single gun for a home office or one for every packer on a line.
| Product | Sold as | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| Pistol grip tape guns | Individual piece | £5.00 ex VAT (£6.00 inc VAT) |
| Bench top tape dispensers | Individual piece | £7.50 ex VAT (£9.00 inc VAT) |
| Clear packing tape | Pack of 6 rolls | £3.50 ex VAT (£4.20 inc VAT) |
| Brown packing tape | Pack of 6 rolls | £4.50 ex VAT (£5.40 inc VAT) |
| Fragile tape | Pack of 6 rolls | £5.50 ex VAT (£6.60 inc VAT) |
| Kraft paper tape | Pack of 6 rolls | £14.00 ex VAT (£16.80 inc VAT) |
To get a cost per roll, divide the pack price by 6. At the lowest pack prices that is about 58p a roll for clear tape and 75p a roll for brown tape, ex VAT. The "from" price is for the lowest-priced size, and longer or wider rolls cost more per pack, so check the size you want on the product page. To compare a 66m roll with a 132m or 150m roll fairly, divide again by the length and look at the price per metre.
Many of these products have volume pricing. The price per pack, or per piece for the dispensers, falls as you order more, and the tiers are shown on each product page. If you buy tape every week, a trade account is worth setting up, and every order comes with a VAT invoice.
Royal Mail Tracked 48 delivery is free on every order with no minimum, so a single gun and one pack of tape ships free. Orders placed by 2pm Monday to Friday leave our Manchester unit the same working day. If you are local, click and collect from Cheetham Hill is free and usually ready within 2 hours, and we run same-day van delivery within 10 miles. You can add boxes to the same order from our cardboard boxes range, and all the rolls in this guide are in the packing tapes collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tape fits a 50mm tape gun?
A 50mm tape gun takes tape that is 48mm or 50mm wide. In the Pack Solution range that means the 48mm rolls of clear, brown and fragile packing tape, plus the 48mm x 50m hotmelt kraft paper tape. The HPG50B Pacplus, PG50B and Big Tape 2in1 Core guns all take 50mm tape.
Will 48mm tape fit a 50mm tape dispenser?
Yes, 48mm tape fits a 50mm tape dispenser. The Pack Solution product page for the BD50 and CBD50 Clamp-on bench dispensers states that both take 50mm wide tape and suit standard 48mm packing tape. The 2mm difference is normal: rolls are usually labelled 48mm and dispensers 50mm for the same width group.
Which dispenser takes 72mm or 75mm tape?
The PG75B pistol grip tape gun and the PD351 bench top dispenser both take 75mm wide tape. The PD351 product page confirms that 72mm packing tape fits it. The wide rolls Pack Solution stocks are Proloc 72mm x 66m in clear and brown, and kraft paper tape at 75mm x 50m.
Is there a tape gun for 24mm tape?
Pack Solution does not stock a pistol grip tape gun for 24mm tape. The dispenser for 24mm tape is the B2 bench top model, which sits on a desk or shop counter. The 24mm roll in the range is clear tape at 24mm x 66m, sold in packs of 6.
Do tape guns come with tape?
Pack Solution tape guns do not come with tape. Each tape gun is sold on its own as an individual piece, and brown, clear and fragile tape are ordered separately in packs of 6 rolls. Royal Mail Tracked 48 delivery is free with no minimum, so a gun and a pack of tape can go in one order at no delivery cost.
Will a 132m or 150m roll fit my tape gun?
A 132m or 150m roll is the same 48mm width as a 66m roll, so it matches a 50mm tape gun by width. A longer roll is larger across, though, and the Pack Solution dispenser listings state tape width, not a maximum roll size. Call 0161 706 1246 with the gun model and the roll you want, and the team will check the fit before you order.
