A water activated gum adhesive is a dry adhesive that stays inert until moistened, then becomes tacky and bonds. Gummed paper tape is the best-known example, but the same principle runs through a family of products: envelope and wafer seals, gummed labels and stamps, and gummed paper tape in its plain and reinforced forms. This guide explains the shared chemistry and where each product sits.
Key points
- Water activated gum adhesives are typically plant starch or dextrin, sometimes historically animal glue, applied as a dry film and activated by water.
- They are solvent-free, low-odour, and re-dissolve in water, which is why they separate cleanly in paper recycling.
- The family includes gummed paper tape, envelope and wafer seals, and gummed labels and stamps.
- For carton sealing, the relevant product is gummed (water activated) paper tape, plain or reinforced.
The shared chemistry
Most modern water activated gum is a starch or dextrin derived from corn, potato, wheat or tapioca. Dextrin is starch partly broken down into shorter chains that dissolve and tack faster. Applied to paper as a thin dry film, it does nothing until water hydrates it. The wetted starch flows into the fibres of the surface it is pressed against and hydrogen-bonds to the cellulose, then dries rigid. Because the bond is starch and water, it re-dissolves in a paper repulper and washes out, rather than forming the sticky residues that pressure-sensitive acrylic and rubber adhesives leave behind. The starch adhesive guide covers this in detail.
Older water activated gum used animal glue (collagen). It tacks well but is costlier, less consistent, has an odour and is unsuitable for anyone avoiding animal products, so starch and dextrin have largely replaced it.
The product family
- Gummed paper tape (water activated tape): a kraft strip with a starch gum, wetted by a dispenser to seal cartons. The bond into the board makes it tamper-evident and it recycles with the carton. Plain and reinforced grades.
- Envelope and wafer seals: a thin gum on the flap of an envelope or a small gummed disc, moistened to close mail. The original mass-market use of water activated gum.
- Gummed labels and stamps: paper labels and postage stamps with a dry gum backing, moistened to apply. Postage-stamp gum, from around 1840, is where the whole category began.
- Gummed paper sheets and rolls: for craft, framing and conservation, where a remoistenable paper is wanted.
Which one for packaging
For sealing shipping cartons, the product is gummed (water activated) paper tape. Specify it as “water activated” or “gummed”, reinforced or non-reinforced, and by width. The water activated tape guide covers how it works and how to switch a pack line to it, and the naming guide covers the other terms in use.
Where Carewell fits
Carewell Group supplies gummed (water activated) paper tape, reinforced and non-reinforced, plain or printed, with dispensers, distributed nationally. Carewell can meet all your packaging needs in one place. Talk to our team and we will work to your required minimum order quantity. Request a quote and samples or call +61 (02) 8760 1491.
Frequently asked questions
What is a water activated gum adhesive?
A dry adhesive, usually plant starch or dextrin, that stays inert until moistened, then becomes tacky and bonds. Gummed paper tape, envelope gum and stamp gum all use it.
Why does gum adhesive recycle better than sticky tape adhesive?
It re-dissolves in the water of a paper repulper and washes out, instead of forming the sticky residues that pressure-sensitive acrylic and rubber adhesives leave in the paper stream.
Is water activated gum the same as animal glue?
Historically some was animal glue. Modern water activated gum is almost always plant starch or dextrin, which is solvent-free and free of animal products.
What product do I need to seal cartons?
Gummed (water activated) paper tape, applied with a dispenser. Specify reinforced or non-reinforced and the width.
Does it need a dispenser?
Gummed paper tape does, to wet and cut each strip. Envelope and stamp gum are moistened by hand.
Written by Alif Vasaya, digital and content strategy, Carewell Group. Carewell Group is an Australian packaging, food packaging, tape, industrial safety and 3PL supplier serving all of Australia. Last updated 10 September 2026.