Mold Growth on Application Tape

By Jim Hingst

Mold growing on application tape generally
 does not indicate that there is a problem
with the tape. It usually results
 when the tape is stored in a cool,
damp environment, such as a basement.

Mold spores are everywhere. You can’t see them. They just float around in the air, whether you are indoors or outside.  When these invisible spores land on a wet or moist material, they can begin to grow. In nature, mold growth serves the function of breaking down dead organic matter, such as leaves or fallen trees. Without a wet surface, the spores remain dormant. 

Mold growth on paper application tape is extremely rare, but  it can  happen. If the adhesive system has not been completely cured, the remaining moisture can promote mold growth.  Usually the problem of mold growth is not a result of the tape manufacturing process.

Instead, mold typically occurs when the tape is stored in a cool, damp environment, such as in a basement. Humidity  that condenses on a surface of the paper tape, provides an excellent medium, upon which spores can sprout.

So what do you need to do, if you experience mold growth on rolls of application tape? The first step is to discard any moldy tape. That’s the easy part. The next step is to evaluate your storage conditions. Do not remove rolls of application tape from its packaging, until you are ready to use it. If the tape is stored in a cool, damp space, you will need to relocate it to an environment with humidity control.

Indoors you can only control mold growth by controlling moisture. Dehumidifiers and air conditioning can help control excessive humidity. Remember, without water, mold cannot grow.

About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.

Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer.  Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.

Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for  publications, such as  Signs Canada, SignCraft,  Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and  Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 325 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.

© 2015 Jim Hingst