Primetac 520 Blockout Tape – 3″ Wide – Durable Solvent Blockout Tape for Screen Printing

Primetac

PrimeTac 520 is the dual-purpose tape every screen shop ends up keeping multiple rolls of. 3″ wide × 110 yards of 2.0 mil clear BOPP film with a pure solvent natural rubber adhesive that locks down on a screen during printing, then releases cleanly during reclaim — and that same aggressive adhesive seals shipping cartons reliably in cold, dusty, or rough warehouse conditions. Economical, production-tested, and stocked in single rolls or a case of 24.

3″ × 110 Yards

The wider 3″ width covers larger screen areas in a single pass — less prep time per screen. Also handles wider center-seam seals on heavier shipping boxes.

Blockout + Carton Sealing

One tape, two jobs: screen blockout in the press room, carton sealing at the shipping bench.

Pure Rubber Adhesive

Solvent natural rubber — strong on-press hold, clean release at reclaim, aggressive grip on corrugated.

2.0 Mil Clear BOPP

2.0 mil total / 30 micron film — strong, tear-resistant, transparent so labels and seams show through.

Solvent-Resistant

Handles solvent-based screen chemistry, plastisol cleanup, and cold/humid/dusty shop environments.

Single Roll or Case of 24

Buy one to try, or a full case of 24 for high-volume print shops and shipping rooms.

Need a different width? The 520 is also available in 2″ × 110yd (case of 36).

🚚 Same-day shipping before 3:30 PM CT | 🎁 Free shipping over $200 | 📦 Single roll or case of 24

Price range: $5.00 through $399.99

Quantity

Single Roll
Case of 24 Rolls
Bulk Pack – 96 Rolls (4 Cases)

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Description

PrimeTac 520 Solvent Blockout Tape — 3″ × 110 Yards

The PrimeTac 520 is the dual-purpose workhorse most screen shops keep stocked deep. In the press room it locks down on screens during printing — sealing open mesh, covering pinholes, and masking off frame channels — then peels off cleanly during reclaim, leaving no residue to deal with. At the shipping bench, that same aggressive solvent natural rubber adhesive seals corrugated cartons reliably, even in cold trucks and dusty docks where economy packing tape lifts. 2.0 mil clear BOPP backing, 110-yard rolls, single roll or full case of 24.

3″ wide × 110 yards · 2.0 mil clear BOPP film · pure solvent natural rubber adhesive · 28 lb/in tensile, ≥22 oz/in adhesion to steel · screen-printing blockout + carton/case sealing · single roll or case of 24.

Why the 3″ Width?

The 3″ width covers larger screen areas in a single pass — less prep time per screen and fewer strips per box on the shipping bench. For everyday screen blockout where 2″ is plenty, use the 2″ × 110yd version.

Economical Blockout Solution

A cost-effective way to block out screens for production — fast to apply, no waiting for blockout liquid to dry. Reach for a roll, run a strip across the open area or pinholes, and the screen is press-ready.

Strong On-Press Adhesion

The pure rubber adhesive stays firmly in place during printing, even through multiple strokes and squeegee passes. Prevents ink leaks at edges, seams, and around frame corners where pinholes hide.

Clean Release at Reclaim

When the run is done and it’s time to reclaim, the 520 peels off cleanly — no residue, no chasing tape ghosts with extra chemistry. Pull, drop, move to wash-out.

Tough Shop Conditions

Per the manufacturer, the 500-series solvent natural rubber adhesive performs consistently in cold, moist, dusty, and high-temperature environments. Works whether your shop runs hot in July or cold in January.

Aggressive Carton-Sealing Grip

The same adhesive that holds on a screen will hold on corrugated. Per PrimeTac, the 500-series solvent natural rubber is among the most aggressive carton-sealing adhesives available — strong grab on recycled-content fiberboard, reliable seal through transit.

Clear BOPP, Solvent Resistant

2.0 mil clear biaxially-oriented polypropylene — tear-resistant, transparent so you can see the mesh underneath when blocking out, and survives the solvents and washes that come with screen-room chemistry.

In the Print Room — Screen Blockout & Frame Masking

The 520 is purpose-built for the everyday screen-room jobs every printer runs:

Sealing open mesh — covering exposed areas around the image so ink doesn’t push through where you don’t want it.
Pinhole coverage — a fast, reliable fix for emulsion pinholes that show up after exposure. Drop a strip across, move on.
Frame channel masking — protecting the inside of the screen frame from ink and chemistry buildup.
Edge sealing for water-based and discharge work — holds up against the longer dwell times and chemistry of WB inks.
Production runs across all ink systems — plastisol, water-based, discharge, and solvent-based screen chemistry.

At the Shipping Bench — Carton & Case Sealing

The same chemistry that makes the 520 a great screen tape also makes it a strong choice for packaging:

Sealing T-shirt and apparel cartons — finished-goods shipments going out to wholesale and retail customers.
Bundling and palletizing — securing multi-box freight shipments for LTL and UPS Ground transit.
Cold-truck transit — the 500-series solvent natural rubber chemistry holds through unheated trailers and cold dock storage.
Reinforced seams — double-strip the center seam of heavier cartons for extra hold during rough handling.
FDA-compliant outer carton sealing — per PrimeTac, the 500-series conforms to FDA CFR Title 21 §175.105 for indirect food packaging.

Choose Your Width

The 520 is available in both 2″ and 3″ widths. Same adhesive, same film thickness — the difference is coverage per pass.

Width	Case Pack	Best For
PrimeTac 520 — 2″ × 110yd	36 rolls	Everyday screen blockout, mesh sealing, pinhole work, standard carton seal
PrimeTac 520 — 3″ × 110yd (this tape)	24 rolls	Larger screens, wider blockout coverage, heavier carton seams

How to Get the Best Performance

🖼️ Clean, Dry Mesh

For best on-press hold, apply to clean, dry mesh. A degreased and emulsion-coated screen is the ideal surface — dust, oil, or moisture compromises the bond.

👆 Press Down Firmly

Smooth the tape down along its full length so the adhesive seats fully into the mesh weave. Good initial contact prevents edge lift during long runs.

🧹 Remove Before Reclaim

Peel the tape off before the screen hits the reclaim chemistry — clean removal is easier from a dry mesh than from one already soaked in stencil remover.

📦 Carton-Side: H-Seal

For shipping: standard H-seal across the center seam and both end flaps. Double-tape the center on heavier boxes. Wipe off shop dust before sealing.

PrimeTac 500-Series Lineup

All four 500-series tapes share the same solvent natural rubber chemistry. The difference is film thickness — heavier mil = stronger seal for heavier loads or rougher handling.

Tape	Thickness	Best For
PrimeTac 501	1.8 mil	Economy carton sealing for everyday apparel shipping
PrimeTac 520 (this tape)	2.0 mil	Screen blockout, mesh sealing, AND medium-duty carton sealing
PrimeTac 540	2.4 mil	Heavier cartons, bulk apparel pallets
PrimeTac 560	2.9 mil	Heavy-duty: ink buckets, equipment shipments, rough transit

Compare to Dedicated Screen Tapes

The 520 is the cost-effective choice for everyday blockout work. For premium screen-tape applications — universal ink compatibility, color-coded workflows, or specialty split-tape masking — consider these alternatives:

Tape	Best For
PrimeTac 520 (this tape)	Cost-effective blockout + dual-use as carton tape
PMI 321 Blockout	Crepe blockout — hand-tearable, made in USA
PMI #560 RED	Universal screen tape — all inks, color-coded workflows
PMI 451 Split	Frame-channel masking with non-adhesive blue zone
PMI Quick Rip	Fast snap-tear application — production-speed prep

Why Order from River City Supply?

📦

Single Roll or Case of 24

Buy one to try or a full case — whatever your shop needs.

🚚

Same-Day Shipping

Orders before 3:30 PM CT ship same-day from San Antonio.

🛒

One Vendor for Ink, Tape & Shipping

Production supplies and back-of-house supplies from a single source.

⭐

17+ Years in Business

Founded 2008 — serving screen printers nationwide.

Technical Specifications

PrimeTac 520 (3″ × 110 yd, Clear) — Technical Specifications

Specification	Detail
Product Name	PrimeTac 520 Solvent Blockout / Carton Sealing Tape
Manufacturer	Primetac Corp.
Series	500-Series Solvent Natural Rubber
Width	3 inches (72 mm)
Length	110 yards per roll (100 m)
Total Thickness	2.0 mil
Film Thickness	30 microns
Backing	BOPP (biaxially-oriented polypropylene) film
Adhesive	Pure solvent natural rubber
Tensile Strength	28 lb/in
Adhesion to Steel	≥22 oz/in
Color	Clear
Primary Use	Screen-printing blockout, mesh sealing, pinhole coverage, frame masking
Secondary Use	Carton/case sealing, bundling, palletizing
Ink Compatibility	Plastisol, water-based, discharge, solvent-based
Removal from Mesh	Clean release — removes without leaving residue when peeled before reclaim chemistry
Shop Conditions	Cold, moist, dusty, and high-temperature environments (per manufacturer)
FDA Status (carton use)	500-series conforms to FDA CFR Title 21 §175.105 (indirect food packaging, per manufacturer)
Dispenser Compatibility	Standard 3″ handheld tape gun & automatic case sealers
Case Pack	24 rolls per case
Sold As	Single roll or full case of 24
Storage	Cool, dry area away from direct sunlight; rotate stock FIFO
Also Available In	PrimeTac 520 — 2″ × 110yd (case of 36)

Specifications compiled from PrimeTac/distributor data. Physical properties are typical values, not specifications. Confirm critical specs with us before specifying for a demanding application.

Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents

Documents & Specifications

Need the PrimeTac 520 spec sheet, SDS, or FDA compliance documentation? Request the current manufacturer documentation and we’ll send the latest revision for your records.

📄

PrimeTac 520 — Spec Sheet, SDS & FDA Letter

Technical data, safety documentation, and FDA §175.105 compliance letter from the manufacturer

Request Documents →

ℹ️ Dual-Use Tape — Screen Blockout & Carton Sealing

The 520 is the dual-purpose workhorse: blockout for screens, sealing for shipping boxes. For other screen-tape options (PMI 321 crepe blockout, PMI #560 RED universal, PMI 451 Split, PMI Quick Rip), see our full tape category.

Questions about specs, FDA compliance, or bulk pricing?

Call (512) 454-0505 or email [email protected].

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this primarily a screen tape or a packing tape?

Both. The 520 is a true dual-purpose tape — it’s marketed and used as a screen-printing blockout tape (sealing open mesh, covering pinholes, frame masking), and the same solvent natural rubber adhesive that makes it work on screens also makes it work as carton/case sealing tape. Most shops that stock it use it for both.

Does it really come off cleanly during reclaim?

Yes, when peeled off before the screen goes into reclaim chemistry. The pure rubber adhesive holds firmly during printing but releases cleanly when pulled — leaving no residue on the mesh. Best practice: pull the tape first, then send the screen to wash-out.

Should I use the 3″ or 2″ version?

For larger screens and wider carton seams, the 3″ width covers more area per pass. For everyday blockout and standard cartons, use the 2″ × 110yd version where 2″ is plenty.

Will it work with water-based and discharge inks?

Yes. The 520 holds up across all ink systems — plastisol, water-based, discharge, and solvent-based. For premium universal-use screen tapes specifically designed for all ink systems and emulsions, also consider PMI #560 RED.

How does it compare to PMI 321 Blockout?

Both are blockout tapes. The 520 is a clear BOPP film with solvent rubber adhesive — economical, see-through, dual-use as carton tape. PMI 321 is a crepe paper tape made in the USA — hand-tearable without a dispenser, slightly higher cost. Both work; the choice usually comes down to whether you prefer a clear film or a crepe paper backing.

What’s the difference between 501, 520, 540, 560?

Same adhesive chemistry, different film thickness. The 501 is 1.8 mil (economy carton sealing), 520 is 2.0 mil (this tape — screen blockout + medium-duty carton sealing), 540 is 2.4 mil (heavier), and 560 is 2.9 mil (heavy-duty). Most screen shops stock the 520 because of its dual-use practicality.

Will it work in my tape gun?

Yes — the 520 is a standard 3″ wide × 110 yard roll with a standard 3″ core, so it fits any common handheld 3″ carton-sealer (tape gun) and most automatic case sealers. For screen-room use, most printers apply it by hand without a dispenser.

Single roll or case of 24 — which should I buy?

If you’re testing the tape, start with a single roll. For active print shops — especially shops that print and ship daily — a case of 24 is the cost-effective default. You’ll burn through more rolls than you expect because of the dual-use nature: a roll at the press, a roll at the shipping bench.

How should I store it?

Store rolls in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight. Rotate stock first-in/first-out — natural rubber adhesives perform best when fresh, and older rolls can develop edge tackiness or harder unwind over time.

Need help choosing the right tape?

Call (512) 454-0505 or email [email protected].

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Primetac 520 Blockout Tape – 3″ Wide – Durable Solvent Blockout Tape for Screen Printing

Description

PrimeTac 520 Solvent Blockout Tape — 3″ × 110 Yards