When deciding on the most appropriate security seal for your specific application, you must determine the the type of seal and the level of security it provides. There are many types of seals that must be considered, however the most popular and versatile option are pull-tight/pull-through seals. These seals are a tamper-evident seal with an adjustable plastic strap that can be inserted into the lock and pulled through to tightly secure the movement of the seal and object. However, other seal options provide limited adjustability and engage a barrier to entry for cargo and shipments.
Seal characteristics and selection
There are two primary choices when determining the correct seal for your business: tamper-evident or tamper-proof. These are two completely different options as the former provides a visual indicator of tampering, whilst the latter seal type is a preventative barrier to entry. Whilst tamper-proof seals are applied easily by hand, they often require bolt-cutters or
industrial tools for seal removal. If you wish to prevent access to highly valuable cargo then we would always suggest a seal from our Metal Barrier Seal range. These seals are widely used in the sealing of shipping containers and is governed by international regulations that control their validity for international transport (ISO/PAS17712 and C-TPAT regulations).
After selecting the best seal type, you must then consider the size and strength requirement for your seal. Security seals breaking strength (kg) relates to the tensile force they can withstand before breaking. Most plastic pull-tight seals have a low break strain and can therefore be broken apart easily by hand. However, some barrier seals can withstand up to 1,000kg of force before they break, including our HMRC Bolt Seal and Metal Cable Seal – 3.5mm.
Size of the tag and printing area: the tag is the head of the seal where the seal information and identification is printed. It usually has a more or less rectangular shape. If you require a substantial amount of print space then a larger tag size will allow for more print options such as logos/images and barcoding.
Strap size and diameter: The size of your strap/tail must be taken into account and are often provided in length and width (mm). The length of the strap must an appropriate length and width to fit the object or lock it is being inserted or applied to. For example, our Skyseal Security Seals – 200mm measure 200mm in length and 2mm in width, appropriate for most applications.
