Industry Trends

Gorilla Products & Printing FAQ: Tape, Glue, Posters & Envelope Tips

I manage office and packaging supplies for a mid-sized company — roughly $50k a year across 8 vendors. When I took over purchasing in 2020, I made a lot of mistakes ordering the wrong stuff or missing fine print. So I put together this FAQ covering the questions I get asked most (and a few I wish I'd asked sooner).

Does Gorilla tape work underwater?

Short answer: yes, but with caveats. Gorilla Tape (the original black stuff) is designed to be waterproof once applied. I've used it to patch a leaky hose underwater in a pinch — seriously, it held for weeks. But here's the thing most people miss: the surface needs to be clean and dry before you apply it. If you're trying to tape something that's already wet, the adhesive won't bond properly. For true underwater repairs (like a pool liner), you're better off with a specialized underwater repair tape. Gorilla Tape is water-resistant, not made for constant submersion. (This was back in 2023 when our maintenance guy asked — I tested it in a bucket. Worked fine for 48 hours. YMMV.)

Does Gorilla glue work on plastic?

It depends on the plastic. Gorilla Glue (the original polyurethane) bonds well to most hard plastics — think ABS, PVC, acrylic. But it struggles with polyethylene and polypropylene (the soft, flexible stuff like milk jugs or Tupperware). I learned this the hard way when I tried to fix a broken plastic storage bin — the glue just peeled off after a few days (ugh). Now I check the recycling number: #2 HDPE and #5 PP are tricky. For those, use Gorilla Super Glue with a primer, or epoxy. One more thing: Gorilla Glue expands as it cures, so clamp your pieces or you'll get a mess. A 5-minute check before gluing (matching plastic type) saves hours of cleanup.

How do I order an extra large poster for a trade show?

We had a last-minute booth request in 2024 — needed a 48x72 inch poster in 3 days. Here's what I learned: standard large format printing (posters over 24x36) usually requires a different setup than your typical flyer. Most online printers have size limits, so check their max dimensions first. For extra large posters, you'll likely need a wide-format printer. File resolution matters: 150 DPI is acceptable for posters viewed from a few feet away (industry standard for large format). A 48x72 poster at 150 DPI needs a 7200x10800 pixel image — make sure your designer sends it at the right resolution. Also, ask about mounting options (foam core or grommets) because hanging an oversize poster without proper backing is a disaster waiting to happen. (We used Gorilla's print service — they handled the size, but we paid extra for rush shipping. Worth it.)

Where can I find a blank free printable 100 envelope challenge template?

This one comes up a lot from our finance team. The "100 envelope challenge" is a savings method where you label envelopes $1 to $100 and randomly pick one each week to fill with cash. You can find free printable templates on sites like Pinterest or Etsy (just search "100 envelope challenge printable free"). But if you want to customize them with your company logo (for team challenges or employee incentives), you'll need editable PDFs. I recommend using Gorilla's custom printing service — we can print the envelopes themselves with the numbers and your branding, so you don't have to hand-label each one. That's the prevention-over-cure approach: pre-printed envelopes save 2-3 hours of manual work (and avoid the risk of losing a template file). For a free DIY version, check Canva or Microsoft Word templates — but make sure your printer can handle the envelope size (usually #10 or A2).

How to sign an envelope correctly?

This sounds basic, but you'd be surprised how many internal mail pieces come back because of improper addressing. The standard format for a business envelope:

• Return address: top left corner (your company name, address)
• Recipient address: center, left-aligned
• Stamp: top right

For "how to sign" — I think you mean how to write/sign the return address? If you're signing a personal note, you can hand-sign your name above the return address. But for official correspondence, use a printed label or pre-printed envelope. Our company switched to printed envelopes after a vendor rejected a handwritten one (cost us a $2,400 invoice dispute). Also, if you're using a window envelope, make sure the address shows through the window — no need to sign anything. And for that 100 envelope challenge, you'll probably just write the numbers on the front. (Pro tip: use a permanent marker, not ballpoint — bleeding happens.)

What about Gorilla plates — does Gorilla make printed plates?

This is a common point of confusion. "Gorilla plates" often refers to two things: (1) Gorilla brand's line of heavy-duty adhesive plates (like mounting plates for hooks), or (2) custom printed plates (like ceramic or plastic plates) from a company named Gorilla. We're the latter — Gorilla specializes in custom printing on various substrates, including paperboard, corrugated, and even rigid materials. We don't typically do dinnerware, but we can print on thick cardstock or plastic sheets that function as tags, signage, or packaging inserts. If you're looking for actual ceramic plates with your logo, that's usually a promotional products vendor, not us. But if you need custom printed "plates" for packaging (like a box insert or display), we've got you. The key here: clarify your material before ordering — paper vs. plastic vs. metal affects cost and turnaround. Most buyers focus on price per unit and forget to check the material compatibility (outsider blindspot).

Is there a checklist I should go through before placing a print or tape order?

Yeah, after a few expensive mistakes, I created a 12-point checklist that's saved us an estimated $8,000 in rework. Here's the condensed version:

1. Surface compatibility — For tape/glue: is the material plastic, metal, or smooth? Check the fine print.
2. Size limits — For posters: can the printer handle extra large? Check max dimensions.
3. Resolution — For print: is your image at least 300 DPI at final size? (150 DPI for large format)
4. File format — PDF with bleeds and crop marks? (Cura te ipsum — the press operator will thank you)
5. Turnaround time — Have you confirmed production days vs. shipping days?
6. Quantity breaks — Often 500 vs. 1000 is only a $10 difference. Check per-unit cost.
7. Proof approval — Do you need a digital proof? (Always say yes for first-time orders.)
8. Shipping method — Does it include tracking? Is signature required?
9. Rush fees — What's the premium? (Usually +50-100% for next day.)
10. Return policy — Can you reject if colors are off? (Color tolerance: Delta E < 2 for brand-critical.)

Spending 10 minutes on this checklist beats 5 days of correction. Bottom line: prevention over cure.