Packaging a strip of material

A package (10) of a continuous strip (11) of material comprising a plurality of parallel stacks (20, 21, 22, 23) side by side, each containing a length of the strip (11) which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack (20, 21, 22, 23) is folded relative to the next portion about a line across the strip (11) and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The tape (11) is continuous through each stack (20,21,22,23) and is connected by a joint (46) from the end of one stack to the beginning of the next stack. The package (10) is compressed to reduce the height of the stacks (20,21,22,23) and held in the compressed state by an airtight sealed bag (40). The preferred packaging device uses a package (10) to remove the tape (11) in the orientation in which it is designed with the bottom of the stack (20, 21, 22, 23) resting on a support, and the package (10) is tilted to one side so that the stacks (20, .... 21,22,23) lean against a support surface (81) for stability. The joint connecting members (44, 45) extend along one end of the package (10) and are folded to accommodate the difference in height between the stacks.