A packaging machine and method are provided for wrapping, folding and taping a flexible photoconductive belt loop to prevent light from shocking such photoconductive belt loop during shipping and during loading into a machine. The packaging machine for the method includes mandrels holding cylindrical cores for supporting, tensioning and folding the flexible photoconductive belt loop; devices for feeding a light occluding and protective flexible sheet over the flexible photoconductive belt loop to form a belt and sheet assembly; an aperture former for forming a loop tacking aperture through a loop tacking portion of one end of the light occluding and protective flexible sheet; folding and end-tucking mechanisms for folding the belt and sheet assembly into a tightly folded pattern around the cylindrical cores; and first and second taping stations for applying an end pull tab tape, and a loop tacking tape over the loop tacking portion and through the loop tacking aperture onto a portion of the light occluding and protective flexible sheet underneath the loop tacking portion thereof.