Washi tape has taken the crafting and stationery world by storm. Originating from Japan, it’s known for its delicate beauty, ease of use, and ability to transform everyday items into something extraordinary. Whether you are a seasoned crafter or someone new to the stationery scene, washi tape offers endless possibilities to enhance your creativity. In this blog, we will explore the different ways you can use washi tape, with a special focus on some of our top-selling brands at Bookbinders Design, including MT Masking Tape, Yohaku, BGM, Meow Illustration, Pion and Dodolulu.
What is Washi Tape?
Before diving into its uses, let’s first explore what makes washi tape so unique. The term "washi" comes from "wa," meaning Japanese, and "shi," meaning paper. Traditionally, washi tape is made from natural fibers, including bamboo, hemp, and the bark of trees such as the mitsumata shrub or gampi tree. Unlike regular adhesive tapes, washi tape is easily removable, repositionable, and tearable by hand, making it both functional and decorative. Its gentle adhesive won’t damage surfaces, which makes it an ideal tool for temporary decor or projects that need tweaking along the way.
Washi Tape vs. PET Tape: What’s the Difference?
While washi tape is known for its paper-based texture and gentle adhesive, PET tape offers a different experience. PET tape is made from a durable plastic material that gives it a glossy, waterproof finish, making it ideal for projects that require a more robust, long-lasting solution. Unlike washi, which has a matte, slightly textured surface, PET tape's smooth and shiny appearance can add a different visual and tactile element to your creations. Though both are versatile, PET tape tends to have a stronger adhesive and is great for projects where longevity and water resistance are key, whereas washi tape excels in its repositionability and ease of removal.
1. Journaling and Planner Decoration
One of the most popular uses for washi tape is in the realm of journaling and planner decoration. Whether you're bullet journaling or maintaining a daily planner, washi tape can add a touch of personality to your pages. Create borders, section off important dates, or highlight key moments with vibrant, pastel, or patterned tapes. The beauty of this tape lies in its variety—ranging from minimalist styles to elaborate, artistic designs, making it easy to match with your aesthetic.
For journaling, brands like Yohaku, Pion, Meow Illustration, and Dodolulu offer endless possibilites:
- Yohaku is known for its minimalistic, muted designs that often feature delicate, abstract patterns. Its tapes are perfect for adding subtle, refined accents to a journal or planner layout.
- Pion brings a more elegant, floral touch to journaling, with tapes featuring soft, nature-inspired designs that make each page feel fresh and serene.
- Meow Illustration and Dodolulu offer playful, whimsical designs perfect for creating fun, colourful spreads. These tapes often feature quirky illustrations and charming characters, making them ideal for adding a touch of humor and personality to your pages.
2. Creative Gift Wrapping
Washi tape can elevate your gift-wrapping game in ways that ribbon or traditional bows might not. It allows you to personalize the wrapping paper itself or create decorative seals that hold your wrapping together. Use washi tape to create simple patterns like stripes, zigzags, or checkerboard designs. You can even layer different tapes to create an intricate and unique look for your packages.
If you want to follow a natural theme, Meow Illustration's floral and botanical designs are a perfect choice, especially when paired with natural, kraft paper. These tapes add a gentle, earthy touch to your gift wrapping, making them feel thoughtful and personalised. For a more playful and whimsical touch, Dodolulu and Pion offer charming designs featuring imaginative characters. Their tapes are ideal for adding personality to a child’s gift or for someone who appreciates a touch of fun and creativity.
3. Personalising Notebooks and Stationery
Notebooks, folders, and other stationery items often serve practical purposes, but washi tape can turn them into personalized, stylish pieces. You can use it to decorate the cover, create custom dividers, or even mark the edges of pages to make finding specific sections easier. Washi tape allows you to reflect your own personality and style onto what might otherwise be a plain, functional item.
When it comes to personalisation, we especially enjoy BGM's themed washi tapes. With whimsical patterns that often feature animals, florals, and seasonal motifs, these tapes make it easy to inject some fun into your notebooks. Whether you want to decorate the spine of a notebook or create a colourful bookmark, BGM's tapes offer the variety you need. For a subtle, elegant touch,
Yohaku's muted designs offer tapes with delicate patterns and colours.
Yohaku's aesthetic often leans towards vintage-inspired and abstract designs so are perfect for those who prefer a refined touch.
4. Wall and Home Decor
One of the most remarkable things about washi tape is how versatile it is beyond paper-based crafts. Washi tape’s gentle adhesive allows you to decorate walls without damaging the paint. It can be used to create wall art, such as geometric patterns, or even to frame photos or art prints without the need for nails or traditional frames. It’s an especially great option for renters who want to personalise their space but can’t make permanent changes.
MT Masking Tape is known for its durability and array of bold, solid colours, making it perfect for larger-scale projects like wall decor. You can create temporary murals, outline shapes, or use it to add pops of color to accent walls. It's easy removability ensures you can change your designs without any hassle.
5. Card Making and Scrapbooking
For scrapbookers and card makers, washi tape is a dream. Its flexibility and ability to adhere to various surfaces allow for endless possibilities in layering, pattern mixing, and embellishing. You can use washi tape to create borders, frame photos, or even as a base layer under embellishments. Its thin and semi-transparent nature can add subtle textures and depth to your pages.
Yohaku and BGM both offer tapes that cater to scrapbookers. For a softer, more vintage-inspired look, Yohaku's muted tones can be used to create delicate, subtle patterns on your walls or other surfaces. Whether you’re outlining a mirror or adding a decorative touch to your desk space, Yohaku tapes will bring a refined charm to your home. BGM's more playful tapes, with their fun patterns and bold colours, are ideal for adding a burst of personality to scrapbooking projects. Their tapes featuring natural elements like leaves or flowers bring a touch of nature into your designs.
6. Holiday and Seasonal Decorations
Washi tape is also a fantastic tool for creating seasonal decorations. Whether it's for holidays like Christmas, Halloween, or even birthdays, you can use washi tape to create buntings, garlands, or even DIY ornaments. Because it’s so easy to apply and remove, washi tape offers a quick and cost-effective way to add a festive touch to your home.
BGM's seasonal collections often feature thematic designs tailored to holidays, making it simple to find tapes that fit the occasion. Layer different tapes to create a holiday banner or accent your gift wrapping with a matching seasonal pattern. For a more whimsical take, Meow Illustration and Dodolulu bring a lighthearted approach to holiday decor. Their tapes, with their cute illustrations and vibrant colours, are perfect for crafting fun seasonal decorations that are bound to make any holiday brighter.
7. Kids' Crafts and Projects
If you have children, washi tape can be a fantastic addition to their craft supplies. It's easy to tear, doesn't require scissors, and sticks well to paper, cardboard, and other materials without causing frustration. From decorating school supplies to making cards for friends and family, the possibilities are endless. Children can mix and match different tapes to create patterns or scenes in their artwork.
MT Masking Tape's playful and colourful designs are particularly well-suited for kids’ projects. With tapes that feature cartoon characters, animals, and cheerful motifs, they’ll enjoy creating vibrant, imaginative works of art.
Washi Tape at Bookbinders Design
Washi tape is more than just a crafting supply; it’s a tool for creativity that offers endless possibilities. Whether you’re a planner enthusiast, a DIY decorator, or someone who just loves to add a personal touch to everyday items, washi tape can help bring your ideas to life. At Bookbinders Design, we are proud to offer a curated selection of high-quality washi tapes from MT Masking Tape, Yohaku, BGM, Meow Illustration, Pion and Dodolulu - each brand offering its own unique style, ensuring you’ll find the perfect tape for any project. And if you’re looking for ways to keep your growing collection of washi tapes organised, storing them in sticker release notebooks is a fantastic option. These notebooks have special release paper that allows you to store and reuse your washi without losing its adhesive quality. Explore our collection today and discover the joy of washi tape for yourself!
Questions? We’d love to hear from you, so don’t be shy! Contact us on Facebook, Instagram or via email at info@bookbindersdesign.com.au
