How to Use Washi Tape: Creative Ideas and Techniques
Washi tape's biggest selling point is also its most underrated one: it comes off cleanly. No sticky residue, no torn paper, no committing to a decision you can't undo. That single feature is what makes it worth having around for far more than wrapping paper - once you start using it, it tends to turn up everywhere.
Here are some of the best ways to use it, from the obvious to the less expected.
On Gift Wrap
The classic use, and still one of the best. A strip of washi tape along a seam does the job of ordinary tape while adding a finishing detail at the same time - no separate ribbon or sticker needed.
Try this: instead of taping a seam flat, run the tape along it at a slight angle, or crisscross two strips where the wrapping paper overlaps. It looks more considered than a straight line and takes the same amount of time.
In a Journal or Planner
Washi tape is a journalling staple for good reason - it adds colour and structure to a page without needing any drawing skill.
- Section dividers. A strip of tape across the top of a page marks a new week, month, or topic at a glance.
- Photo corners. Small torn pieces at each corner hold a photo or ticket stub in place without glue, and can be removed later if you want to rearrange the page.
- Border framing. Running a strip along the top and bottom of a page turns a plain entry into something that feels more finished.
On Plain Cards and Envelopes
A plain card or kraft envelope is an easy canvas for washi tape, and it's a nice way to personalise a card without needing to write or draw anything extra.
- A single diagonal strip across the corner of an envelope
- A row of short vertical strips along the bottom edge of a card, like a border
- Tape used to "frame" a small photo or pressed flower stuck to the front
For Organising and Labelling
Less decorative, but genuinely useful: washi tape tears easily by hand, comes in enough colours to colour-code by category, and lifts off cleanly when things change - which makes it better suited to labelling than most permanent tapes or stickers.
- Labelling storage boxes or file folders
- Colour-coding a shared calendar by person or type of event
- Marking pages in a book or notebook you're referencing regularly
A Few Techniques Worth Knowing
Tearing versus cutting. Most washi tape tears cleanly by hand, which is often quicker and gives a slightly imperfect edge that suits the material better than a scissor-straight line.
Layering. Because it's semi-transparent, washi tape can be layered - a strip of patterned tape over a plain colour, or two colours overlapping slightly, gives a different effect than either used alone.
Testing on paper first. Washi tape generally lifts off cleanly, but on some delicate or coated papers it's worth pressing a short test strip somewhere inconspicuous before committing to a design, particularly if you plan to remove it later.
The Most Important Thing
The whole appeal of washi tape is that it's low-stakes. It comes off if you don't like it, so there's very little reason not to experiment. Keep a few rolls somewhere visible rather than tucked in a drawer, and you'll find far more uses for it than you'd expect.
Looking to build a collection? Shop our washi tape range - designed in our North London studio and plastic-free throughout. Free UK delivery on orders over £50.