Washi tape itself is not a new invention. As with a lot of good stationery, it comes from Japan, where they take paper very, very seriously. Washi paper has been used for years, but the tape version came about in 2006, after a group of bookbinders started using masking tape and asked Kamoi Kakoshi Co. (a manufacturer of industrial tape) for something a bit nicer and in a greater variety of colours and patterns. It has since become hugely popular in the stationery community, most likely aided by the resurgence in paper-based planning and the bullet journal fanbase, a fact helped out by the fact that, although it is technically a luxury item, it has a relatively affordable price tag.In essence, washi tapes are decorative tapes that are made of paper and are easy to tear, and which have a low tack level of adhesion: it won’t pull the paint off if you stick it to a wall. Think of coloured or patterned masking tape and you’ve got it. Washi tapes are primarily used for decoration, but this is not in the same class of decor as the sparkly primary colour stickers you loved as a child, although the rush you get from obtaining new ones can be the same. Since first coming on the market, there are now literally thousands of designs to choose from: every geometric pattern imaginable, every shade of every colour, foiled or not, Christmas tapes, floral tapes, tapes of beloved characters, faux calligraphy tapes, even famous art reproduced in miniature.As well as displaying an array of patterns and colours, they also come in different widths, from super skinny (perfect for borders in diaries) to super-wide (DIY book cover anyone?). Some designs are created with an express purpose in mind, with images or text repeated on the tape so that you can use the tape multiple times without getting bored. Another popular design are those made for planners: days of the week on a roll, so that you can use it to label pages prettily, or boxes, slogans, doodles or features that your planner may not already have.Have you seen the small, patterned rolls of tape littering the table tops of many a stationery lover’s Instagram account? That there is washi tape. But what exactly is it and what is washi tape used for? Or maybe, you have heard the term washi tape mentioned, but felt cautious of asking what it was, for fear of looking out of touch. Well, lucky for you we have put together a small guide to what washi tape is and how it can be used, but be warned, once you own one, you’ll want to own them all. So, before you embark on your wrapping take a moment to make sure you've picked the right tools for the job, and once you try washi tape, you'll never go back!
What is washi tape used for?
Washi tape is much beloved by those in the craft community, as they are a great way to add a vintage, scrapbook or ephemera aesthetic to pretty much anything. And we mean anything. It’s an adhesive decorative tape, so the only limit is what you can think up, and some of the ideas out there mean thinking outside of the (stationery) box. Here are a few of our favourites:Stationery-based washi tape uses
Sealing envelopes - This is self-explanatory, use it to seal an envelope closed. But it can also be used to make your own envelopes from luxury paper. Simply cut out your chosen pretty paper from a template, fold, and use the tape to seal.
Wrapping gifts - There’s nothing more pleasing than a beautifully wrapped gift, and washi tape can help you achieve this. What could be prettier than a monochrome wrap, with gold or silver tape? I can't recommend this highly enough, especially when using heavier weight luxury wrapping papers, like ours, as it is way more secure and far more environmentally friendly than regular clear tapes.
DIY moodboards/post it notes - If you don’t own a pinboard, washi tape can be a cool way to attach things to a wall, such as notes that are not already sticky, or images to create a visionboard, collage or KanBan productivity space. Plus it comes in cool colours, so you can match your tape to the aesthetic of the moodboard, and it can be replaced in less time than it takes to rip off a bit of tape
Page edges - Here’s one for you: notebook, bullet journal and diary obsessives. Washi tape can be a fantastic way to highlight a page that you need to return to, such as a month-to-view layout. Simply fold a length of tape over the long edge of the page and press down securely on both sides. Now the page will be easily findable, even when the book is closed. Plus, it looks awesome when you’ve got a few in there. Practical, and pretty.
Highlighting blocks of time in planners - For those of you who rely heavily on time-blocked agendas, washi tape can be a quick way to highlight a set amount of time, especially when your regular highlighters may bleed through the paper, or don’t come in the shade that you’re after. Plus, it’s removable, should plans change.
Page decoration - this is classic washi tape territory. Keeping a diary, bullet journal or planner and you want to decorate the page, but your artistic skills are somewhat lacking? Whether to border a page, emphasise a section, underline a header, affix an image, attach an extra page or ephemera, or simply because it looks pretty: Washi tape is there for you.
Out of the box uses for washi tape
Labelling jars - Sometimes things need a label, but the ones on the market are too much of an investment or don’t match your style. Washi tape! Choose from literally thousands of colours or patterns, use a permanent marker and you’ve got yourself a fully matching label system. Pro tip - this looks particularly good in pantries - with white ink on black tape, a la, faux blackboard. This framed larger scale washi tape is the one for this task!
Labelling cables - Due to the flexible nature of washi tape, it can be used to label things that less dextrous labels cannot. Those unruly cables and plugs that gather sinuously behind the television? With a little bit of coloured coded washi tape, you will be able to see at a glance which cable is for what appliance.
Patterning keys - Similar to labelling cables, washi tape is good for differentiating house keys, simply stick the tape over the part that sticks out of the door. If you’re worried about getting them wet, you can always cover them with a bit of sellotape too.
Child's Play - Remember how much fun anything craft related was when you were a child. Washi tape can be a relatively tidy way to offer creative playtime for children, from the literal: with collages made from cut up bits of tape, to the practical: using the tape to secure paper that is being painted on. Without the worry that it is going to destroy the surface it is placed upon there is no reason not to. Which leads us on to…
Not all washi tape is created equal.
As with any item that has become vastly popular, it has also been mass marketed and reproduced to lower standards. Usually, this will mean the tapes will feature poorly printed patterns or so little glue as to not really even be called adhesive, but there are also some versions that are far too sticky, so always do a test strip before attaching it to anything you love: such as the paper in beloved notebooks or paint on walls. Not ideal. When looking for good quality washi tape that isn’t going to destroy whatever you stick it to, opt for the brands you can trust. MT masking tapes are our first port of call, it is the name that Kamoi Kakoshi Co. gave to their washi tape venture so it is considered the original and, by anyone’s standards, the best. Here is our full collection of MT Washi Tapes for you to choose from.
Is Washi tape recyclable?
If you still need convincing then lets talk sustainability. Broadly speaking, yes you can recycle washi tape - just pop it in with your other paper-based recyclables. There are caveats, however, as it all depends on the type of washi tape you are using. Traditional washi tape (which 90% of take marketed as washi tapes are) is made up of entirely biodegradable materials: paper and sugar paste glue, so they are absolutely recyclable, but lesser brands also include plastic or protective coatings over their patterns, or chemical based glues, neither of which are good for recycling.
By sticking to our collection you can be sure to be using a sustainable option that out does traditional clear tapes in versatility, design, effectiveness AND environmental friendliness. What's not to love!
So, have we answered the age old question: what is washi tape used for? Hopefully you are now an expert in all things washi tape.There truly is a washi tape for everyone, from the lover of bright colours, clashing prints, vintage reproductions or monochrome aesthetics. Even the most minimalist of notebooks can be accentuated with washi tape in a signature shade, making the tome truly your own.Here at Katie Leamon, we love anything that can add a bit of pattern or an alluring shade to our stationery, so we are big washi tape fans. We only stock the highest quality washi tape, meaning that you don’t have to worry about whether it is going to do the job you have in mind and if it is going to wreck your surfaces. Plus, they fit nicely in our tape dispensers, making them a perfect addition to any desktop. Whether you’re opting for a William Morris print to accessorise your stationery or a block gold tape to level up your gift wrapping game, we have just the thing for you.Be warned though, once you have that little decorative tape in your life, you’ll find it hard to do without. Maybe it’s best to order them in a set of three, just in case…
Out of the box uses for washi tape
So, have we answered the age old question: what is washi tape used for? Hopefully you are now an expert in all things washi tape.
There truly is a washi tape for everyone, from the lover of bright colours, clashing prints, vintage reproductions or monochrome aesthetics. Even the most minimalist of notebooks can be accentuated with washi tape in a signature shade, making the tome truly your own.
Here at Katie Leamon, we love anything that can add a bit of pattern or an alluring shade to our stationery, so we are big washi tape fans. We only stock the highest quality washi tape, meaning that you don’t have to worry about whether it is going to do the job you have in mind and if it is going to wreck your surfaces. Plus, they fit nicely in our tape dispensers, making them a perfect addition to any desktop.
Whether you’re opting for a William Morris print to accessorise your stationery or a block gold tape to level up your gift wrapping game, we have just the thing for you.
Be warned though, once you have that little decorative tape in your life, you’ll find it hard to do without. Maybe it’s best to order them in a set of three, just in case…