What Is Washi Tape and How Do I Use It? Complete Guide 2026
Washi tape is one of those stationery discoveries that starts small and quietly takes over. One roll becomes five. Five becomes a dedicated drawer. The drawer develops a system.
If you've been washi-curious - or if you've had a few rolls for a while and want to get more from them - this is the complete guide. We'll cover what it is, where it came from, how to use it, how to choose between types, and answer the questions that come up most often.
What Is Washi Tape?
Washi tape is a decorative, low-tack adhesive tape made from traditional Japanese paper. It tears easily by hand, repositions cleanly without damaging most surfaces, and comes in an almost unlimited range of colours, patterns and widths.
The word comes from Japanese: wa (和) meaning Japanese, and shi (紙) meaning paper. So washi, literally translated, is Japanese paper - and it has a history going back centuries, long before anyone thought to make it into tape.
What Is Washi Tape Made From?
Unlike standard plastic sticky tape, genuine washi tape is made from natural plant fibres - typically the bark of the kozo (paper mulberry) tree, or occasionally bamboo or hemp. These fibres create a paper that's lightweight but surprisingly strong, with a soft matte texture that feels quite different from synthetic tapes.
This natural composition is part of why washi tape behaves the way it does: it tears cleanly along the grain rather than raggedly, it breathes rather than trapping moisture, and it sits flat on a surface without bubbling or peeling at the edges.
How Is Washi Tape Different From Normal Tape?
A few key differences worth knowing:
Adhesive strength. Washi tape uses a low-tack adhesive - strong enough to stay put, but gentle enough to remove without tearing paper or pulling paint off walls. Standard sticky tape, by contrast, bonds aggressively and is difficult to remove cleanly.
Repositionable. You can lift washi tape, reposition it, and it'll still adhere. This makes it forgiving in a way that most other tapes aren't.
Tearable by hand. No scissors required. Washi tape tears cleanly across the grain, giving a natural, slightly feathered edge that suits journalling and craft work beautifully.
Semi-translucent. Most washi tape is slightly see-through, which means the colour or pattern beneath shows through faintly - useful when layering designs.
Where Did Washi Tape Come From?
Washi paper itself has been made in Japan for over a thousand years, originally for writing, art and bookbinding. But washi tape is a more recent invention - and it has an unexpectedly charming origin story.
In 2006, a group of Japanese crafters and bookbinders were using standard masking tape in their work and wanted something more decorative. They contacted Kamoi Kakoshi, a manufacturer of industrial masking tape, and asked whether they could make a range in different colours and patterns using washi paper.
Kamoi obliged - and the first washi tapes were released. They spread through the Japanese craft community first, then internationally, and by the early 2010s had become a fixture of the global stationery world. The timing wasn't accidental: the rise of bullet journalling, paper planning and the broader stationery revival of the 2010s gave washi tape the perfect audience.
How to Use Washi Tape
This is where the real answer is: almost anywhere. But here are the most useful and popular applications, grouped by context.
Washi Tape for Journalling and Planning
This is probably the most common use. Washi tape adds colour, structure and personality to journal pages and planners without permanent commitment - if you don't like it, it lifts off.
Marking the current week or page. A strip of tape folded over the edge of a page makes a simple, beautiful page marker. Change it each week without leaving a mark.
Creating borders and frames. Run a strip along the edge of a page to frame a section, or use two strips to create a column. Great for separating habit trackers, to-do lists or notes sections.
Covering mistakes. Wrote in the wrong place, or want to start a section over? A piece of washi tape covers it cleanly and actually improves the look of the page.
Decorating monthly spreads. A strip of patterned tape across the top of a new month creates an instant header without any drawing required.
Attaching things to pages. Tickets, receipts, photos, pressed flowers - washi tape holds them in place without the permanence of glue.
Washi Tape for Cards and Gift Wrapping
Sealing envelopes. A strip of washi tape across the envelope flap is both practical and beautiful - particularly on luxury paper envelopes where a lick-and-seal feels unworthy of the paper. It also allows the envelope to be opened without tearing the flap, which matters when the envelope is as lovely as the contents.
Personalising gift wrap. A plain sheet of kraft or luxury wrapping paper decorated with a geometric pattern of washi tape can look extraordinary. Stripes, crosses, borders - no artistic skill required, just a steady hand and a good roll.
Making gift tags. Cut a small piece of card, fold a length of washi tape over the top edge, punch a hole and thread with ribbon. Done.
Adding detail to cards. A strip of contrasting washi tape across the bottom of a handmade card, or framing a handwritten message inside, elevates the whole thing.
Washi Tape for Home and Office
Labelling. Write on washi tape with a fine-tip pen or marker - it takes ink well. Use it to label jars, files, boxes or anything that needs a temporary or easily changed label.
Cable management. Wrap a short length of washi tape around charging cables to colour-code them or mark which end is which. Practical and oddly satisfying.
Wall decoration. Low-tack washi tape is safe for most painted walls. Use it to create geometric patterns, frames around artwork, or temporary wall decorations that can be removed without damage. Always test a small area first.
Decorating plant pots, notebooks and everyday objects. A plain notebook, a ceramic mug, a terracotta pot - washi tape transforms them quickly and can be changed when you want something new.
How to Choose the Right Washi Tape
Not all washi tape is the same, and a few things are worth knowing before you buy.
Width
Washi tape comes in a range of widths from around 5mm to 50mm or more. The most versatile general-purpose width is 15mm - wide enough to be visible and useful, narrow enough to work on journal pages without overwhelming them. Wider tapes (25–50mm) are better for gift wrapping and wall decoration. Narrower tapes work well for fine detail work and borders.
Pattern and Colour
Buy what you're drawn to, but a few practical notes: solid colours are more versatile than busy patterns and tend to get used more. Small-scale patterns work better in journals than large-scale ones. If you're building a collection, a mix of solids, geometric patterns and something more illustrative gives you flexibility across different uses.
Adhesive Quality
Cheap washi tape often has adhesive that's either too strong (difficult to reposition, damages paper) or too weak (falls off within days). A well-made washi tape should hold firmly but lift cleanly. If it tears the paper beneath when you remove it, the adhesive is too aggressive for the weight of paper it claims to work on.
Genuine Washi vs. PET Tape
You'll increasingly see "PET clear tape" or "transparent tape" described as washi tape - it isn't. PET tape is made from plastic film, not paper, and behaves completely differently. It's glossy rather than matte, doesn't tear by hand, and isn't repositionable in the same way. It has its own uses - particularly for overlaying printed images in journals - but it's a different product. If you're looking for traditional washi tape, check that it's paper-based.
Washi Tape FAQ
Does washi tape damage walls? In most cases, no. The low-tack adhesive is designed not to pull paint off surfaces, and it generally removes cleanly from painted walls, wood and glass. However, the condition of the surface matters - freshly painted walls, delicate wallpaper or surfaces with flaking paint can be affected. Always test a small area first and remove slowly.
Can washi tape be repositioned? Yes - this is one of its defining features. You can lift it, adjust it and re-stick it multiple times without it losing adhesion significantly, though the adhesive will weaken slightly with each repositioning.
Does washi tape work on paper without tearing it? Good quality washi tape should lift from most paper without tearing. The key is removing it slowly and at a low angle - pull it back on itself rather than lifting it straight up. Very thin or delicate paper may still be affected, so test first.
Is washi tape waterproof? No. Washi tape is made from paper and has a paper-based adhesive - it will deteriorate if wet. It's lightly water-resistant in the way that most coated papers are, but it's not suitable for waterproof applications. For outdoor use or anything likely to get wet, choose a different tape.
Can you write on washi tape? Yes - this is one of its most useful practical features. Most washi tape takes ballpoint, gel pen, fine-tip marker and even fountain pen ink reasonably well, making it useful for labelling. Some washi tapes have a slightly coated surface that resists bleed-through from wetter inks.
How do you store washi tape? The most practical storage for a small collection is a simple box or tin. For larger collections, dedicated washi tape dispensers, pegboards or display stands keep rolls visible and accessible. Keeping tape away from direct sunlight and heat will preserve both the colour and the adhesive.
How long does washi tape last? In normal conditions - away from heat, direct sunlight and moisture — washi tape will last for years both on the roll and once applied. The adhesive may yellow slightly over a very long period but this is generally not noticeable.
Where to Buy Washi Tape
If you're looking to start or expand a washi tape collection, our washi tape collection is a good place to begin - curated designs that work particularly well for journalling, gift wrapping and correspondence.
And if you're looking for somewhere to use it, our lay-flat notebooks and correspondence collection are made with exactly this kind of creative use in mind.
Still curious? Our guides to how to write the perfect letter and what to pack in your holiday stationery kit have more ideas for putting beautiful stationery to work.
