I can’t even begin to express how much I love washi tape. I use it anytime I get the chance to, whether that’s for journaling, cards, my kpop collection, or just because. To be honest with you, I didn’t realize that not everyone knew what washi tape was and just always considered it to be a staple in anyone’s stationery kit, similar to the way people would just have pencils, pens, or regular tape. But this is definitely not the case, so for those of you who are unsure about what washi tape is, here’s a quick washi tape 101 for you.
Washi Tape 101
Washi tape is a type of decorative tape that comes in many different patterns, colors, and styles. The term washi refers to traditional Japanese paper made from the fibers of the mulberry tree, but "washi tape" is now used to refer to a range of decorative adhesive tapes, regardless of their material.
Washi tape originated in Japan in 2006 from a masking tape company named Kamoi Kakoshi Co. under the name MT masking tape. It was created when a group of women requested that Kamoi Kakoshi produce more masking tape colors in a decorative version of their industrial masking tape for arts and crafts projects – all so they could create a book with pages designed with masking tape! This led to the creation of what washi tape is today and is now accessible all over the world.
It’s similar to masking tape but is thinner, easier to tear, and often more colorful and decorative. It comes in a wide variety of patterns, designs, and colors, making it a popular choice for a variety of crafting projects. Some washi tapes have metallic or glitter accents, while others are printed with intricate designs or patterns.
Washi tape typically comes in these different varieties:
Regular. Solid colors with no design or pattern; this type of washi is best for decorating plain items like notebooks and journals.
Patterned. This style usually features intricate printed designs and is great for use as an accent piece without covering up too much of your project's original design.
Striped/Dotted. These two styles have alternating stripes or dots running down their length and are great for adding dimensionality to projects with lots of straight lines like calendars or planners (or even wrapping gifts!).
One of the main benefits of washi tape is that it is easy to use and apply. It can be torn by hand, so you don't need scissors or other tools to use it. It is also repositionable, which means that you can easily adjust the tape if you make a mistake or want to move it to a different location. It’s an extremely versatile craft supply that can be used for a variety of projects and is a great way to add a touch of creativity to any project.
Here are some of the things you can do with washi tape:
Make cards, scrapbooks, and other paper crafts
Decorate notebooks, journals, and other stationery
Wrap gifts
Make labels
Decorate your home or office
Use it as a bookmark
Make your own washi tape designs
The possibilities are endless and this list doesn’t even cover everything you can use washi tape for, so get creative and have fun!
And, if you find yourself falling down the rabbit hole and end up buying too much washi tape, here are some organizational tips for how you can store your washi tape!
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