TL;DR version: Made of wa-shi, Japanese Paper (although the paper making technique actually originated in China), washi tape was invented in the early 2000s when an industrial tape company got approached by some lady crafters who wanted prettier tape for their book making projects. Strong, durable, resilient, colourful, and easy to use, washi tape is now super popular all around the world and it is incredibly simple to add it to your arsenal for junk journal pages and spreads.
If you’re ready to dive into the wonderful world of washi tape, let’s get started with a nerdy little primer on the history of this incredibly popular stationery…
The origins of washi tape
It all started in the land of the rising sun, Japan. That’s right, washi tape has Japanese roots (if you didn’t know that already). But how did actually it come to be?
Traditional Japanese paper making
First, we have to talk about the star of the show: washi paper. This paper is made from the bark of the gampi tree, the mitsumata shrub, or the mulberry plant. The bark is pounded into a fine pulp, mixed with water, and then spread onto bamboo screens to dry. The result is a strong, durable paper with a beautiful texture and a subtle sheen, which comes in three main types or “flavours” depending on the plant it was made from: ganpishi, kozogami and mitsumatagami.
Washi paper has been used in Japan for over a thousand years, although like so much to do with papercraft it actually originated in China and was brought to Japan around around 610 CE by proselytizing Buddhist monks. It was originally used for calligraphy, but over time, it became a popular material for a variety of crafts. From origami to lantern-making, washi paper has been an important part of Japanese culture for centuries.
How washi tape happened
One day, someone had a brilliant idea: why not take this beautiful paper and turn it into tape? And just like that, washi tape was born. It’s made by adding adhesive to one side of the paper, creating a versatile and decorative tape that can be used for a variety of purposes. Despite the age of washi paper, the tape is actually a relatively modern invention, originally developed in 2006 by Kamoi Kakoshi Co, who originally made industrial tapes and insect traps but got an email from a group of women using masking tape in their book making projects. Dead chuffed by this creativity, the company invited the ladies to their factory and asked them what they’d want in a more custom sort of crafting tape…and voila! Washi tape was born.
Washi tape quickly became hugely popular in Japan, and it wasn’t long before it made its way to other parts of the world, where its popularity only further exploded. Today, it is used by crafters and artists all over the world as a favourite for scrapbooking, card-making, and other paper crafts, and it’s also used for decorating everything from notebooks to furniture as well as – of course – finding its way into the arsenals of nearly all scrapbook and junk journaling crafters.
One of the reasons washi tape is so popular is because of its versatility. It comes in a wide range of colours and patterns, making it easy to find the perfect tape for any project. And because it’s made from washi paper, it’s strong and durable, making it ideal for use in a variety of applications. It can be torn easily as well as cut with scissors or craft knives, comes in an enormous range from intricately decorated tapes with motifs and illustrations to simple background patterns or plain colours, and is manufactured so widely that it is often surprisingly inexpensive for its quality.
What to know about washi tape
So what exactly makes this pretty tape so special? For a start, it isn’t just any ordinary tape like cellotape or duct tape.; it is a versatile and decorative craft supply that can be used for a huge variety of purposes limited only by your imagination. From scrapbooking to gift wrapping, washi tape has become a popular choice for crafters and DIY enthusiasts around the world.
Material and texture
The tape is of course made from traditional Japanese paper, which is known for its strength and durability. The paper is made from natural fibres, which are generally renewable and eco-friendly. This gives washi tape a unique texture and appearance that sets it apart from other tapes. It’s thinner than standard tape, and has a slightly translucent quality that allows it to blend seamlessly with other materials. This makes it perfect for adding a decorative touch to journal spreads and pages.
I didn’t realise that that the word “washi” comes from the Japanese words “wa” meaning “Japanese” and “shi” meaning “paper” – literally “Japanese Paper.” it has been used in Japan for over 1,300 years and is an important part of Japanese culture which is why it has so many rich varieties and associations rather than just being any old decorative stationery.
Colours and patterns
One of the most appealing characteristics of washi tape is the wide range of colours and patterns it comes in. From solid colours to intricate prints, there’s something for every style. Just a few of the most popular patterns include polka dots, stripes, floral designs, and geometric shapes. With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to find the perfect washi tape for any project or page. I’m a particular sucker for the tiny illustrated tapes with butterflies or plants on them, as they’re useful for so many possibilities, but it’s pretty common to get “continuous” repeated loops as well, like music notes or even handwritten text.
Because it isn’t opaque, you can combo it up to create your own unique designs. By layering different colours and patterns on varied backgrounds, you can create a one-of-a-kind look that will fit pretty much any journal aesthetic you can imagine, which is incredibly useful.
Durability and stickiness
Despite its delicate appearance, washi tape is surprisingly strong and durable. It’s made from high-quality materials that can withstand wear and tear while also being super easy to work with, making it perfect for long-term use. Additionally, the tape is gentle on surfaces, making it easy to remove without leaving behind any residue. This is especially important when using it on delicate background elements, such as paper or photographs, when you don’t want to leave “bits” behind.
Another great feature of is ease of repositioning. Unlike other tapes that lose their stickiness after being removed, washi tape can be repositioned multiple times without losing its adhesion. This makes it perfect for experimenting with different designs and layouts before you commit to a certain look for your spread – there’s a reason it is so popular with the try-and-adapt approach that junk journaling so often uses!
Tips for working with washi tape
It’s hardly the most complex material to get going with, hence its popularity, but here are a few things I’ve learned that would have been helpful to know when I first started fiddling about with washi tape for my initial junk journal.
Cutting and applying washi tape
When cutting, use sharp scissors to ensure a clean edge or, for a more “junky” or handmade look, you can generally tear it with your fingers to get a jagged or uneven, torn edge instead which works great for some aesthetics. To apply it, simply peel off the backing (if there is any; some rolls are just plain rolls you can use like regular tape) and place it on your project. If you make a mistake, don’t worry – washi tape can be easily removed and repositioned even when working with finicky materials like photographs. If you want to reuse sections you’ve already taken off a roll, you can store them on non-stick surfaces like wax kitchen paper and they’ll retain their adhesive. Handy!
You can even get washi sticker rolls which are individually cut stickers made of washi paper, rolled up tape style and ready to go, which is super neat. Just remember these still generally come out at least partially transparent, which is great for layering, but you may need to put the sticker onto a white background if you want the colour or pattern to really “pop out” on its own.
Storing and organising washi tape
Try searching for “washi tape storage” and you’ll be in there all week! There are all kinds of ways to store your washi tape, as it is resilient and hardy enough to not really need much special treatment. Keep it out of the sun so the prints and colours don’t fade… but otherwise that’s pretty much it. I started keeping mine in an old chocolates tin just so it wasn’t all over the place, then I got some special dispensers for the tapes I use most often so they sit on my craft desk and are easy to use. You can also get special segmented boxes or drawers with dividers that make it easy to find the tape you want, adapt household kit like kitchen roll holders or parchment paper boxes, use a thread rack, or just make your own washi tape storage system using simple dowel rods and string. It all depends how much space you have… well, and how much you’ve accumulated that needs storing…
There we have it – more than enough info and nerdy extra details to dive into using washi tape on your junk journal pages, spreads, covers, and wherever else you can think of. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or brand new to this whole making things malarkey, it really is one of those must-have materials that’s cheap, fun, and super easy to use, so grab some rolls and see what inspires you.
