What is Washi Tape? How Do You Use It? How Do You Make Your Own Washi Tape?

Washi tape is a decorative tape that's easy to tear by hand and reposition on nearly any surface without harming it. It's often very colorful and mostly used to decorate things, like journals, gifts, cards, labels, and more. Washi tape is really easy to use, and is becoming increasingly popular with crafters all over the world as they discover its many uses.

Washi tape came out in 2006 in Japan, when some crafters in Japan made a book out of masking tape made by a company called MT. They wrote to the manufacturer and asked if they could do a factory tour, and then convinced them to make MORE making tape in fun colors and patterns. They agreed, and washi tape officially came out in 2008. I LOVE this story!

Washi tape is made out of a delicate, lightweight material. Originally it was made from traditional washi, which some people think of as rice paper, but is actually mulberry paper. But these days, most washi tape is made of hemp or bamboo. It's water resistant, but not water proof, so you don't want to soak it as that will weaken its adhesive.

The adhesive on washi tape is a low-tack, pressure sensitive adhesive, and unlike glue and other adhesives, it does not form a chemical bond with the surface. So you can remove it and reposition it easily. That also means it's not the strongest adhesive, so it's more of a decorative tape than one that provides any real strength. So it's a little like Scotch tape, except that Scotch tape is made from plastic and Washi tape is made from paper. Washi tape also bears some resemblance to masking tape, except it's really a lot thinner and it's not meant to mask anything out, like paint.

Washi tape can stick to lots of surfaces, including paper, glass, wood, plastic, and metal, without any residue.

Washi tape comes in a variety of sizes, everything from 5 mm (or under a quarter of an inch) up to 150mm (about 6 inches) or even a full foot wide, though those are rather unusual. Most washi tapes are about half an inch wide.

Where to get Washi Tape (contains my affiliate links):

00:00 - What is Washi Tape?
6:00 - Examples of washi tape
8:20 - How to use washi tape in crafting
12:30 - make your own with We R Memory Keepers printer
15:05 - Answers to Questions on washi tape

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Credits:
Introduction: PixelBytes (my child!)
Music: Cute by Bensound (licensed, royalty and copyright free)
Videography: Jennifer Marx on a Panasonic Lumix FZ-1000 DSLR 4K camera
Design: A Jennifer Maker original!

[susieavedikian]

So great you used to love in Japan! I had not desire to go but went with my hubby who had business there and girl…. Amazing place to purchase craft supplies!! Love our channel and your cute personality

[chelleysalvage]

I used to have my K & 1st graders use it to decorate their Winter holidays' gifts for their parents, before I retired. I love the mason jar idea.

[tamicalder]

Thanks for all of your educating really appreciate every one of them!!

[elizabethvallely]

Like that little printer so cute! I use Washi tape on my home made cards love it! Thank you for Sharing Jennifer hugs Liz x

[annrosie]

You are such a natural on video Jennifer - we are lucky to have someone like you share your creativeness and kindness with us!

[colleenaben]

I love love love both the snowflake 3d design and SNOW sign in the background.

[gerryannbrown]

Just watched day 9 party, wasn’t able to make the live stream. I loved the whole presentation and I especially loved learn about the washi tape. I have lots of it and hardly ever use it. Now I know so many uses for it. Thank for sharing with us❤

[kaylanger]

Hi Jennifer thank you for discussing Washi Tape! I love this product and started collecting it also. I didn't really know what to use it for, but I use it for holding paper pieces when I am making cards sometimes to keep the pieces in place temporarily. I recently began using it to decorate small boxes for small items in my craft stash. ~~kay~~

[trishamillera-usa]

I always wondered about the Cricut washi sheets and had no idea what to do with them! Now I do! Thank you!

[BeyondTshirts]

I love your videos, Jennifer! And like me, you have a hubby that helps too! Yesterday my hubs did my Dollar Tree shopping for me. He called me and we did a video chat while he shopped so I could "walk" through the store with him to show him what I needed.

Today he's helping me with DIY candles!

Have a Very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

[Linda-qqmg]

Thank you for sharing your lovely story and the interesting beginning of Washi tape.

[tracireich]

I love using washi tape - so many beautiful designs.

[theresataylor]

Great value, thanks for this
So beautiful
Why are so many washi tape needed by so many crafters

[brendanugent]

I’m so excited to watch you washi tape crafts. I have seen other crafts and yet I’m hesitant to do one. I’m not sure why. But maybe after today……

[HappyKlara]

I got my printmaker this week and I love it 🥰 such a fun to work with it 😊 and I have a lot of Washi-Tape too. Very good for Scrapbooking - so many lovely designs

[sharonmurphy]

I am using your videos to create squares for memory quilts for my adult kids! Recreating school and college logos. Loving my Cricut and these videos. Thank you

[selinasnowdon]

Great video Jennifer, I have so much Washi tape and don’t know what to do with it so very helpful

[GunnerHillTX]

Hi Jennifer! I posted a comment to let you know that the link to your Merry Maker Mingle page which is in the description above doesn't work, but my comment disappeared! 😮 Perhaps it was because I included the clickable link to the right page? Anyway... I thought you might want to know so you can fix it. Thanks again for all you do. You're definitely my favorite craft educator, by a huge margin!

[sunshinejenny]

Stop saying "Sorry". You are perfect as you are. You are allowed to make mistakes and you do not have to be perfect!! We love you no matter what!!!!

[cindymiminas]

Love watching your videos. I’ve learned so many tips and tricks on how to use my Cricut!!! ❤❤❤