• About
  • Press
  • Advertise

Craft Test Dummies

The Crafting Blog for Crafters, By Crafters

  • Craft News
    • CHA Coverage
    • Crafting for a Cause
    • Giveaways
    • CTD on TV
    • Quilt Market
  • Craft Product Reviews
    • Apps & Sites
    • Art Supplies/Mixed Media
    • Beads/Jewelry Products
    • Books, Magazines, Events
    • Comparisons
    • Crafty Tools
    • Fabric, Needle, & Quilting Arts
    • Food Crafts
    • Paints, Inks & Dyes
    • Paper Crafts
    • Polymer Clay & Tools
  • Craft Storage and Tips
  • Crafty People & Places
    • Crafty Field Trips
  • Kids Stuff
    • Hands On Crafts For Kids-TV show
  • Winter/Christmas
  • Home Decor
  • Food Crafting/ Party Crafts
  • Valentine’s /Sweetest Day
  • Spring/Easter
  • Wedding & Shower Crafts
  • Father’s Day Crafts
  • Baby & Shower Crafts
  • Mother’s Day Crafts
  • Patriotic crafts
  • Summer Crafts
  • Fall Crafts
    • Halloween Crafts
  • Jenny Sez
    • Sponsored Posts
  • Periscope Superfans Page
Home / Craft Product Reviews / What is Washi Tape? An Overview of Paper and Tissue Tape.

What is Washi Tape? An Overview of Paper and Tissue Tape.

November 5, 2011

In the past 12 months or so, “washi tape” has taken over the scrapbooking and stationery world. For those who haven’t heard of it, I thought I’d give you an overview of just what it is and perhaps why you might want to try it.

For starters, “Washi Tape” comes from Japan, is a paper tape that comes in pretty colors and patterns. It comes on a roll like regular sticky tape, and is often translucent. You can find it in 1/4″ widths up to 2 1/2 inches, and it feels more like masking tape than true “paper.” Since hitting the crafting world by storm, many major scrapbooking companies have come out with their own versions.

7 Gypsies brand

Hambly Screen Prints Brand

“Smash” brand by K & Co. (An EK Success brand)

Tim Holtz idea-ology

….you get the idea. So here are how some washi tapes look on light/dark papers, so you can get a feel of translucency.

I should also say that I’m purposefully avoiding covering paper ribbons or trims- paper embellishments that have adhesive on the back. They are usually text to cardstock-weight paper, and are a different creature altogether.

So hopefully now you have a better idea of these washi/tissue/paper tapes, and will start thinking of some fun ways to use them! Here are a few photos of how I’m using them in my daily crafting:

Dress up a little journaling pocket.

 

Add some “pow” to a book cover…..

…or add a quick embellishment to a blank journal page.

You can also use it like regular sticky tape, and turn plain deli paper into elegant gift wrap!

Have you been bitten by the Washi Tape bug? How do you like to use it?

If you’d like to learn how to make your OWN washi/ paper tape, visit my tutorial HERE.

Or check out my tutorials using washi tape:

  • washi covered mint tins
  • three greeting cards with washi tape
  • wrangling cords with washi tape
  • decorative desk accessories using washi tape
  • make scented washi tape

  • About the Author
  • Latest Posts

About Jenny

Chief Craft Test Dummy, Craft Evangelist, Founder, Editor, bottle-washer, trouble-maker, and creative whirlwind.
  • Spooky Spider Halloween Bookmark Craft - October 24, 2018
  • Review and Demo of LDRS Hybrid Ink Pads - October 15, 2018
  • Review and Demo of Nuvo Hybrid Inks - October 1, 2018
  • Craft Studio Tour and Organization Ideas - September 20, 2018
  • Wax Paper Resist Background Technique - March 20, 2018
  • Comparison of Liquid Watercolor Markers/Pens - March 16, 2018
  • SAI Japanese Traditional Watercolor Brush Markers- Review & Demo - February 23, 2018
  • Rinea Metallic Foil Paper & Ghost Ink Review - February 21, 2018
  • Jane Davenport debuts at Creativation 2018 & Watercolor Card - February 13, 2018
  • Creativation 2018: New Product Showcase - January 20, 2018

Posted in Craft Product Reviews, Paper Crafts |

Comments

  1. Kat says

    November 5, 2011 at 19:27

    Okay. The one thing I would use it on is plain wrapping paper. I like to use beige/brownish recycled paper and the tape would splash it up a bit. Thanks for the post and info. Always wondered what it was for!

  2. Frank Palmer-Goldstein says

    November 9, 2011 at 16:06

    I wanted to use some on a wooden box project to decorate around the edge of the lid, but the tape doesn’t stick well on a surface that isn’t 100% flat, so I wound up sticking it down onto a thin layer of Mod Podge (matte) and then sealing it with another thin layer.
    I do like using it on paper, but always on the lookout for more diverse uses.

  3. Karen says

    February 17, 2012 at 14:34

    This was a helpful article, thanks! I was wondering if it sticks permanently or if it will peel up. I live in an apartment with white kitchen cabinets and I am trying to find something that sticks but not permanently to do something to add some interest to the kitchen. I cannot paint anything, but I could maybe put a border on the cabinets if it is removable when/if we ever leave here. Thanks!

  4. Jenny says

    February 17, 2012 at 14:39

    Karen- washi tape is removable, but I’m not sure if it might grow more “permanent” over time. I don’t think it would peel up, though. However, making or buying vinyl stickers would be a safe way to add some pizzazz to you painted cabinets, and would be easy to remove. See my post here on how I cut vinyl decals for my son’s skating helmet: http://www.crafttestdummies.com/crafts-for-kids/cricut-vinyl-upcycled-bike-helmet/

    Good luck! -Jenny

  5. Signe Ivanovitch says

    March 23, 2012 at 22:15

    Eva told me to check out this post when I asked about Washi Tape. You answered all my questions about it,. Thanks!

    Thanks again Jenny for the lesson!

  6. LaBoheme says

    May 29, 2012 at 17:59

    @Karen I have just the thing for you.

    Here is a post about decorating with fabric and cornstarch!

    http://manhattan-nest.com/2010/06/01/the-doors/

    This guy used it on windows, but it would totally work on walls or cupboards too. It sticks securely, but comes off with just water!

  7. Donna Coker says

    July 4, 2013 at 09:21

    I keep seeing crafts calling for Washi Tape, but had no idea what it was you answered all my questions. Thank YOU

  8. Kathy says

    January 2, 2014 at 16:16

    I’m looking at putting this tape on products I sell. I’m trying to find out if there are any problems with copyright or other legal reasons I can’t use it.
    Thanks!

  9. Jenny says

    January 4, 2014 at 18:55

    Nope- no legal issues. However, remember the adhesive on washi tape is of the “removable” type- it might peel up if you don’t use a sealant.

  10. mehgan says

    August 21, 2014 at 13:56

    I need to tape off 1/2″ lines to make a grid on a painted wooden board. But I can’t find 1/2″ masking tape. Would this stick well to a painted wooden surface, and then be a good tape to paint over and peel off for a nice clean line?

  11. Jenny says

    August 24, 2014 at 15:25

    It is a repositionable tape and you could theoretically use it as a masking tape. But I can’t vouch for a nice clean line-it’s not very strong and could rip when peeling off. Stick with Frog Tape for textured surfaces for best results.

ctd-headshot-round

Hi! I’m Jenny, the co-host of Hands On Crafts for Kids on PBS and the Head Dummy behind CraftTestDummies.com where you’ll find craft product reviews, tutorials, and craft industry news.

ctd-fb ctd-pin ctd-twitter cts-insta ctd-youtube ctd-g ctd-email

Search

ctd-subscribe
Want weekly craft projects delivered straight to your inbox?

YouTube

Disclosure

CraftTestDummies is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

jenny-headshot-square

Jenny Barnett Rohrs is Head Dummy and Pied Piper behind CTD, which focuses on reviews, tutorials, and craft industry news. Jenny has appeared on HSN, Scrapbook Soup PBS series, and is currently the co-host of Hands On Crafts for Kids on PBS.

ctd-fb-30  ctd-pin-30  ctd-twitter-30  cts-insta-30  ctd-youtube-30  ctd-g-30  ctd-email-30  ctd-rss-30

Copyrighted Content Permission All images and tutorials on this blog are copyrighted material. Please contact me if you would like to borrow any media (photos, video or audio files), tutorials, or ideas from this blog. 99% of the time I would be happy to allow you to use one photo with appropriate credit and link back to CraftTestDummies.com (preferably to the same post it was borrowed from.)
clever-network  linqia  viglink

All content copyright © 2015 Craft Test Dummies | Privacy Policy | Disclosures | Site design by XO Sarah

MENU
  • Craft News
    • CHA Coverage
    • Crafting for a Cause
    • Giveaways
    • CTD on TV
    • Quilt Market
  • Craft Product Reviews
    • Apps & Sites
    • Art Supplies/Mixed Media
    • Beads/Jewelry Products
    • Books, Magazines, Events
    • Comparisons
    • Crafty Tools
    • Fabric, Needle, & Quilting Arts
    • Food Crafts
    • Paints, Inks & Dyes
    • Paper Crafts
    • Polymer Clay & Tools
  • Craft Storage and Tips
  • Crafty People & Places
    • Crafty Field Trips
  • Kids Stuff
    • Hands On Crafts For Kids-TV show
  • Winter/Christmas
  • Home Decor
  • Food Crafting/ Party Crafts
  • Valentine’s /Sweetest Day
  • Spring/Easter
  • Wedding & Shower Crafts
  • Father’s Day Crafts
  • Baby & Shower Crafts
  • Mother’s Day Crafts
  • Patriotic crafts
  • Summer Crafts
  • Fall Crafts
    • Halloween Crafts
  • Jenny Sez
    • Sponsored Posts
  • Periscope Superfans Page