Creative Ways to Use Washi Tape
Washi tape. You’ve seen these Japanese decorative tapes all over Pinterest and crafting blogs, and maybe you even have a secret stash somewhere (we certainly do). They’re adorable to look at and almost too cute to use, but why keep them to yourself? Here are some ideas for how to use your washi tape that venture beyond the realm of paper crafts and scrapbooking.
Table of Contents
- For the Home
- For the Office
- For Parties
- For Packaging
For the Home
Tree
Spruce up your living space with a washi tape tree! Make holiday trees, trees to keep track of kids’ heights, or trees just because. You can even swap out the leaves to mimic the changing seasons. We chose a thicker tape with a brown tone to make our tree. For the trunk, we layered two of the tapes side by side, while using only one layer for the branches. (The leaves were made from colored construction paper.)
Products used: MT Ex Washi Tape – Encyclopedia Plant, MT Ex Washi Tape – Encyclopedia Animal.
Picture Frames and Magnets
Plain picture frames instantly brighten up when you add colorful washi tape. Choose patterns that match the mood of your photos. You can also display pictures on your refrigerator or other magnetic surfaces using washi tape by fixing it to strip magnets (we cut some up using a magnetic roll tape). It gives a fun, scrapbook look to any space.
Products used: MT Patterns Washi Tape – Flower Crest Hanabishi Tomekon (Blue) and Mark’s Maste Washi Tape – Basic Colorfully Colorful – Pattern Mix – Pack of 8.
Light Switches and Outlets
Flex your inner interior decorator muscles by fancying up your light switches and outlets. Washi tape adds a pop of fun and personality to an otherwise bland wall. If you choose to cover the whole outlet or light switch, try to pick a washi tape that features a pattern that lines up easily, like the blue patterned tape shown in the picture. For the light switch, we used a scalloped washi tape as a fun and interesting border.
Products used: Mark’s Maste Washi Tape – Basic Nostalgic Warm – Pattern Mix – Pack of 8, Pine Book Nami Nami Deco Washi Tape – Camera.
Coasters
For those who love adding extra touches when entertaining guests, embellish white coasters with washi tape. Your guests will want to know where these delightful coasters came from and subsequently be impressed by your creativity. Vary the designs on the coasters so guests will remember exactly which one is theirs!
Products used: Kurochiku Japanese Pattern Washi Tape – Ichigokarakusa (Strawberry Arabesque), Kurochiku Japanese Pattern Washi Tape – Tsubaki (Camellia)
For the Office
Keyboard
Color code your keyboard with different washi tapes! Whether you have a system for separating vowels, consonants, and numbers, or just want to spice up your keyboard, it’s a great way to keep your desk visually interesting. Make sure the washi tape you use is extra sticky, or for a more permanent solution, you can reinforce it with double-sided tape.
Products used: Mark’s Maste Washi Tapes – Multi.
Notebooks
Instead of regular (and boring) labels, line the spines of your notebooks with washi tape to color code and organize them. They’ll add a pretty pop of color to your office shelves. Washi tape is meant to be removable, so if you want them to stay on your notebooks, add a layer of double-sided tape for extra security.
Products used: Kurochiku Japanese Pattern Washi Tape – Tsubaki (Camellia), Kurochiku Japanese Pattern Washi Tape – Kyouame (Kyoto Candy), Kurochiku Japanese Pattern Washi Tape – Maiko (Apprentice Geisha).
Corkboard
Corkboards are useful for pinning notes and memos as well as keepsakes and pictures. Make the board your own by decorating it with washi tape. You can do crisscross patterns, diagonal layouts, or simply line the frame!
Products used: MT Ex Washi Tape – Encyclopedia Solar System.
Other Office Items
Washi tapes can be used on any of your office supplies. For example, instead of relying on flimsy sales receipt bookmarks, create your own using paper clips and washi tape. Your office folder can also be jazzed up by using washi tape on the tabs to make your own coding system. You can even add some personality to bare pen holders with washi tape designs. The possibilities are endless!
Products used: Kurochiku Tape, MT For Kids Washi Tape – Number, MT Deco Washi Tape – Mosaic Greyish, Kurochiku Japanese Pattern Washi Tapes.
For Parties
Vases
Deck out your vases and jars with washi tape for a lively party look! Place them around the party area as fun and unexpected pieces of decor. You can switch out different tapes for different kinds of parties, making them super versatile.
Products used: Mark’s Maste Washi Tape – Basic Nostalgic Warm – Pattern Mix – Pack of 8.
Picks and Bunting
Washi tape is perfect for adding little touches to your theme. Fold little strips of washi tape over picks and cut out a flag shape to stick in cupcakes or other small desserts for a charming look. You can also use them to create bunting for larger desserts such as whole pies, or to connect two pieces of dessert. They’re perfect for laying out stunning table spreads.
Products used: MT Olle Eksell Collaboration Washi Tape – Work & Fika and MT Patterns Washi Tape – Flower Crest Hanabishi Kiku (Chrysanthemum Yellow).
Cups
Transform boring paper or plastic cups by lining them with washi tape! It’s a great way to pull together the look for your party and stick to the theme. We cut our tape into little triangle flags and pasted them on the paper cup going up and down to mimic the look of a garland. We’re smitten by the resulting lovely and vintage feel.
Products used: Kurochiku Japanese Pattern Washi Tape – Tsubaki (Camellia)
Clothespins
Wooden clothespins are wonderful for displaying small items such as Polaroid pictures, but there are times when you don’t want such a bland look. The simple solution is to stick the desired washi tape on them to give a completely different effect. You can vary the tapes for a contrasting look.
Products used: MT Patterns Washi Tape – Dot Black.
For Packaging
Gift Wrapping
If all you have at home is kraft paper or single color wrapping paper, line it with washi tape to boost its charm! You can use the same or a similar tape to line the accompanying gift label for a cohesive finish.
Products used: Mark’s Maste Washi Tape – Basic Colorfully Colorful – Pattern Mix – Pack of 8, Mark’s Maste Washi Tape – Multi – City 2 – Pack of 3.
Favor Boxes
Decorate plain favor boxes with washi tape to match the theme of your party or to simply add a personal touch. There are various ways you can use washi tape on the boxes. You can line the whole box, just the lid or edges, or even the inside for an unexpected surprise. You guests will definitely want to keep these unique boxes as keepsakes!
Products used: MT Deco Washi Tape – Mosaic Bright, MT For Kids Washi Tape – Alphabet A-M.
Cellophane and Paper Bags
Clear plastic bags are ideal for storing and displaying food favors, so why not elevate it by adding a cute washi tape lining? Small paper bags are great for doing this as well. If you use paper bags, you can seal them using a piece of the same washi tape that you lined it with. This really helps to pull together the look.
Products used: Kurochiku Japanese Pattern Washi Tape – Maiko (Apprentice Geisha).
Candy Wrappers
Homemade candies make excellent favors, especially with a washi tape wrapper! Simply cut up pieces of wax paper to wrap the candies and secure it by creating the classic twist shape that everyone will recognize. Stick washi tape to the center for a one-of-a-kind look. You can use the same design or different designs to denote different candies.
Products used: Mark’s Maste Washi Tape – Basic Colorfully Colorful – Pattern Mix – Pack of 8.
Wrapping Up
There are many more ways to use these fun paper tapes, and we hope we got your creative juices flowing with our suggestions. Let us know how you use your washi tape in the comments below!
| Product | Width (mm) | Length (m) | Edge Style | Used In | Stickiness Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kurochiku Japanese Pattern Washi Tape – Ichigokarakusa (Strawberry Arabesque) | 15 | 10 | Straight | Coasters | Moderate |
| Kurochiku Japanese Pattern Washi Tape – Kokeshi (Doll) | 15 | 10 | Straight | Other Office Items | Moderate |
| Kurochiku Japanese Pattern Washi Tape – Kyouame (Kyoto Candy) | 15 | 10 | Straight | Notebooks, Other Office Items | Moderate |
| Kurochiku Japanese Pattern Washi Tape – Maiko (Apprentice Geisha) | 15 | 10 | Straight | Notebooks, Cellophane Bags | Moderate |
| Kurochiku Japanese Pattern Washi Tape – Tsubaki (Camellia) | 15 | 10 | Straight | Coasters, Notebooks, Cups | Moderate |
| Mark’s Maste Washi Tape – Basic Nostalgic Warm – Pattern Mix – Pack of 8 | 15 | 7 | Straight | Outlets, Vases | High |
| Mark’s Maste Washi Tape – Basic Colorfully Colorful – Pattern Mix – Pack of 8 | 15 | 7 | Straight | Gift Wrapping | High |
| Mark’s Maste Washi Tape – Multi – City 1 – Pack of 3 | 15, 20, 25 | 7 | Straight | Keyboard | High |
| Mark’s Maste Washi Tape – Multi – City 2 – Pack of 3 | 15, 20, 25 | 7 | Straight | Gift Wrapping | High |
| Mark’s Maste Washi Tape – Multi – City 3 – Pack of 3 | 15, 20, 25 | 7 | Straight | Keyboard | High |
| Mark’s Maste Washi Tape – Multi – City 4 – Pack of 3 | 15, 20, 25 | 7 | Straight | Keyboard | High |
| MT Deco Washi Tape – Cross Carmine | 15 | 10 | Straight | Picks | Extremely High |
| MT Deco Washi Tape – Mosaic Bright | 15 | 10 | Straight | Favor Boxes | Extremely High |
| MT Deco Washi Tape – Mosaic Greyish | 15 | 10 | Straight | Other Office Items | Extremely High |
| MT Deco Washi Tape – Tile Green | 15 | 10 | Straight | Picture Frames, Keyboard, Vases, Candy Wrappers | Extremely High |
| MT Ex Washi Tape – Encyclopedia Animal | 30 | 10 | Straight | Tree | Extremely High |
| MT Ex Washi Tape – Encyclopedia Plant | 30 | 10 | Straight | Tree | Extremely High |
| MT Ex Washi Tape – Encyclopedia Solar System | 30 | 10 | Straight | Corkboard | Extremely High |
| MT For Kids Washi Tape – Alphabet A-M | 15 | 10 | Straight | Favor Boxes | Extremely High |
| MT Olle Eksell Collaboration Washi Tape – Work & Fika | 15 | 10 | Straight | Picks | Extremely High |
| MT Patterns Washi Tape – Dot Black | 15 | 10 | Straight | Clothespins | Extremely High |
| MT Patterns Washi Tape – Flower Crest Hanabishi Kiku (Chrysanthemum Yellow) | 15 | 10 | Straight | Clothespins | Extremely High |
| MT Patterns Washi Tape – Flower Crest Hanabishi Tomekon (Blue) | 15 | 10 | Straight | Picture Frames | Extremely High |
| MT Deco Washi Tape – Tile Green | 15 | 10 | Straight | Picture Frames, Keyboard, Vases, Candy Wrappers | Extremely High |
| Pine Book Nami Nami Deco Washi Tape – Camera | 8 | – | Scalloped | Light Switch | High |
SOURCE:http://www.jetpens.com/blog/creative-ways-to-use-washi-tape/pt/698