Short answer: the easiest way to use washi tape and stickers in a journal is to give them a job: tape for borders, headers, tabs and holding photos in place, stickers for focal points, corners and labels. Pick a small palette, layer from wide to narrow, and leave some empty space so the page still breathes. Store tape on a rod or in a divided box and keep stickers flat by theme, and you will actually use what you own.
Key Takeaways
- Tape frames, stickers focus: use tape to build structure and stickers to draw the eye.
- Mix widths: skinny tape for lines and grids, medium tape for headers, wide tape for backgrounds.
- Limit the palette: two or three colors plus one metallic accent makes a spread look planned.
- Layer in order: background paper, then wide tape, then images and stickers, then fine details.
- Store by color or theme so you can see everything at a glance.
What is washi tape?
Washi tape is a thin, decorative paper tape named after washi, the traditional Japanese paper most commonly made from paper mulberry fibers (Wikipedia: Washi, accessed October 22, 2026). It tears by hand, and on smooth paper many tapes can be lifted and moved, so it is forgiving for journaling. For a full explainer on materials, uses and widths, read what is washi tape.
Our tape sets list the roll width and length on each product page. They range from 3 mm skinny rolls in the Gold Foil Skinny Washi Tape Set to a 40 mm strip in the Gold Foil Crane Washi Tape Set.
Washi tape by width
Width decides what a tape is good for. Skinny 3 mm tape draws lines and grids, 10 to 15 mm is the all-purpose width for borders and labels, 20 to 30 mm makes headers and photo frames, and 40 mm strips cover backgrounds. A mixed-width set lets you try all four on one spread.
| Width | Best uses |
|---|---|
| 3 mm (skinny) | Grid lines, dividers, underlines, thin frames |
| 10 to 15 mm | Borders, page tabs, labels, photo hinges |
| 20 to 30 mm | Header bars you can write on, wider frames |
| 40 mm | Background strips, statement borders |
The Vintage Washi Tape Set, 20 Rolls covers five widths from 0.5 to 2.5 cm, and the crane set above adds a 40 mm strip.
Washi tape techniques
1. Borders and frames
Run a strip along the top and bottom of a page to create a frame, or tape around all four edges of a photo or ticket. For a clean corner, overlap two strips and trim the end at an angle with scissors. Medium widths around 15 mm are a comfortable size for most borders.
2. Headers and title bars
Lay a strip of medium or wide tape across the top of the page and write the date or title on it with a fine marker, or on a label stuck on top. Tape with a light background is easiest to write on. A brass stencil ruler helps you trace even letters and numbers.
3. Tabs and page markers
Fold a short piece of tape over the edge of a page so half sits on the front and half on the back. Leave a little tab sticking out and write the section name on it. This works well for monthly sections, travel days or recipe categories.
4. Hinges for photos and ephemera
Tape only one edge of a photo, receipt or letter so it lifts like a flap. You can then write a note underneath. This keeps keepsakes in the journal without hiding your writing.
5. Skinny-tape grids and dividers
Thin tape is perfect for drawing straight lines without a ruler. Use it to split a page into a weekly layout, to make a habit tracker grid, or to underline a heading. Gold foil skinny tape adds a quiet shine without overpowering the page.
6. Wide-tape backgrounds
Lay several strips of wide tape side by side to cover a section of the page, then put a photo, quote card or sticker on top. This is a quick way to add pattern to a plain page without paint or glue.
7. Envelopes and pockets
Fold a small piece of paper into a pocket and seal the sides with washi. Pockets hold tickets, tea bag tags or small cards. You can also seal real letters and gift wrap with a strip of tape.
Sticker and ephemera ideas
Corner stickers
Corner stickers frame photos, cards and tickets with almost no effort. Put one on two opposite corners for a light touch, or all four for a classic album look. Our Vintage Floral Corner Stickers are made for this, and our guide on how to use photo corners shows more ways to frame photos and keepsakes.
Seal and label stickers
Round and square seal stickers are useful for closing envelopes and pockets, marking important days, or labeling the front of an insert. A small box such as the Vintage Seal Sticker Box fits easily in a journal kit.
Collage and parchment layers
Translucent parchment paper softens what is underneath and adds depth. Try this order: a patterned collage paper as the background, a piece of parchment over part of it, then a sticker or a short quote on top. The Vintage Collage Paper Pack pairs parchment with gummed sheets, and the Vintage Kraft Collage Paper Pack adds mixed backgrounds. Non-adhesive sheets need glue, so keep a glue stick or double-sided tape nearby.
Travel and letter themes
Old-letter and travel motifs suit travel journals. Pair them with your own tickets and receipts for pages that feel like a real scrapbook. Our Traveler Letters Vintage Sticker Pack is built around these themes.
Layout ideas to try
Each layout below uses only tape and stickers. For more page ideas with paper and ephemera, see junk journal ideas, and for layered backgrounds, try torn paper collage.
The minimal spread
One strip of skinny gold tape under the date, one small sticker in a corner, and plenty of white space. This works for daily diaries where writing is the main event.
The vintage collage page
Start with a kraft or collage paper background, add a strip of wide floral washi along one side, layer a piece of parchment and finish with a corner-framed photo and a seal sticker. Keep the palette to browns, creams and one accent color.
The botanical weekly
Use floral tape as a header, skinny tape to divide the seven days and a few small botanical stickers to mark special plans. The Floral Washi Tape Set and Gold Foil Floral Washi Tape Box Set suit this style.
The night-sky page
For a dream log or evening reflection, use night-sky tape with gold-foil stars along the edges and keep the center plain for writing. See the Gold Foil Celestial Washi Tape Set.
Design tips that make spreads look finished
- Pick two or three colors and repeat them across the spread.
- Use odd numbers of stickers in a cluster, such as three, so groups feel balanced.
- Mix sizes: one large element, a few medium ones and several small details.
- Leave white space. A page that is completely covered can feel busy and leaves no room to write.
- Work from back to front: background, then frames, then focal points, then fine details.
- Test new tape on the inside back cover or a spare page before using it on a finished spread.
Why washi tape won't stick (and how to fix it)
Washi tape usually fails to stick because of the surface, not the tape. Dust, hand oils, rough or coated paper and cold all weaken the hold, and heavy items layered on top can pull it loose. Clean, smooth, room-temperature paper and firm pressure fix most problems; glue fixes the rest.
| Cause | What happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Coated or glossy surface | Tape sits on top and lifts at the ends | Press firmly along the whole strip, or add a dot of glue under each end |
| Dust or hand oils | Edges peel after a few days | Wipe the page with a dry cloth and handle tape by the edges |
| Rough or textured paper | Only the high points of the paper touch the tape | Burnish with a bone folder or fingernail, or use double-sided tape underneath |
| Cold paper or a cold room | Adhesive grips weakly | Let the journal and tape warm to room temperature before you start |
| Too much weight | Photos or thick papers slide off | Glue heavy items down and use tape as decoration on top |
Washi tape is also not the same as masking tape. Masking tape, also called painter's tape, is a thin, easy-to-tear paper tape used mainly to mask off areas when painting, with an adhesive made to release cleanly (Wikipedia: Masking tape, accessed October 22, 2026). Washi tape is the decorative choice, printed and made to be seen on the page.
How to store washi tape and stickers
Washi tape
- Keep it in the box it came in if it has one. Boxed sets are easy to stack and keep dust off the edges.
- Use a rod or dowel: slide rolls onto a wooden rod or a paper towel holder so you can see every pattern and tear off a piece quickly.
- Sort by color or theme: a divided box or shallow drawer sorted by color makes it easier to build a palette.
- Keep it away from heat and strong sunlight so the adhesive and colors last longer.
- Make samples: stick a short piece of each tape on an index card or a page at the back of your journal, so you can plan spreads without unrolling everything.
Storage by collection size
| Collection size | Method | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| A few sets | Keep each set in its original box | Boxed sets, such as the 12-roll vintage gift box, stack neatly and stay dust-free |
| 10 to 30 rolls | A shallow divided box or drawer | Every roll stays visible, sorted by color or width |
| 30 rolls or more | A wooden dowel or rod on a shelf or wall | You can see every pattern and tear a piece without unpacking |
| For travel | Binder rings or a clip ring | Thread a few rolls onto a ring and drop it into your journal kit |
| Tape samples | Sample cards or a swatch page | A short strip of each tape on an index card lets you plan spreads without unrolling |
| Sticker sheets | Flat folders or sheet protectors | Sheets stay flat and edges do not curl; group them by theme |
Stickers and papers
- Store flat in folders, envelopes or a zip pouch so the edges don't curl.
- Group by theme, such as botanical, travel or celestial, to grab a set for a page quickly.
- Keep a small travel kit: a few rolls of tape, a handful of stickers and a glue stick in a pouch go anywhere with your journal.
Common questions
How do you store washi tape?
Store it where you can see it. A few sets can stay in their original boxes, a growing collection fits a shallow divided drawer, and a large one works best on a dowel or rod. Keep tape away from heat and strong sunlight, and make a sample card so you can plan without unrolling.
Is washi tape better than masking tape?
For journaling, yes. Washi tape is printed and decorative, so it looks finished on a page. Masking tape, also called painter's tape, is a plain paper tape made mainly for masking off areas when painting. Use washi tape where it will be seen and masking tape for practical jobs.
Why won't my washi tape stay on?
The usual causes are a coated or textured surface, dust or hand oils on the page, cold paper, or too much weight layered on top. Clean and dry the page, press the tape firmly along its whole length, and glue down heavy items so the tape only has to decorate.
Where to start
If you are new to decorating your journal, one mixed-width washi set and one sticker pack are enough to try every technique above. If you want to go further into collage, start with junk journaling for beginners. A journaling gift set is another easy start, because it combines a notebook with coordinated stickers, papers and tape, and our stationery gift bundles by budget show how to put tape and stickers together as a present. Browse Washi Tape and Stickers & Ephemera, and if you are still choosing a journal to decorate, read how to choose a leather journal. US orders ship for a flat $6.99 and free on orders of $79 or more. Questions? Contact us.
