Washi tape is a decorative, low-tack paper tape named after washi, the traditional Japanese paper. It tears cleanly by hand, takes pen and pencil, and usually peels off paper without tearing it, so you can reposition it. People use it to decorate journals and planners, label jars, wrap gifts and hang light prints.
Key Takeaways
- Washi tape is a paper tape with a gentle adhesive, closer to masking tape than to clear office tape.
- Width changes the job: 3 to 5 mm for fine lines and grids, 10 to 15 mm for borders and labels, 20 mm and up for backgrounds and statement strips.
- It is repositionable on paper, but on walls and painted surfaces always test first and avoid leaving it for months.
- Tape that will not stick usually has a dusty, textured or oily surface; clean the surface, press firmly and add a dot of glue for heavy items.
If you already know the basics and want layout ideas, our guide to washi tape and sticker ideas for your journal covers techniques. This article goes deeper on what the tape is, how widths differ, how it compares with masking and foil tape, and what to do when it will not behave.
What is washi tape made of?
Washi tape is made of a thin paper backing coated with a light, pressure-sensitive adhesive and printed with colors or patterns. The name comes from washi, the Japanese paper tradition, although many decorative tapes sold today use a general paper base. Check a listing's material line to see what a specific tape uses.
Washi itself is a family of traditional Japanese papers. The Wikipedia article on washi describes it as traditional Japanese paper processed by hand and lists the plant fibers most often used: the inner bark of gampi, the mitsumata shrub, and the paper mulberry, known as kozo. The craft is recognized by UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage, which describes papermakers separating paper mulberry fibers, soaking them in clear river water and filtering them through a bamboo screen.
Decorative tape borrowed the name because it shares the qualities people love in washi: it is thin, slightly translucent, and tears with a soft edge. In practice, "washi tape" now names a product category; the label alone does not tell you how or where the paper was made. Our listings say exactly what each tape is made of. For example, several of our sets list Japanese paper tape as the material, while others list a paper tape base.
What is washi tape used for?
Washi tape is used for anything that benefits from color and a gentle, removable hold: journal and planner decoration, scrapbooking, labeling, gift wrapping, sealing envelopes, and light, temporary decoration on walls or furniture. Because it tears by hand and takes ink, it doubles as a decorative label.
In journals and planners
- Borders and page edges, including wrapping a strip over the page edge as a tab.
- Headers: lay a strip and write the date or title on top.
- Attaching tickets, photos and pressed flowers to a page.
- Covering a mistake or an old plan you want to hide.
- Thin lines for habit trackers, grids and weekly spreads.
Beyond journals
- Labels: pantry jars, cables, file folders and moving boxes. Write on it with a fine marker.
- Gift wrap: seal paper or tissue, make stripes on plain kraft paper, or replace ribbon on small parcels.
- Cards and envelopes: seal the flap, frame a message, or add a border.
- Light home decor: hang postcards or prints, outline a gallery wall before you hang frames, or add pattern to plain pencils and pen cups.
- Organizing: color-code keys, chargers or kitchen containers.
If you love using tape in collage-style pages, our guides to junk journaling for beginners and junk journal ideas show how it fits alongside papers and ephemera.
Washi tape width guide
Choose washi tape width by the job: very narrow tape, 3 to 5 mm, draws lines and grids; medium tape, 10 to 15 mm, makes borders, labels and headers; wide tape, 20 mm and up, covers backgrounds, frames photos and makes bold strips. A mixed-width set lets you test all three before buying more of one size.
| Width | Best for | Tips | Example in our range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 mm | Fine lines, grids, habit trackers, outlining boxes | Lay it in short sections on curves; press with a fingernail | 48-roll gold-foil skinny set (approx. 3 mm per listing) |
| 5 mm | Underlines, thin borders, calendar cells | Doubles as a page-flag stripe on the edge of a page | 5-roll crane set includes two 5 mm rolls |
| 10 mm | Small headers, labels, taping down tickets | The most flexible width for beginners | 20-roll vintage set includes 1 cm rolls |
| 15 mm | Page borders, headers you write on, envelope seals | Wide enough to write a date on with a fine pen | 10-roll floral set (approx. 1.5 cm per listing) |
| 20 to 25 mm | Photo frames, title banners, gift wrap stripes | Tear at an angle for a softer, hand-cut look | Mixed-width sets with 2 and 2.5 cm rolls |
| 30 to 40 mm | Backgrounds, statement borders, covering a whole page edge | Lay it in overlapping strips to make a patterned background | The crane set includes a 40 mm roll |
Widths in the last column come from each product's own listing, so check the page for current details. Browse the full washi tape collection to compare sets by width and theme.
Washi tape vs masking tape vs foil tape
Washi tape and masking tape are related: both are paper tapes with an easy-release adhesive. Masking tape is built for practical jobs like painting and is usually plain and beige, while washi tape is thinner, often slightly translucent and printed with designs. Foil washi adds a stamped metallic layer on top of a washi-style base.
Masking tape has a clear history. According to the Wikipedia article on masking tape, it is a pressure-sensitive tape made of thin, easy-to-tear paper, it was created in 1925 for autobody painters who needed tape that would not pull off fresh paint, and most masking tapes are designed for temporary use at ambient temperatures. Washi tape inherited that easy-release idea and made it decorative.
| Feature | Washi tape | Masking tape | Foil washi tape |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backing | Thin paper, often slightly translucent | Easy-to-tear paper, usually plain | Washi-style paper with a stamped metallic layer |
| Look | Colors and printed patterns | Usually plain beige or a single color | Patterns with gold or metallic highlights |
| Adhesive | Low tack, repositionable on paper | Easy release, designed for painting and temporary holding | Low tack, similar to washi |
| Tears by hand | Yes, with a soft edge | Yes | Yes |
| Writable | Yes, with pens, markers and pencil | Yes, mainly with markers | Best on the non-foil areas of the design |
| Best for | Journals, planners, gift wrap, labels | Painting edges, holding drafts, labeling boxes | Festive pages, cards and gift wrap |
Is washi tape better than masking tape?
Neither is better overall; they are built for different jobs. For decoration, journaling and gifts, washi tape wins because of its patterns and thinner, neater finish. For painting trim or holding heavy paper on a drafting board, use tape designed for that task. If you need both color and strength, layer washi over a strip of stronger tape on the back of the item.
Is washi tape removable, and does it damage walls?
Washi tape is designed to be repositioned on paper and many smooth surfaces, but clean removal is not a given on every surface. On walls, results depend on the paint, the surface texture, humidity and how long the tape stays up. Test in a hidden spot first and avoid leaving it in direct sun for long periods.
- Test first. Put a short strip on an inconspicuous area for a day, then peel it slowly.
- Peel low and slow. Pull the tape back over itself at a low angle rather than straight out from the wall.
- Avoid fresh paint. Recently painted walls can lift more easily.
- Do not leave it for months. Like masking tape, decorative tape is made for temporary use. Heat and sunlight can change how the adhesive behaves.
- Keep it light. Washi tape holds postcards and paper prints, not framed art.
On paper, washi tape can usually be lifted and moved, which is why journalers like it. On delicate or thin paper, warm the tape slightly with your fingers and lift slowly to avoid tearing the surface.
Why won't my washi tape stay on?
Washi tape usually fails to stick because the surface is dusty, textured, glossy, oily or cold, or because the item it holds is too heavy for a low-tack adhesive. The fixes are simple: clean the surface, press the tape firmly, wrap it around an edge, or add a little glue behind heavier items.
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Edges lift on a journal page | Light pressure, or a textured paper surface | Burnish the tape with a fingernail or a bone folder |
| Falls off a wall or glass | Dust, grease or a cold surface | Wipe the surface clean and dry, then apply at room temperature |
| Will not hold a photo or ticket | Item is heavier or stiffer than the adhesive can hold | Glue the item down and use washi only as a decorative frame |
| Peels on kraft or rough paper | Fibers reduce contact with the adhesive | Wrap the tape around the page edge, or layer a glue stick underneath |
| Old roll no longer sticks well | Adhesive dried or picked up dust in storage | Discard the outer wrap and store rolls in a closed box |
How do you attach washi tape neatly?
Attach washi tape by tearing a strip slightly longer than you need, laying it lightly, adjusting until it is straight, and then pressing it firmly from the center out. Trim or fold the ends over the page edge. For straight cuts, use scissors; for a soft, feathered edge, tear.
- Clean and dry the surface.
- Tear or cut a strip a little longer than you need.
- Lay it lightly so you can lift and adjust it.
- Press firmly from the center outward to remove air.
- Fold or trim the ends, then burnish the edges.
Why is washi tape so expensive?
Washi tape can cost more per foot than plain tape because you are paying for printed design, short production runs of many patterns, and decoration such as metallic foil, rather than just adhesive. Roll length also varies, so two sets with the same number of rolls can hold very different amounts of tape.
To compare value, look at width, length per roll and number of rolls on each listing. Our listings give the approximate length per roll, for example about 4 m on the 10-roll floral set and about 2 m per roll on the 20-roll vintage set, so you can compare sets fairly. If you are buying washi tape as a present, our stationery gift ideas by budget guide shows how to build a small bundle around a tape set.
How to store washi tape
Store washi tape in a closed box or drawer, away from sun and heat, so the adhesive stays clean and the colors do not fade. Stack rolls on a dowel or sort them by width or color in a divided box. Keep the original packaging for gift sets you plan to give away.
Frequently asked questions
What is washi tape and what are its uses?
Washi tape is a decorative paper tape with a low-tack adhesive, named after traditional Japanese washi paper. It tears by hand, takes ink and usually repositions on paper. Common uses include decorating journals and planners, labeling jars and folders, sealing envelopes, wrapping gifts and hanging light prints.
Is washi tape better than masking tape?
Washi tape is better for decoration, journaling and gifts because it is thinner, printed with designs and gentle on paper. Masking tape is better for practical jobs such as painting edges and holding drafts. They are related paper tapes built for different purposes, so many crafters keep both.
Why is washi tape so expensive?
Washi tape often costs more than plain tape because you pay for printed designs, many short pattern runs and finishes like metallic foil. Roll lengths also vary widely, so compare width, length per roll and roll count on each listing before deciding which set is the better value.
Why won't my washi tape stay on?
Washi tape usually will not stay on because the surface is dusty, oily, textured or cold, or the item is too heavy for its low-tack adhesive. Clean and dry the surface, press firmly from the center out, wrap the tape around an edge, and use glue for heavier items.
How do you attach washi tape?
Tear a strip a little longer than you need, lay it lightly so you can adjust it, then press firmly from the center outward. Fold or trim the ends over the edge and burnish them with a fingernail. Clean, dry, room-temperature surfaces give the best hold.
Find your next washi set
Start with a mixed-width set so you learn which widths you reach for, then add narrow or wide rolls as your style develops. Browse the washi tape collection for vintage, floral, celestial and gold-foil sets, and see our FAQ for ordering questions. US shipping is a flat $6.99 and free on orders of $79 or more. When you are ready to choose, compare widths and roll lengths across the full washi tape range.
