Washi Tape Ideas for Your Next Project

If you’ve been paper crafting for any length of time, chances are you’ve collected more than a few rolls of washi tape. Maybe you bought them because they were pretty (guilty!), maybe they coordinated with a paper collection, or maybe you had big plans that never quite happened.

If your washi tape collection has been sitting untouched, this is your sign to pull it back out!

Washi tape is one of the most versatile supplies in any craft room. It adds colour, pattern, texture, and personality without requiring any special tools. Whether you love making journals, scrapbook layouts, or handmade cards, there are countless ways to incorporate it into your projects.

Unlike many embellishments, washi tape is: inexpensive; available in endless colours and patterns; removable (perfect for experimenting!); easy to layer and great for using up small bits without creating waste. Best of all, one roll can stretch across dozens—even hundreds—of projects.

Check out the video linked below for some of the ways you can incorporate washi tape into your next creative session.

 

Creative Ways to Use Washi Tape in Journals

Creative journals are the perfect home for washi tape because they celebrate layers and personality. Try using washi tape to:

• Create decorative page borders.
• Attach photos, tickets, postcards, or memorabilia.
• Divide journal pages into sections.
• Highlight meaningful quotes.
• Frame journal prompts.
• Create faux tabs on page edges.
• Layer underneath clusters and ephemera.
• Add colour to collage backgrounds.
• Cover seams where two papers meet.
• Build interesting layered pockets and tuck spots.

Tip: Layer different widths and patterns together. Mixing florals with text prints, grids, or vintage labels creates much more visual interest than using just one tape alone.

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Washi Tape Ideas for Card Making

Card makers sometimes overlook washi tape because patterned paper often steals the spotlight—but washi can become the star of the show. Some favourite ideas include:

• Create quick backgrounds using multiple strips.
• Add a subtle border behind a sentiment.
• Cover cardstock strips to create custom embellishments.
• Decorate envelope flaps.
• Accent die-cut shapes.
• Create striped designs in coordinating colours.
• Add sparkle with metallic washi.
• Wrap around belly bands for gift card holders.
• Use narrow tape as faux ribbon.

For clean and simple cards, one strip of beautiful washi paired with a stamped sentiment can be all you need.

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Washi Tape on Scrapbook Layouts

Scrapbook layouts benefit from little details that help lead the eye around the page, and washi tape does exactly that. Try using it to:

• Anchor photo mats.
• Create visual triangles around your photos.
• Build layered clusters.
• Decorate page borders.
• Create banners and flags.
• Add colour behind titles.
• Separate sections of divided page protectors.
• Fill awkward empty spaces.
• Create faux stitching lines by placing narrow washi where stitching would normally go.
• Add small strips under embellishments for extra dimension.

Because washi is relatively flat, it adds detail without adding much bulk—perfect if your albums are already getting full!

Storage & Organization Tips

One of the biggest reasons supplies don’t get used is because we simply forget we have them.Here are a few ways to keep your washi tape visible and accessible.

1.  Sort by Colour – Store similar colours together rather than by collection. This makes it much easier to grab the perfect tape for any project.
2. Organize by Theme – Separate rolls into categories such as: florals, vintage, Christmas, travel, words and text, basics, metallics, solids or seasonal.
3. Use Clear Storage – Clear drawers, divided containers, or acrylic organizers allow you to see your collection at a glance.
4. Keep Your Favourites Nearby – Instead of putting everything away, keep a small tray or desktop organizer filled with your current favourites. You’ll naturally reach for them more often.
5. Store on Dowels or Rods – Wooden dowels, paper towel holders, or tension rods make it easy to flip through your collection without digging through bins.
6. Create a Washi Swatch Ring – Wrap a small sample of each roll onto cardstock strips attached to a binder ring. Label the brand or collection if you wish. It’s much faster to browse a swatch ring than open every container.

Helpful Tips & Tricks

• If a roll has lost some stickiness, add a tiny amount of liquid adhesive when adhering permanently.
• Tear instead of cutting for a softer, vintage look.
• Layer translucent tapes over book pages for beautiful collage effects.
• Use washi tape to temporarily hold dies in place while die cutting.
• Secure cardstock while ink blending or stenciling with low-tack washi tape.
• Mix old and new collections—washi is one of the easiest supplies to blend across different styles.
• Don’t save your favourite designs for “special” projects. The best way to enjoy your supplies is to use them!

Challenge Yourself

Here’s a fun challenge for this week: Pick five rolls of washi tape that haven’t seen the light of day in months. Challenge yourself to use every one of them before the week is over.

• Create a journal spread.
• Make a scrapbook layout.
• Design a couple of handmade cards.

You’ll probably discover that your forgotten washi tapes are exactly what your current projects have been missing.

Sometimes the most inspiring supply isn’t the newest one—it’s the one you’ve owned all along.

Washi tape is inexpensive, versatile, easy to use, and works beautifully across every type of paper crafting. Whether you’re documenting memories in a scrapbook, creating meaningful journal pages, or making handmade cards, those colourful little rolls are full of creative potential.

So next time you’re looking for the perfect finishing touch, reach for your washi tape collection—and start using what you already have. Your craft room is already full of possibilities.

Supply List

Click the links below to shop my Canadian online store or to find out more information about any of these products. I also used several other products from my stash like washi tape and embellishments.