This blog post was written by HOYFC staff member MJ.
Have you ever looked at a cute roll of washi tape (perhaps one of the designs from our collection) and lusted after its bright colourful pattern, but resisted buying it because you couldn't think of a use for it? Well, I'm here to provide you with five fun uses (and personal examples of each) that you might not know about for this versatile, eco-friendly tape.
But first, a very quick explanation about washi tape itself!
What Even is Washi Tape???
Washi tape is low tack, decorative paper tape which is easily tearable and can be slightly transparent. Because it's made from paper (traditionally rice paper), it's biodegradable and better for the enviroment than traditional sticky-tape.
It's also very versatile: you can stick and re-position it easily without leaving a residue, and you can even write on it (Some of our designs feature metallic foil and the foil areas cannot be written on, but the rest of the design can).
But what is it used for? Read on and find out!
Journalling and Papercraft
Washi tape was originally designed for scrapbooking as a colourful alternative to masking tape, and scrapbooking and journalling still make up probably the majority of washi tape use.
Whether being used as part of a bullet journal page layout, to stick something into a scrapbook, or as part of a handmade greetings card, washi tape is an incredibly versatile tool for anyone who enjoys journalling or papercrafts.
Back when I was doing Couch to 5k, I used washi tape (and a Slow Runners Club sticker) to add some colour and fun to my page layout.
While I don't currently keep a bullet journal, when I did my washi tape collection was always at hand. Even for someone like myself who prefers a utilitarian journal experience (no shade to those folk producing incredible artistic journals - I wish I could be you but I simply don't have it in me), washi tape was by far the easiest way to brighten up a weekly layout or stick an important piece of paper down so I didn't lose it (while still being able to take it out again unsticky and undamaged). Thank you, washi tape!
Hand-written Labels
As well as being super cute, most washi tapes (as long as they don't have a metallic foil finish), can be written on just like paper. Perfect for DIY labels - no label maker required! And as they can be removed without leaving residue, they are great for situations where you might need to change or adjust the label in future.
You can either tear off a piece and use it as a flat label (the classic way), or fold it back on itself to "stick out" from the thing it's marking, like around a cable or above the page in a book you need to reference often.
Don't come for me. book lovers! Washi is low tack and shouldn't damage book pages. All the same, potentially do a test spot before using it for this and don't stick it on any of your Lord of the Rings 1st editions... Personally, I use it to mark sections in TTRPG rulebooks I look at a lot, such as reference tables or sections of game rules.
So next time you need to label boxes for storage organisation or mark an important section of a document, grab that roll of washi!
General Decoration and Identification
Sometimes you can have a perfectly functional, practical item that just... needs a bit of sprucing up. If you want to add some individual flair to an item without permanently altering it, washi tape is great option!
The padlock I use at the gym is one I bought from them, so it's identical to many other padlocks used in the locker room. It works well, and I've never forgotten which locker I was using, but it just...lacks a bit of personality for me. So, I decided to put some stamp washi tape over the gym logo. Now my padlock is more fun and visually distinct, but still easy to redecorate again or take back to "factory reset" if I ever need to.
Other random "identification" uses I've had for washi tape:
- Marking a specific wire or plug so I can identify what accessory goes with what electronics
- Replacing the labels on my artificial christmas tree branches when they started falling - off. Now I match washi tape designs to tell what branches belong on the same level together
- Marking the height on a wall not to pull my window blind past so I don't break it (But I wanted the safety line to be, like, ✨aesthetic✨)
Wrapping/Packaging Letters and Gifts
If scotch or sellotape can do it, washi tape can (often) do it, but prettier! Wrapping a gift? Washi tape! Reinforcing an envelope? (because maybe all your letter envelopes are old and lost their stickiness and you need to send a form to the postal voting register or something... no? Just me?) Washi tape! Sending a handwritten letter to a loved one and want to add a personal touch to the outside? Washi tape!
Now, obviously we don't advocate for replacing all your hard-core packing tape with washi next time you're moving house. If you know the wrapping/packaging will get handled a lot and knocked around, potentially do a little stress test before using washi and washi alone to hold it. But what washi lacks in strength it makes up for in joy, and it can add a lot of fun to the giftwrapping experience.
This customer's order looks extra cute thanks to some Pixel Heart Washi Tape!
If you order something from HOYFC, we use washi tape to seal up the paper bags containing your goodies before they get put in the sturdier postage envelopes or boxes. It adds that little extra colour and flair and hopefully it makes your order truly feel like a little gift from you to you. You deserve it!
Adhesive
If you roll a piece of washi tape back on itself (So it's like a little tube with the sticky side facing out the way) it can be used in a similar way to glue dots or blu tack. Now, obviously it's not going to adhere surfaces as strongly as some other options (Like super glue... or cement or something), but it is still useful!
At HOYFC, we use washi tape to stick our iron-on patches onto backing cards before posting them out to our customers. We like that it's easy to use, biodegradable, and can be removed without any kind of residue being left on the item. The last part is especially important for a patch that's going to go on clothing. And because our patches and backing cards are then popped into a biodegrable cello bag, the washi tape doesn't have to do any industrial-level adhesion during its journey through the postal system. It also lets us buy cute washi tape for "Business Purposes", which is always a plus.
(To learn more about our sustainable cello bags, you can read our blog post about them here)
At HOYFC we use washi tape as a cute, eco-friendly way to stick all of our iron-on patches onto backing cards!
I've personally used it as an adhesive in general craft projects as well, from a handmade paper christmas decoration to a very quick and dirty halloween costume. (I dressed all in green and using washi tape I made a headband with paper flowers stuck to it. I was a cactus, obviously 🌵). In both cases, rather than get my fingers covered in glue or have to dig out sellotape and scissors (because I am physically incapable of keeping either in a sensible, handy place), I reached for my trusty washi tape.
Let's wrap this up!
Well, I hope you've enjoyed this little journey into washi-land! I enjoyed writing it, even if it has made me realise my life is somewhat chaotic and held together with washi tape.
Next time you're tempted by some extremely cool washi tape but can't think of a use for it, remember this list, and maybe find it inside yourself to tape a chance on washi.
Okay, I'll see myself out.
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