Looking for creative washi tape ideas for your bullet journal or scrapbook? Washi tape – a Japanese paper masking tape – has become a beloved tool among stationery enthusiasts for adding flair to journals, planners, and craft projects. These tapes are decorative and come in countless colors and patterns, from subtle pastels to bold prints. Washi tapes are essentially thin, decorative sticky tapes made of Japanese rice paper, and they’re prized for being easy to tear by hand and reposition without leaving residue. This makes them perfect for crafting: you can place and peel them off as needed until your design looks just right. It’s no wonder washi tape is a very popular item among stationery lovers, commonly used to decorate journal pages, make borders, and add artistic touches to projects.

In this post, we’ll explore how to use washi tape creatively in popular paper hobbies: scrapbooking. From decorative page borders to eye-catching titles, color-coding systems to layered collages, you’ll discover practical tips to level up your journal or scrapbook with washi tape. We’ll also highlight a few unique washi tape products (like a vintage-style kraft paper tape, a set of slim solid-color tapes, and a floral print tape) to inspire your next creation. Let’s dive in and get inspired!

What Makes Washi Tape Special?

Before jumping into ideas, let’s briefly recap what washi tape is and why it’s so popular. Originating from Japan, washi tape is made from traditional Japanese washi (rice) paper. Unlike regular plastic tape, washi paper tape is semi-transparent, tearable by hand, and low-tack (repositionable). This means you don’t need scissors, and if you stick it crookedly or change your mind, you can gently peel it off and start over. Washi tapes also come in an astonishing variety of colors, patterns, and widths, so they double as a decorative element in your crafts. Whether you prefer minimalist solid colors or cute printed patterns, there’s a washi tape for every style.

Another reason washi tape has a cult following is its versatility. It adheres well to paper but can often be removed or moved without damage, making it perfect for journals (where plans change) and scrapbooks (where you might rearrange items). Craft lovers use washi tape for everything from adding borders and frames to creating labels, flags, or even small artwork. It’s an easy way to add personality and color to a page with zero drawing skills needed. As KOKUYO (a Japanese stationery brand) notes, washi tape is commonly used for decorating paper, making borders, and creating art accents. In short, washi tape hits the sweet spot of being practical, forgiving, and fun – an essential in any journaler’s or scrapbooker’s toolkit.

Creative Washi Tape Ideas for Bullet Journals

Bullet journaling (or BuJo) is all about organizing plans in a personalized way, and washi tape can make your bullet journal both more functional and beautiful. Here are some creative washi tape ideas for bullet journal pages that will add color and character to your layouts:

How to Use Washi Tape for Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking is another craft where washi tape truly shines. In a scrapbook layout, washi tape can serve as a decorative element, a functional adhesive, or often both at the same time. If you’re wondering how to use washi tape for scrapbooking, here are some versatile ideas to try in your layouts and albums:

1. Beautiful Borders and Photo Frames

Just as in bullet journaling, using washi tape as a border is hugely popular in scrapbooking – in fact, it’s often the go-to technique. Scrapbookers frequently outline photos, journal cards, or entire pages with washi tape to give them a finished look. “Out of all the things you can do with washi tapes, using it as a border is probably the most popular,” notes one scrapbooking expert, and for good reason – “it looks great and it’s super simple to do!”. You can create a frame around a photo by running tape along each side, like a picture frame. For example, if you have a vintage sepia-toned photograph, a strip of retro kraft-paper style washi tape along the edges can enhance that old-time vibe. (A retro English text kraft washi tape would be perfect for this, adding an antique, collage-like border that complements heritage photos.) If one tape isn’t wide enough, you can overlap two strips side by side for a thicker frame, or choose a wide washi tape that covers more area in one go.

Washi tape can easily be made into charming embellishments. Above, small flag bunting decorations were created by folding patterned washi tape over a string and trimming the ends into a “V” shape. These cute washi flags can be used to adorn a scrapbook page, adding a festive touch to your layout.

You don’t have to border the entire page; using washi tape to create partial borders or accents can be just as effective. Try framing just the top and bottom of a photo, or add tape corners (place a short piece on each corner of a photo at an angle, like photo corners). Mixing and matching different tapes can also produce a fun, layered frame around an image. For instance, put a strip of floral washi tape down one side of a picture and a contrasting solid color tape on the other side for an eclectic look. Floral pattern washi tapes work beautifully for framing nature or wedding photos, as they add a soft, botanical accent. A wide floral landscaping washi tape could even act as a decorative background behind a smaller photo – giving the illusion of printed scrapbook paper when it’s actually tape. The possibilities are endless: washi borders can be neat and uniform or torn and collaged for a distressed effect. However you do it, you’ll find that a bit of washi around your photos or pages can instantly make your scrapbook layouts more vibrant and put-together.

(Product Tip: For bullet journaling, a set of slim, solid-color washi tapes is extremely useful. You can use them for color-coding tasks, making neat dividers, or adding understated borders. Because they’re not too flashy, they won’t distract from your writing, and the coordinated colors keep your journal looking cohesive.)

2. Layered Backgrounds and Patterns

Scrapbook layouts often use patterned paper as backgrounds – and here’s where washi tape can be a game-changer. You can create your own patterned background by layering strips of washi tape across the page. For example, make a striped background by laying different tapes horizontally across a blank cardstock. Use tapes from the same color family for a subtle stripe, or go rainbow for something playful. This technique is “a fantastic way to make a washi tape scrapbook background”, and you can customize it to be muted with soft tones or bold with bright colors. Some scrapbookers cover an entire 6x6 or 8x8 area with washi strips to form a unique background mat for photos. Because washi tape is so thin, the layers won’t add much bulk, and you get a bespoke background design without buying special paper.

Another idea is to create shapes or patterns with washi on the background. A popular one is a sunburst or rays: have strips of washi radiating out from a point, like sunrays or a spotlight behind a focal photo. You could also do a grid or plaid pattern by intersecting vertical and horizontal strips – using a mix of skinny and wide tapes can add interest here. If you have very wide washi tape (the kind that’s 50mm or more), those can act almost like a sheet of patterned paper; simply unroll and stick a piece to cover a large area of your page (trim the excess). This is super handy if you want, say, a marble or landscape background without buying a whole pad of paper. Altenew (a crafting company) notes that wide washi tapes can even cover an entire scrapbook page, instantly providing a beautiful background pattern. So, next time you’re lacking the “perfect paper” for a layout, look to your washi stash and see if you can create one!

(Product Tip: A vintage-style kraft washi tape is excellent for layering in backgrounds. You can tear it into pieces and layer it with other patterned tapes or vellum to create a retro collage backdrop on your scrapbook page. Its neutral brown tone and printed text design add an old-world charm that’s great for travel journals, heritage scrapbooks, or any project needing a rustic touch.)

3. DIY Embellishments and Accents

Washi tape isn’t just for sticking things down – it can become the star of your embellishments. Because it comes in fun colors and prints, you can use washi to make your own stickers, flags, and decorative pieces for scrapbooking. One easy craft is creating mini washi tape flags or bunting: simply fold small strips of washi tape over a piece of twine or a toothpick, then cut a little triangle out of the free end to make a pennant (as shown above). A string of these tiny flags can be hung across a scrapbook page (great for party or birthday themes), or a single flag on a toothpick can be added as a cute embellishment next to a photo or title. It’s amazing how just a bit of tape can turn into a 3D-looking decoration.

You can also make washi tape stickers by sticking washi onto wax paper or parchment, cutting out shapes, and then later peeling them off to stick in your scrapbook. Hearts, stars, arrows – whatever shape you need – can be cut from washi-covered paper. If you have craft punches (like a heart or circle punch), use them on a piece of cardstock covered in washi tape strips; you’ll get perfectly shaped cut-outs with fun washi patterns. This is a clever way to use up washi scraps and create custom embellishments that match your layout. For instance, punch out circles from different green washi tapes and you’ve got decorative “polka dots” to scatter on a page. Or punch tags and then accent them with diagonal stripes of washi for unique gift tags or journaling spots.

Another creative use is making washi tape ruffles or flowers. Because washi is paper, you can pleat it like ribbon to create ruffled borders – simply fold a long strip back and forth as you stick it down for a crinkled effect (this adds texture under a photo or along an edge). You can even twist or ruffle a piece of washi tape into a rosette shape to form a flower embellishment, then add a button or gem in the center. It’s a bit more advanced, but it shows how versatile this tape can be for crafting embellishments. Don’t forget the functional embellishments too: washi tape can act as a hinge for interactive elements. For example, use a strip as a hinge on one side of a photo or journaling card so that it flips open to reveal hidden journaling or another photo underneath. This interactive “flip-up” technique is popular in scrapbooking and keepsakes because it allows you to include extra memories without cluttering the main page. And the washi hinge blends right in as a design element.

In summary, think beyond just sticking washi tape in straight lines – you can fold it, cut it, layer it, and combine it with basic craft tools to make all sorts of accents for your scrapbook pages. It’s cost-effective and you can perfectly coordinate with the rest of your layout by using the same tapes.

4. Thematic Highlights and Finishing Touches

Every scrapbook page tells a story or theme – and washi tapes can help reinforce that theme with minimal effort. For instance, if you’re doing a spring or garden-themed layout, adding a strip of floral washi tape with flowers or greenery can echo the theme (perhaps use it to border a journaling card or as a divider). For a travel album, you might use washi tape with vintage postage designs or maps to accent your travel photos. Because washi tape designs are so diverse, there’s likely a tape out there to match any motif: seashell tapes for a beach trip, balloons for a birthday, plaid for Christmas, etc. Use these themed tapes as little highlights next to your photos or journal notes to tie the whole page together. It’s a subtle detail that can make the layout feel more cohesive and intentional.

Washi tape can also serve as the finishing touch on a layout, much like in bullet journaling. Once you’ve placed your photos, titles, and main elements, step back and see if any area looks a bit empty or if the page needs a pop of color. A small piece of washi tape might do the trick. Maybe add a torn piece of glittery gold washi in a corner for a touch of sparkle, or underline a quote with a strip of washi to make it stand out. Because washi is so easy to use, you can keep adjusting the placement until it looks right. Also consider layering washi with other media – for example, overlay a translucent washi tape on top of a piece of patterned paper for a cool layered effect, or use washi tape to anchor a vellum overlay on your page (it will show through slightly, adding depth). Since washi tape is acid-free (especially tapes from reputable brands), it’s safe to use with your photos and will keep your memories intact.

(Product Tip: A floral-themed washi tape is a great addition to any scrapbooker’s collection. You can use it to add quick botanical illustrations to a page without any drawing – just tape it down as a strip or cut out individual flower motifs. It works wonderfully for wedding pages, spring events, or to brighten up any layout that needs a touch of nature. Plus, florals never go out of style in scrapbooking!)

Conclusion: Embrace the Washi Creativity

Whether you’re organizing your planner or preserving memories in an album, washi tape is the ultimate creative ally. We’ve covered just a handful of creative washi tape ideas for bullet journals and scrapbooks – from borders and headers to collages and custom embellishments – but truly, the possibilities are endless. The beauty of washi tape is that it’s fast, fun, and forgiving. You can experiment freely: if you don’t like where you placed a tape strip, peel it up and try again. Mix and match tapes to discover unique combinations (for example, layering a striped tape over a floral tape can create a cool new pattern). Don’t worry about “messing up,” because with washi, a mistake can often turn into a new design opportunity (as we saw with covering errors or adjusting layouts).

As you play with washi tape in your scrapbooks or bullet journal, you’ll likely invent your own techniques and personal style – be it a minimalist stripe accent or an all-out explosion of patterns. There’s no wrong way to use it. The goal is to enhance your creativity and joy in journaling or scrapbooking. Even if you’re not a “crafty” person, washi tape can make your pages look polished and artistic with minimal effort. So go ahead and washi-fy your next project! Pull out some rolls and try one of the ideas above, or combine them in a new way. You might border a page, add a washi tab, or create a tiny flag – and end up with a spread that makes you smile every time you see it.

Lastly, if you’re feeling inspired to expand your washi collection (or try some new designs), feel free to visit our washi tape collection page. We’ve curated a wide range of tapes – from retro kraft paper styles to vibrant solid sets and lovely floral patterns – all in one place for you to explore. Having a variety of washi tapes on hand ensures you’re ready for any theme or idea that strikes. Happy journaling and crafting, and may your creativity with washi tape be boundless!