A Washi Tape Tour: 70+ Designs and Far Too Many Uses

Let's talk about washi tape, the wee little craft supply that completely took over my desk, my gift wrap station, and (if I'm being honest) a small drawer in my office that I'm not going to show my husband.

If you're new here, washi tape is decorative paper tape. The name comes from "wa" (Japanese) and "shi" (paper). It's the kind of thing you don't know you need until you have it, and then you can't imagine wrapping a gift, dressing up a planner, or fixing a wobbly stack of cards without it.

The RJW washi tape collection currently has 70+ designs and I keep sneaking new ones in, so today I want to give you the full tour: what makes washi tape good, the patterns I'm most proud of right now, and the dozen or so ways my customers and I use it that go far beyond planner stickers.

What Makes Washi Tape Different from Regular Tape

You can stick washi tape to almost anything (paper, fabric, plastic, walls in moderation), it peels off cleanly without leaving residue, and you can write on it with a pen. It's repositionable for the first few seconds, which is great for the indecisive (hi). And because it's made from natural fibers, the colors and prints come out really beautiful, much closer to the look of a printed paper than the look of plastic ribbon.

What makes RJW washi tape different from the average craft store roll is the artwork. Every pattern is an original surface design from my studio. Same patterns you see on the wrapping paper, the tea towels, and the totes, just scaled and adjusted to look great in a tape format. The result is a coordinated little system, which I'll get to in a minute.

The Designs I Reach For Most

I won't walk you through all 70, but here are a handful of the ones I personally use the most.

Florals

The floral washi tapes are the workhorses. They go on every wrapped gift I've sent in the past year. The Summer Bounty washi pairs perfectly with the Summer Bounty wrapping paper if you want a fully coordinated look (very satisfying), but the florals also work beautifully on solid kraft paper if you want the tape to do all the visual work.

Stripes and small repeats

Sometimes you don't want a big floral and you just want a clean stripe or polka dot. There are several smaller, simpler patterns in the collection for exactly that. I use these on bullet journals, daily planners, and the little white envelopes I send invoices in (yes, I'm one of those people).

Holiday designs

I do a small drop of holiday washi each year. Christmas, Halloween, Valentine's, sometimes Easter. Holiday favorites sell quickly, so if you see one you love, grab it.

How My Customers Are Using Washi Tape

I love hearing the uses people send back to me. A handful of the most common:

Gift wrap (the obvious one, but worth saying)

The single highest-impact use. Solid kraft paper, a strip of washi down each side or a little X on top, done. You spent thirty seconds on it and it looks like you spent ten minutes. The full gift-wrap pep talk is in this week's wrapping paper post, but the short version: pretty paper plus washi tape is the easiest visual upgrade in the world.

Sealing envelopes and packages

Use it instead of a sticker on the back flap of a card or as a colorful seam down the side of a kraft envelope. Especially nice for thank-you notes, holiday cards, and small business shipping.

Planner and journal decoration

The original washi tape use case. People use it to mark monthly tabs, decorate weekly spreads, separate sections, or just add a strip of color to an otherwise functional page. If you have a kid who keeps a journal or a planner, I promise you, a roll of washi will be received like the holiday came early.

Scrapbooking lives in this same world. If that's your craft, I put together a full guide on how to use washi tape for scrapbooking, covering everything from photo corners to full-page layouts.

Labeling pantry jars

This is a sneaky-good use. A strip of washi tape on the front of a glass spice jar, written on with a fine-tip black pen. Easy to remove when you refill, prettier than a label maker. I do this in my own kitchen, paired with the tea towels and the Once Again Home Co. collab pieces, and it's one of those small things that makes the whole counter feel intentional.

Photo walls and dorm walls

Washi tape is a renter's best friend. You can stick photos up directly to the wall (the tape itself becomes the frame), arrange them however you like, and pull it all down without taking the paint with you. Same trick works for kids' rooms, dorms, fridge fronts, and inside cabinet doors.

Wrapping cords and labeling chargers

If you have ever lost the charger that goes with the camera that goes with the trip, this one is for you. A strip of washi labeled with a black pen identifies which cord goes with which device immediately. It's nerdy and I'm into it.

Decorating place cards, name tags, and party favors

A strip of washi tape on a folded place card is one of those tiny party touches that makes a regular dinner feel like a real occasion. Same trick works for kid birthday party favors, baby shower nameplates, and the little tag you tie to a hostess gift.

Building a Coordinated Washi Tape System

Here's the move that took me too long to figure out: pick three rolls, not one.

A floral, a stripe, a small repeat. You'll use the floral as the visual anchor on bigger gifts, the stripe to clean up edges and seal envelopes, and the small repeat for everyday use. Three coordinating rolls covers basically every situation, and they last a long time. I have rolls in my studio that I've been using for two years that still have plenty of length on them.

If you want a fast way to start: pick the wrapping paper print you love most, then pick the washi tape with the closest matching florals or motifs. Add a stripe in a coordinating color. That's a complete system.

Care and Storage

Washi tape doesn't need much. Keep it out of direct sunlight (it'll fade over years if it sits on a sunny windowsill), and store it standing up in a small box, drawer, or shallow tin so the rolls don't get squished. A clear acrylic riser is a fancy option if you want to see all your designs at once. A shoebox lid works just as well.

Shop the Full Washi Tape Collection

Browse everything at the washi tape collection.

I drop new washi designs throughout the year. Sign up for the newsletter if you want to know when new washi prints land.

Use SUMMER15 at checkout for 15% off anything in the shop through the end of June.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is washi tape?

Washi tape is decorative paper tape made from natural fibers, originating in Japan. The name comes from "wa" (Japanese) and "shi" (paper). It's repositionable for a few seconds after applying, removes cleanly without residue, and can be written on with a pen.

What can I use washi tape for besides gift wrap?

Common uses include planner and journal decoration, scrapbooking, sealing envelopes and shipping packages, labeling pantry jars, hanging photos on walls without damaging paint, marking chargers and cords, decorating place cards, and craft and party projects. It's especially popular with renters because it removes cleanly.

How many washi tape designs does the RJW shop have?

There are currently 70+ original washi tape designs in the RJW shop, with new designs added throughout the year.

Are RJW washi tape designs originals?

Yes. Every washi tape design is original surface pattern artwork created by Rebecca Woolbright. Many designs coordinate with RJW wrapping paper, tea towels, and tote bag prints for a matched system.

How should I store washi tape?

Keep washi tape out of direct sunlight to prevent fading, and store rolls standing upright in a shallow box, tin, or drawer to prevent the rolls from being squished or distorted. Storage is low-maintenance overall.