How to Use Washi Tape for Scrapbooking

Washi tape is one of those supplies that looks simple but completely transforms a scrapbook page. It's colorful, repositionable, easy to tear, and works on almost any surface. If you've been using it just to hold things down, you're leaving a lot on the table.

Here's a practical guide to getting the most out of washi tape in your scrapbooking, plus some tips on choosing the right width and pattern for the job.

Why Washi Tape Works So Well for Scrapbooking

Unlike regular tape, washi tape is made from Japanese rice paper, which means it's slightly translucent, tears cleanly by hand, and can usually be repositioned without damaging your paper. It also takes ink well, so you can write dates, captions, or labels right on top of it.

For scrapbookers, that combination is hard to beat. It's functional and decorative at the same time.

6 Ways to Use Washi Tape in Your Scrapbook

1. Create borders and frames

Run a strip of washi tape along the edge of a photo or journaling block to create an instant border. Use two complementary patterns in parallel lines for a layered look. A wider tape (like a 2.5 inch roll) works especially well here since it can anchor a whole section of your layout without needing multiple strips.

2. Secure photos without bulk

Fold a small piece of washi tape behind a photo corner to hold it in place. Because it's thin and light, it won't add bulk to your pages and won't damage photos if you decide to rearrange later.

3. Build a background

Cover an entire page or panel with strips of washi tape laid edge to edge. Mix patterns, mix widths, mix directions. It sounds chaotic but the result is usually really cohesive, especially when you're working within a color palette.

4. Make tabs and dividers

Fold a strip of tape over the edge of a page so half is on the front and half on the back. You've got an instant tab. Label it with a pen and use it to divide sections of an album or journal.

5. Add texture and pattern to plain cardstock

Plain white or kraft cardstock becomes a lot more interesting with a few strips of patterned tape across it. Use it as a background element, a banner, or a dividing line between sections of a page.

6. Write directly on it

Washi tape takes pencil, pen, and fine-tip markers really well. Use it as a label strip for dates, locations, names, or short captions. It's a clean, graphic way to add text without stamping or stickers.

Choosing the Right Width

Width matters more than most people think.

1 inch washi tape is the most versatile size for scrapbooking. It's narrow enough to use as an accent or border without overwhelming a layout, but wide enough to show off a pattern clearly. It's the go-to for photo corners, tabs, and detail work.

2.5 inch washi tape is where things get dramatic. Use it as a wide border, a bold header strip, or a background element. It covers ground fast and makes a real visual statement on the page.

A good starting point is to have at least one roll in each width so you can mix them on the same layout.

How to Choose Patterns That Work Together

The easiest way to mix washi tape patterns without the page feeling chaotic is to follow one simple rule: vary the scale, keep the color. A small, tight repeat next to a large, open pattern creates visual contrast. If they share even one or two colors, they'll feel intentional rather than random.

Illustrated patterns with botanical motifs, geometric shapes, or classic repeats tend to be especially versatile since they read as both playful and polished depending on the page.

Shop Illustrated Washi Tape

All of my washi tape is designed with repeat pattern in mind, which makes it especially satisfying to use in layouts where you need the pattern to tile cleanly across a strip or border.

A few worth having in your scrapbooking kit:

Browse the full collection here: Shop All Washi Tape →

Washi Tape Beyond the Scrapbook

Once you have a collection going, washi tape has a way of showing up everywhere. Gift wrapping is one of the best second uses — a strip of patterned tape across a plain kraft box or paper bag instantly elevates the presentation without any extra supplies.

If you're into creative gift wrapping, you'll love this: The Colorful Cure for a Boring Gift: Start with a Gift Bag That Brings Joy

Washi tape for scrapbooking- your questions, answered

Can I use washi tape in a scrapbook?

Yes and honestly, washi tape is one of the best things you can add to a scrapbook. It's low-tack enough that it won't tear your photos when you reposition (which I do constantly, lol), it's thin enough that your pages still close flat, and it comes in approximately a million colors and patterns so you can match any season, mood, or photo set. I use it in all of mine, and it's the easiest way to add color without committing to anything permanent.

What kind of washi tape works best for scrapbooking?

Look for washi tape that's made from real Japanese paper (the "wa" in washi means Japanese, "shi" means paper) — it'll feel slightly textured, tear cleanly by hand, and lift back up if you need to reposition. Skip the super-glossy plastic-y tapes that look like washi but aren't; those tend to be stickier than you want and they don't tear nicely. For scrapbooking specifically, I'd grab a mix of widths- a few skinny ones for borders and photo edges, and a wider one or two for journaling strips and page accents.

How do you use washi tape as photo corners?

Cut a small piece of washi tape (about an inch long), then snip it in half diagonally to make two little triangles. Place a triangle over each corner of your photo, sticky side down, with about half the triangle on the photo and half on the page underneath. It holds the photo in place, looks intentional, and lets you slide the photo out later if you want to swap it. It's the wee little detail that makes a scrapbook page feel finished and you can use a different pattern on every page if you're feeling extra.

Want to stock up? Shop the full washi tape collection → (we currently have 70+ designs and counting.)

Rebecca Woolbright designs illustrated washi tape, tea towels, and home goods from the Columbia River Gorge. Every pattern starts as original artwork.

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