How to Use Washi Tape in a Journal or Planner (Without Overthinking It)

If you have a journal or a planner and a quiet little wish to make it prettier, washi tape is the friendliest place to start. No fancy lettering, no perfect handwriting, no art degree required. Just tear, stick, and admire.

Journaling tape (which is really just washi tape pointed at your notebook) has become one of the most-loved ways to use it, and for good reason. It is forgiving, it is reusable in spirit if not in fact, and it makes a blank page feel a whole lot less intimidating. Here is how to use it without overthinking a single thing.

Why washi tape is perfect for journaling

The magic of washi in a journal is that it lowers the stakes. A blank page can feel like a test. A page with a cheerful strip of tape across the top feels like an invitation. Because washi tears by hand and lifts cleanly if you misjudge a placement, there is no way to truly mess it up, which is exactly what a journaling habit needs.

Simple ways to use washi tape in a journal or planner

Page borders and headers

Run a strip along the top or down the side of a page to frame your writing. Instant structure, zero effort.

Date and section headers

Mark a new week or a new entry with a short piece of tape behind your date. It helps you find things later and looks tidy doing it.

Tabs and dividers

Fold a piece of washi over the edge of a page to make a tab. Color-code by month, project, or mood and your notebook turns into a flip-to-it system.

Wash of color on a dull spread

Some days you do not want to write much. A few strips of pretty tape and a single line is a perfectly good entry.

Hold things in place

Tape in a ticket stub, a photo, a pressed leaf, or a quote you scribbled on a sticky note. Washi is the glue that does not feel permanent.

Make a simple tracker

Lay down tape as the lines of a tiny habit grid or a mood chart. It is faster than ruling lines and far more cheerful.

A low-pressure way to start

Pick three tapes you love and keep them next to your notebook. That is the whole setup. When you sit down, put one strip on the page before you write a word. The decorating warms you up, and the writing tends to follow. Andddd if you skip a day or ten, the tape is still there waiting, no guilt attached.

My favorite washi tapes for journaling

The shop has loads, but right now the lineup includes a few that are especially at home in a notebook:

Ready to stock up? The full washi tape collection is right here, and I am forever adding new designs.

More ways to play with washi

Once your notebook is happy, the tape will want to wander. If you love a craft afternoon, here is how to use washi tape for scrapbooking, and if you have caught the snail mail bug, my guide to washi tape for pen pals shows how to make your envelopes look amazing.

Frequently asked questions

What is journaling tape?

Journaling tape is simply washi tape used in a journal, planner, or notebook. It is decorative paper tape that tears by hand, repositions easily, and adds color and structure to your pages.

Will washi tape damage my journal pages?

Washi is gentle and usually lifts without tearing thin paper if you remove it soon after applying. On very delicate or older pages, test a small spot first and peel slowly.

Can I write on top of washi tape in my planner?

Yes. A permanent or paint pen works best on the slightly textured surface. Give the ink a moment to dry so it does not smudge.

How much washi tape do I need to start?

Three rolls is plenty: one patterned, one simple or striped, and one with a bit of sparkle or foil. You can build from there as you find your style.

Is washi tape reusable?

It can be repositioned a time or two right after you place it, which is great for adjusting. Once it has been down a while it holds firmly, so think of it as low commitment rather than fully reusable.

 

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