We’re so in love with washi tape, here at Under the Rowan Trees!
Hang on... ‘What the heck is washi tape?’ I hear you cry…
Before we get into the ‘how,’ let’s talk about the ‘why’! Washi tape is a wonderfully versatile and decorative adhesive tape that can be used to add colour and pattern to more or less any project. It's the perfect material to decorate your paper, make borders or use directly as masking tape. You can use it for your journals, artworks, cards, scrapbook borders, to embellish gift wrap and so much more!
Washi what?
Originating from Japan, washi tape is a low tack, decorative masking tape made from traditional Japanese rice paper (wa meaning ‘Japanese’ and shi meaning ‘paper’). Unlike traditional, western paper, which is made from tree pulp, washi is the product of Japanese shrubs. It’s generally made from ganpi, kozo (paper mulberry tree), mistumata and sometimes hemp.
Legend has it that washi tape was invented way back in 2006, by Kamoi Kakoshi Co., a maker of industrial tape and insect traps. The story goes that this glorious tape evolved after the company received an email from a group of women, who were using masking tape in their bookmaking projects. And lo and behold! Washi tape was born!
It's moved on somewhat and now comes in hundreds of colours and patterns. It’s inexpensive, easy to stick on many surfaces – wood, plastic, metal, paper - is non-marking and easy to remove - what's not to love?!
So, what exactly makes washi tape so special?
Washi is quick and easy to use. It’s also repositionable, so if you don’t get it straight the first time you can peel it off and try again. Ideal for adding to-do lists, dividing your page or edging a page to make it easy to find - washi tape is fun and flexible. Washi tape is also extremely eco-friendly - the backing glue and paper backing are non-toxic and biodegradable - how sustainably cool is that?
How do I love thee washi tape? Let me count the ways…
Washi is perfect for all sorts - try it for scrapbooking, either to embellish or just as a more vibrant way to stick down other pieces.
Make sure your present is the prettiest in the pile by using washi to tape down your wrapping paper.
Learn how to jazz up your journal with bright colours and vibrant patterns using washi tape.
Washi tape can be torn by hand, which also makes it a great resource for children (no sharp scissors) and it can be written on too, to add a little ‘va-va-voom’ to your journalling.
As if that’s not already enough, it’s also heatproof and waterproof. Does the durability of this sustainable and versatile tape never end? It can survive water-bottle-in-bag leakage or craft-time-wine spillage and you can even use it more than once, meaning it’s great value for money and a tick in the waste-reduction box.
Where can I find it?
Of course, here at ‘Under the Rowan Trees,’ we have a superbly generous range of wonderful washi tape for all you lovely people to try - do check out our website.
I've got a bundle of washi'ng to do...
We have oodles of beautiful, affordable washi tape on our website, which we can't wait to share with you.
Do let us know which your favourite is - and don’t forget to share a picture of your wonderful washi creations on social!
