The Monocle & Moustache

There are always particular items that grab my attention in the Supplies auctions. Washi tape, and its cousin, Deco tape, are two of the biggest culprits! 

I’ve been playing with these products for a couple of years now and simply love them. However, there are still a handful of attendees that don’t always know what these tapes are used for. Well, fear not fellow Tophatters, I’m here to answer any of your pressing questions about Washi & Deco tape and hopefully provide some crafty inspiration!

What is Washi tape?

Washi tape is a super-cute import from our Japanese pals. It’s a paper tape that comes in a myriad of different colors and patterns. As a comparison, Washi tape is most similar to masking tape. It’s made from natural sources, such as Native Japanese tree bark, bamboo or even hemp. It’s one of those imports that is growing in popularity and is now being imitated by various craft companies who are coming out with their own local versions. Over the past year, I’ve found greater variety in tapes & it’s become much more accessible.

Its uses can vary and if anything, a simple search on Google or Pinterest will result in some great crafting project ideas. For example, here you can see Washi tape being used for packaging/wrapping purposes.

For more Washi tape ideas, you can visit Tip Junkie for Home Decor ideas. Or you can check out Crafting a Green World for their Top 5 Washi Tape Projects.

So…what’s this Deco tape I keep seeing?

Deco tape is another import from Japan. Deco tape is more comparable to the everyday Scotch tape we use. The difference is that Deco tape showcases all sorts of fun patterns. Hello Kitty (which I have and love), vibrant colors and intricate patterns are just a few things you can find on Deco tape.

It’s strong enough to use as a narrow-width packing tape for smaller packages, but I wouldn’t recommend it for sealing up larger boxes. It’s really just for decorative purposes; hence, the name “deco”. ;)

Now what?

So, you’ve seen the tapes, you’ve fallen in love with them…do you just stick pieces of it everywhere like you’re a little kid with a new pack of stickers? Not quite! In order to help inspire you, here are a few more great places to get some project ideas for both washi tape and deco tape. I hope you find a project that inspires you & gets your creative juices flowing!

Here, you can find more tips on using Washi tape as part of your Home Decor. If you’re partial to Deco tape, then eHow’s Mom section has a great list of Deco Crafting Ideas. 

Have you created an amazing Washi/Deco craft? Submit it here, we’d love to see it.

Happy crafting!