How to Decorate Your Journal with Washi Tape: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

Washi tape is one of the most versatile and beginner-friendly tools in the journalling world. Whether you're new to bullet journalling, keeping a travel diary, or simply want to make your planner more beautiful, Japanese washi tape offers an easy, low-commitment way to add colour, pattern, and personality to any page. Here's everything you need to know to get started.

What Is Washi Tape?

Washi tape is a decorative adhesive tape made from natural Japanese washi paper — a traditional material derived from plant fibres including gampi, mitsumata, and mulberry. The word "washi" (和紙) literally means "Japanese paper," and the material has been used in Japan for over 1,000 years in everything from sliding doors to calligraphy. Modern washi tape, first introduced in the early 2000s, transformed this traditional material into a stationery staple beloved worldwide.

Unlike regular sticky tape, washi tape is semi-transparent, tears cleanly by hand, adheres without residue, and can be repositioned — making it forgiving and ideal for creative work. It comes in thousands of designs, from simple solid colours to elaborate illustrated patterns with foil stamping.

Choosing Your First Washi Tapes

For beginners, we recommend starting with three to five rolls in complementary colours and varying widths. A good starter set might include a solid or subtle pattern in a neutral tone, a bolder print for accents, and a narrower tape (10–15mm) for borders and dividers. Japanese brands like Cozyca and SEAL-DO offer particularly high-quality options available at Konbini Australia.

Basic Washi Tape Journalling Techniques

1. Page Borders and Frames

Run a strip of washi tape along the top, bottom, or sides of a page to create a decorative border. Use two coordinating tapes at the corners for a layered effect. This works especially well with geometric or stripe patterns.

2. Tab Markers

Fold a small piece of washi tape over the edge of a page to create a coloured tab. This is useful for marking important entries, months, or sections in a planner or bullet journal.

3. Washi Tape Headers

Apply a strip of washi tape horizontally across the top of a page and write your heading or date over it with a fine-tip pen. The tape creates a banner-like header that photographs beautifully.

4. Layering and Collage

Tear washi tape into irregular pieces and layer them across a page for a collage effect. Mix different patterns, widths, and opacities. Because washi tape is slightly translucent, overlapping strips create interesting blended tones.

5. Washi Tape Photo Corners

Cut small diagonal pieces of washi tape to use as photo corners — a quick way to mount photographs or postcards in your journal without glue.

Tips for Best Results

Apply washi tape to dry pages only. Use a bone folder or the flat edge of a ruler to press tape down smoothly and eliminate air bubbles. Write on washi tape with a permanent marker, gel pen, or fine-liner — ballpoint and regular ink may not adhere well. Store unused rolls in a dedicated tape organiser to keep them clean and easily visible.

Shop Japanese Washi Tape in Australia

Konbini Australia stocks an extensive range of authentic Japanese washi tape from leading brands, including foil-stamped designs from Cozyca and the celebrated Kenji Miyazawa literary series from SEAL-DO. Browse our full washi tape collection and enjoy free delivery on orders over $100.