Make Your Own DIY Washi Tape with Tissue Paper

I have a confession to make.

I collect tissue paper.

You know how little kids sometimes get more excited about the box than the actual present? Yeah, I’m the same with the tissue paper.

I mean, there are so many beautiful tissue papers out there, floral, tiny patterns, vintage-looking prints, colorful designs, delicate little illustrations, so I have a really hard time throwing them away. I use to just fold them up nicely and save them.

Now I have found something to actually do with them. I make my own WASHI TAPE!

Honestly, it’s such a simple project. You basically need tissue paper or napkins and double-sided tape. That’s it!! You don’t even need nice, ironed tissue paper. Use whatever you’ve got!!

If you are a journaler like me, this is especially fun because you end up with completely one-of-a-kind pieces of tape. And it’s such a low energy project.

What You’ll Need

• Pretty tissue paper or napkins

• Double-sided tape (whatever your preference)

• Scissors

• Wax paper, depending on which tape you use

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I did a test of different types of double-sided tape, here are the 4 I tried.

Option 1: Regular Double-Sided Tape (you probably has a roll in your drawer somewhere)

This is the kind of double-sided tape where both sides are sticky with no protective backing.

At first, you might think this makes it impossible to work with. Well, grab that wax paper that collects dust in your kitchen drawer. I mean who uses wax paper? But we all have it.

Start by tearing off a piece of wax paper and then cut off a length of the tape you want to start with and lay that down on your wax paper. Because wax paper isn’t sticky, the tape will come easily off when you are ready to use it.

Then place your tissue paper over the sticky tape and gently press it down. You can tear away the excess paper around the edges. If you’ve got length left on your tape keep applying tissue paper to cover the entire thing. Just lay it down piece after piece. You can then pull off the tape and use scissors to trim right along the edge of the tape.

If you are ready to use the tape, proceed to your journal. If you want to store it for later, just put it back on your wax paper until you need it.

Option 2: Scotch Removable Double-Sided Tape

This one is a little easier because it comes with a protective backing sheet, similar to the backing on a sticker. Pull out the length of tape you want and lay it non-sticky side down.

Then place your tissue paper or napkins on top of the sticky side and press it down. You can use something to weigh down the other end of you want the tape to stay still.

Tear away the excess tissue paper and trim the edges with scissors. Now you can always leave your edges zagged and rough, it has it’s own esthetic.

The tape is done and ready to use. You can use immediately or roll it up until you want to use it later. With the protective backing it’s just like a sticker until you are ready to use it.

Option 3: Scotch 3M Double-Sided Mounting Tape

This is a little bit different then the others. This tape is thicker, heavier and spongier. I have found that it does release from most types of paper, similar to a washi tape, but it’s weight does require some thought about where you’d place it as not all paper typese can handle the weight.

It has a clear protective backing (it takes a bit of muscle to get it off), but the process is basically the same.

Lay the tape down with the non-sticky side down, apply tissue paper, tear away the excess and trim the edges with scissors.

Option 4: My Favorite Double-Sided Tape

This is the one I normally use. I buy 1-inch rolls of double-sided tape with a protective backing from Amazon and it comes in a pack of four. This is the tape I started with, so it’s what I typically use, but I loved both the regular and removeable double-sided tape, but they only have that one skinny width, which is great...but if you want a wider tape, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

This method is easy because I can make any length of tape I need. I unroll my tape protective-side down and leave the roll in front of me. I apply tissue paper, rip of the excess, apply more tissue paper, rip off the excess, unroll more tape, apply tissue paper, rip of the excess...see where I’m going with this?

Once I have made as much tape as I want. I snip off from the main roll and cut them into more manageable lengths. Usually about 10-12 inches, that way I can use scissors to clean up the edges with more ease then trying to cut the length of tape that is super long.

I roll them all together or secure all my tape pieces with a rubber band and keep them on my art journaling desk.

And just like that...I have tons of gorgeous washi tape!

There is something really satisfying about making a supply of washi tape out of something that would otherwise end up in the trash or sitting in a drawer somewhere. For me, that’s why I love art journaling. I love to find things in magazines, quotes I write from books I love, notes from loved ones, pretty tags from my clothes, or the tissue paper from a present. I add them to my journals and it’s not only creating something new and beautiful, but I’m infusing myself and those I love into each page.

Plus having a collection of little bits and pieces to use as inspiration on a day where creative energy is low or something that’s easy to grab and stick in my bag to take with me. I have a journal and a little case full of ephemera bits that I take with me when I leave the house. You’ll find me collage journaling in the doctors waiting room or in the car waiting for someone, or at a restaurant over lunch with a friend.

I posted two videos about my process and the different types of tape I tested.