Washi tape is a Japanese masking tape made from washi paper — traditionally derived from bamboo, mulberry, or rice fibres — with a matte texture, slight translucency, and a repositionable adhesive. It can be written on, cut, torn for decorative edges, and removed and repositioned without tearing the page. It's one of the most versatile tools in a journaler or planner's kit, and once you start using it you'll find yourself reaching for it constantly.
Why washi tape works in journals and planners
Three practical uses and one aesthetic one:
Dividing and organising pages: A strip of tape across the top of a page creates a coloured header without any writing. A strip down the left margin creates a visual column separator. Coloured tapes make colour-coded systems fast to set up and easy to navigate at a glance.
Flagging important pages: A short strip of tape folded over the page edge creates a permanent tab that can be written on with a ballpoint or gel pen. More robust than paper clips, cleaner than folded corners.
Decorating and personalising: Washi tape adds visual interest to spreads without requiring artistic skill. Layered strips, torn edges, and combinations of patterns produce results that look considered even when applied quickly.
Anchoring ephemera: Washi tape's repositionable adhesive is gentle enough to attach and remove tickets, receipts, photographs, and cards from notebook pages without tearing them. It also allows repositioning — if something shifts, peel and restick.
Washi tape widths
Washi tape comes in a range of widths, each suited to different uses:
5mm (very narrow): Almost invisible except as a coloured line. Good for underlining, creating thin rule separators, and decorative borders in planners with small grid squares.
10–15mm (standard narrow): The most versatile width for everyday planner use. Wide enough to be visible as a design element, narrow enough to use without dominating the page.
25–30mm (standard wide): Good for large headers, covering full calendar day boxes, and any use where you want the tape to be the focal element of the spread.
50mm+ (wide): Use as a backing for photographs, a full-width decorative band, or to divide the page into visible horizontal sections.
Writing on washi tape
Most washi tapes can be written on with ballpoint pens, gel pens (if the tape is matte), and fine felt-tip pens. Fountain pen ink on washi tape can feather or bead depending on the tape's surface treatment — test on a scrap piece first before writing anything important on applied tape. Fine-tipped gel pens like the Pilot Juice or Uni-ball Signo write on most washi tapes reliably.
Cutting or tearing?
Both work. Cutting with scissors produces a clean, straight edge — useful for geometric layouts and precise divisions. Tearing creates a slightly irregular, textured edge that often looks more natural and decorative. For diagonal cuts, sharp scissors or a craft knife against a ruler. Most regular use doesn't require tools.
How to store washi tape
Washi tape rolls are most conveniently stored on a holder or organiser — standing them upright in a cup or attaching them to a ring makes selecting between patterns easy. Kept away from heat and direct sunlight, washi tape maintains its adhesive quality for years. Some collectors keep their tapes in clear drawers so the patterns remain visible.
Starting a washi tape collection
Start with three or four tapes in widths and patterns that suit your planner style. A neutral (cream, kraft, or pale grey), a bold colour you use for colour-coding, and one pattern tape gives you enough variety to develop a coherent aesthetic without overwhelming the page. Expand from there as you discover what you actually use — the temptation is to buy many tapes at once, but most experienced planner users work heavily with three to five regulars and occasionally reach for the rest.
Browse washi tape at The Journal Shop, including seasonal releases, classic Japanese patterns, and functional writeable tapes for headers and labels.
Where to start: browse our planners and 2026 diaries and planners at The Journal Shop.
