If you’re keen on learning how to use washi tape in your bullet journal, this guide will help you integrate this decorative Japanese tape into your everyday planning, whether you’re just figuring out how to start a bullet journal for beginners or you’re already a master of bullet journal doodles.
What Is Washi Tape?
Japanese washi tape is a decorative, multipurpose masking tape made from natural fibers, featuring limitless colors, patterns, and widths.
It’s lightweight, hand-tearable, semi-transparent, repositionable, and often gentle enough to write over or to use on delicate journal paper. If you’re experimenting with how to decorate bullet journal pages or are figuring out how to maintain a bullet journal, washi tape is a fun essential.
“Sky blue ocean waves. Yellow chrysanthemum buds. A tidy row of tiny green hexagons. Welcome to the technicolor world of Japanese washi tape … it is a decorative, multipurpose masking tape that comes in an array of brightly-colored patterns.” (konmari.com)
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Why Use Washi Tape in Your Bullet Journal?
Washi tape is more than decoration—it boosts motivation, aids organization, saves time, and helps fix mistakes. Whether you want to improve your handwriting bullet journal, create cute bullet journal headers, or start a minimalist bullet journal, washi tape adds flair and functionality:
- Boosts Motivation: A pretty journal encourages you to keep going (key for those learning how to keep yourself motivated to follow bullet journal).
- Aids Organization: Try color and pattern coding for at-a-glance info (great for how to use bullet journal effectively).
- Saves Time: Pre-made borders and thematic tapes speed up layouts.
- Covers Mistakes: Quickly hide errors—especially when you’re experimenting with how to write neat in a bullet journal.
- Effortless Decor: Once you’ve mastered how to decorate your bullet journal cover or how to make your own bullet journal spreads, washi makes every page cohesive.
Basic Ways to Use Washi Tape
1. Create Dividers and Borders
- Mark off sections in your monthly or weekly logs.
- Make page borders for thematic consistency.
- Divide large pages for trackers or lists (helps when learning how to make a mood tracker bullet journal, how to do a habit tracker in a bullet journal, or how to layout bullet journal).
2. Highlight Headings and Sections
- Emphasize monthly/weekly headers, to-do lists, trackers, or titles—a quick way to nail how to write quotes in a bullet journal or how to highlight meeting notes in bullet journal.
3. Use as Sticky Tabs or Page Markers
- Fold strips over the edge for easy-access tabs—perfect to organize how to bullet journal for month, how to bullet journal in a planner, or how to add pages to bullet journal.
4. Frame Photos, Quotes, or Mementos
- Use strips to “frame” keepsakes, photos, or quotes—a stylish touch for personal or project bullet journal spreads.
Creative Washi Tape Techniques
1. DIY Shapes and Stickers
Cut shapes (arrows, banners, etc.) for functional or decorative stickers. Layer tape and cut out, then peel—ideal for those taking bullet journal doodles how to to the next level.
2. Washi Tape Color Coding
Assign patterns to themes:
| Pattern/Color | Use |
|---|---|
| Floral | Personal errands |
| Blue geometric | Work tasks |
| Gold foiled | Events/Parties |
| Polka dot | Self-care |
Apply matching strips to pages, or entries—useful for how to use bullet journal for work, how to set up a bullet journal for school, and tv show tracker bullet journal.
3. Decorative Washi “Backgrounds”
Layer washi strips for vibrant backgrounds—perfect for monthly covers, themed spreads, or those learning how to draw bullet journal headers.
4. Faux Washi Tape Washes
Overlap tapes for soft ombré or rainbow effects—a creative challenge for anyone interested in how to put your ideas in bullet journal or how to make a digital bullet journal.
Functional Uses of Washi Tape
- Temporary Lists: Write on washi with gel or permanent pen—notes can be moved or removed. Great for flexible planning or exploring how to use bullet journal printables.
- Mask off Sections for Art: Use tape to mask, paint, or stamp—peel for crisp lines. Try with how to draw a calendar in a bullet journal or how to decorate first page of project bullet journal.
- Secure Envelopes or Pockets: Attach storage to pages for tickets or cards (works for how to use bullet journal app and how to use bullet journal for project management).
Spread & Layout Ideas Using Washi Tape
- Monthly Covers: Set the theme with bold borders or layered patterns—helpful for how to bullet journal for month.
- Habit and Mood Trackers: Use tape to fill in progress or highlight milestones—a simple approach for how to start a simple bullet journal.
- Gratitude Logs: Frame joyful lists with cheerful tapes.
- Budget and Expense Trackers: Color-code categories, highlight savings.
- Reading Lists/Book Logs: Decorate with literary-themed tapes, build visual progress bars.
- TV Show Tracker Bullet Journal: Use tapes for each show or episode watched.
- Bullet Journal for Weight Loss: Color-code progress, mark milestones.
Tips for Using Washi Tape in Your Bullet Journal
- Test First: Some tapes can lift ink or tear thin paper.
- Cut vs. Tear: Hand tear for a casual look; scissors for polish.
- Storage: Organize on a dowel, washi card, or container.
- Mix and Match: Stick to a color palette for cohesion.
- Write on Washi: Use oil-based or permanent markers.
- Try digital washi in apps if experimenting with how to make a bullet journal on phone, how to make bullet journals on android, or how to use trello as a bullet journal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-Decorating: Enhance, don’t overwhelm. If you’re learning how to bullet journal when you’re not artistic, go minimal.
- Poor Adhesion: Invest in quality brands.
- Mismatched Themes: Coordinate tape with spread themes.
Curating Your Washi Tape Collection
Begin with:
- Solid and simple patterns (how to make a bullet journal index, how to make a key for a bullet journal).
- Themed sets for holidays or seasons.
- Special tapes for emphasis.
- Explore unique tapes as your style grows—perfect for those who want how to start a bullet journal to achieve goals or are blending how to combine bullet planner with personal journal.
Where to Find Inspiration
- Instagram: Hashtags like #washitape, #bujoinspiration.
- Pinterest: Boards for how to decorate bullet journal and DIYs.
- YouTube: Tutorials for how to write bullet journal calligraphy, how to draw banners for bullet journal, and more.
- Try digital ideas for how to create a digital bullet journal with evernote or how to make a bullet journal in keynote.
Also Read:
Final Thoughts
Washi tape is the perfect tool to bridge both functionality and artistry—whether you’re figuring out how to make your own bullet journal or mastering how to use washi tape in bullet journal. Explore spreads, experiment with layouts (how to maintain a bullet journal or how to layout bullet journal), and let your bullet journal become not just an organizational aid but a creative mosaic in progress.
Ready to start? Review basics like how to write a bullet journal, how to use bullet journal, and don’t be afraid to try new layouts—whether on lined paper, digital platforms, or classic notebooks. Enjoy the journey!
