DIY: Customize Your Washi Tape


Here's a quick but useful washi tape DIY for you - customizing your washi tape. It's a technique we used for putting together our neon grab bags for the shop.

When you lay washi tape over printed text, the adhesive picks up the ink, allowing you to create your own custom washi tape!

It's as easy as 1-2-3! (Um... 4!)


1. Print the text you would like to transfer to your washi tape. Grab your desired washi tape colours and whatever you'd like to apply the tape to.

2. Lay a piece of tape over the text. Run your finger along the tape strip a couple of times to help the ink transfer.

3. Carefully peel off the tape strips. They will curl as you remove them so you'll want to use both hands, especially if you're

4. Stick your fabulous custom washi tape wherever you'd like!


Great for labelling items in your office or kitchen, gift wrapping or making birthday loot bags!

Have fun!

Want your own neon washi tape? Or perhaps a crafty grab bag of neon goodness? Now available in the shop!


Posted by OMIYAGE
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35 comments:

  1. Nicole van RoekelMay 10, 2012 at 12:48 PM

    I didn't know that washi tape picks up inkt, thanks for the tip! :)

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  2. SarahMay 10, 2012 at 12:59 PM

    wow! so I can make custom logo tape for when we send out orders? Amazing!

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  3. AnonymousMay 10, 2012 at 1:22 PM

    What a great idea!

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    Replies
    1. OMIYAGEMay 11, 2012 at 9:58 AM

      An accidental discover, but a fun one! ;)

      Delete
  4. samMay 10, 2012 at 6:18 PM

    that's awesome! does it matter what kind of printer? asking because i remember a similar trick for transferring ink with a chartpak blender marker but it only worked with pages from a laser printer/photocopier

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    Replies
    1. OMIYAGEMay 10, 2012 at 7:36 PM

      It works with an inkjet printer - not sure about laser! But a trial with a small strip of washi tape should reveal whether other types of printing work.

      Delete
    2. samMay 11, 2012 at 11:23 AM

      awesome! i'm super excited to try this out!

      Delete
    3. La TulipeMay 12, 2012 at 12:20 PM

      It's very very better with inkjet printer.
      BUT ... I'm tested with laser printer. And it's possible ... just less dark.
      I love washi tape and I like your blog.
      XO from france

      http://alombredumarronnier.blogspot.fr/2011/08/diy-impression-sur-masking-tape.html

      Delete
    4. OMIYAGEMay 15, 2012 at 11:20 AM

      Thanks so much for letting us know about the laser printer & thanks for your kind words!

      Delete
  5. Charlotte VallanceMay 10, 2012 at 6:58 PM

    This is such a great tip-thank you!

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  6. UnknownMay 10, 2012 at 9:11 PM

    so clever!

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  7. UnknownMay 11, 2012 at 3:19 AM

    clever much! I wonder if it works if we use ink pens?

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    Replies
    1. OMIYAGEMay 11, 2012 at 9:56 AM

      I just gave it a quick try with a gel pen & ballpoint pen and while it picked up a bit of the gel ink, it's not enough to get a clear image. I think the amount of ink in the printed text might be key. But have fun experimenting!

      Delete
  8. AnshuMay 15, 2012 at 1:29 PM

    wow ! such a great idea. Personalize anything you want.

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  9. Kim @ Plumberry PieMay 15, 2012 at 3:09 PM

    genius - love it!

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  10. ErinMay 15, 2012 at 4:03 PM

    Awesome!

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  11. karennarelleMay 16, 2012 at 8:02 AM

    genius, thanks.

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  12. iambMay 16, 2012 at 12:53 PM

    I LOVE this idea... thanks so much for sharing... I had thought about stamping the outside of the tape with stazon ink... but haven't tried it and would be limited to my stamps. This idea is WAY more versatile!! Thanks so much!

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    Replies
    1. OMIYAGEMay 17, 2012 at 12:00 PM

      Thanks! Actually, I think they're both useful techniques. You'll definitely get a stronger look with stamping vs this transfer method, but it does limit you to the stamps you have on hand.

      Delete
  13. Kaysi @ Keeping it SimpleMay 17, 2012 at 12:05 AM

    That is awesome!!!!

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  14. UnknownMay 17, 2012 at 12:18 AM

    Great idea!

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  15. iambMay 19, 2012 at 5:21 PM

    I just tried this with my inkjet printer and it didn't work? What am I missing? I tried transferring it immediately after printing.

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    Replies
    1. OMIYAGEMay 19, 2012 at 10:07 PM

      Oh no! Not sure - I've tried it on print outs direct from the printer and those a little older too. It really is as simple as laying the strip on top of the inkjet printout, rubbing a few times and lifting off. We've even had confirmation that it works on laser print outs just not as well.

      May I ask which brand of washi tape you're using? Maybe that makes a difference?!

      Delete
  16. DianthusaMay 28, 2012 at 6:48 AM

    So great!!

    I love washi tape, and I use it very often. This idea is sooo unique, I'll definitely try it!

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  17. darlawelchJune 12, 2012 at 12:20 PM

    Try printing your text onto a transparency rather than on paper. The ink doesn't dry as quickly and lifts off better.

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    Replies
    1. OMIYAGEJune 13, 2012 at 9:04 AM

      What a clever suggestion. Thanks for sharing!!

      Delete
  18. ~amy~August 2, 2012 at 8:48 AM

    Love this idea!

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  19. AnonymousJune 22, 2014 at 1:16 PM

    I just tried it on two different types of paper with various types of washi tape and I can't get it to work either :-(

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    Replies
    1. OMIYAGEJune 23, 2014 at 12:10 PM

      Hi Becks - what kind of printer / what brand of tape are you using? I've only ever used standard white printer paper and in terms of a printer, inkjet works better than laser.

      Delete
  20. UnknownDecember 31, 2015 at 1:46 PM

    does it pick up coloured ink???

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  21. UnknownAugust 20, 2016 at 1:54 AM

    Would it still be sticky?

    ReplyDelete

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