What’s Washi Tape? How to Use Washi Tape in Diamond Painting

It seems like new crafting products are hitting the market every day now, which is great for avid crafters as there are always new things to discover. Many of these fun products can be easily introduced into your favorite types of arts and crafts projects. Washi tape is not necessarily new to the DIY world, but people are finding novel uses for it all the time, and we’ve discovered a way to use it as one of our diamond painting accessories. If you’re wondering, “What’s washi tape?” — don’t worry! We have all the answers you’re looking for and suggestions for how to start using it. If you are interested in using this type of Japanese masking tape in your next diamond art project, keep reading to learn more!

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What’s Washi Tape?

Originally created in Japan, washi tape was not originally intended to be used as a crafting item. It was a type of masking tape made from natural materials, including bamboo and hemp. The purpose of washi tape, initially named MT (masking tape), was to create a kind of tape that was adhesive but also easy to remove from items. 

When the company that produces washi tape, Kamoi Kakoshi, heard from a group of three women who had been using the product for crafting. They immediately invited the innovative women to the factory and were inspired to expand the production line to include new colors and styles of MT tape. It has since become an extremely popular accessory for many different types of craft projects. 

Now you can use this lightweight, highly adhesive but easy-to-remove tape to decorate everything from your pencils to your bedroom walls without worrying about the adhesive damaging the material underneath. This specialty sticky ribbon is also commonly used in bullet journals, scrapbooking layouts, bookmarks and all sorts of other DIY projects. Available in a wide array of beautiful patterns and colors, washi tape has even been inducted into the world of diamond painting accessories. 

While the original MT tape originated in Japan, washi tape is now manufactured and sold around the world so the rolls have become quite inexpensive and widely available. You can even have your own custom washi tape made featuring designs of your choosing. Because it is so affordable and easy to find, using washi tape is a fun and exciting way to express yourself without spending a ton of money. 

Using Washi Tape with Diamond Painting

Wondering how exactly washi tape and diamond painting are related to each other? While this type of adhesive tape certainly is not required for completing a diamond painting, it can be a fun way to take your projects to the next level. Below, we’ve mapped out some of our favorite ways to use washi tape with our diamond creations! 

Cover Areas You’re Not Working On — Diamond art painting kits should come complete with a protective top layer to prevent dirt and dust from sticking to your canvas. This plastic sheet keeps your canvas safe and sticky while you're not working on it.

Many diamond art painters like to use washi tape to create a square grid on this top cover so they can work on the design in sections while keeping the uncompleted canvas shielded. As each section of the painting is completed, diamond painters remove the washi tape and plastic covering from that area. Because washi is a paper tape designed to be removed from surfaces easily, it won't impact the covering, adhesive or canvas quality as you continue to work. This is one of the main reasons why washi tape is so widely used by diamond painters in addition to the appeal of its fun and colorful designs.

Washi tape is also a great way to protect the sticky edges of your canvas. It will keep these areas free from dust and pet fur while you are working on your diamond art painting. 

Make a Decorative Frame — Once you’ve finished a project, you might be wondering what to do with the finished diamond painting. Well, one option is to refocus your creativity on making a beautifully coordinated, washi tape frame around the design. We do recommend that eventually, diamond paintings be preserved and displayed in a traditional picture frame to keep dust and dirt away. But, before you seal it into its frame, have some fun embellishing it with your washi tape. It’s an excellent way to add some extra color to your finished craft projects and make them even more unique. 

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Find a pattern you like or colors that match the design of your painting and start to tape around the white edges. If there’s too much white left on your canvas, you can use scissors to trim it down. Once you’ve created your decorative frame, slide your completed project into a glass frame, find the perfect place to hang it and enjoy it as home decor! 

Decorate Your Diamond Painting Accessories — You don’t have to restrict yourself to using your washi tape only with your diamond painting canvas itself. Most diamond painters have an abundance of diamond painting accessories on hand, so why not try spicing them up by adding your favorite patterns and colors of washi tape? You can wrap the trendy tape around your drill applicator — just be sure not to tape over your grip if you’re using one — or create beautiful designs on your bead organizer. If your applicator doesn’t have a grip, try wrapping a few layers of this Japanese masking tape around it to make it a bit more comfortable to hold. Washi tape is an easy and inexpensive way to give basic tools a boost. You can use different washi tape designs and styles to customize your diamond art light pad, drill sweeper and any other gear as well. And, because of washi tape’s low-tack nature, you can easily remove and replace it to freshen up the look of your accessories whenever the mood strikes. 

If you use a portfolio folder to keep finished or in-process projects safe, you can also use washi tape to decorate your folder to make it uniquely yours. If you’re feeling really creative, you can even use washi tape to decorate the walls of your crafting room or other areas of your home. There is virtually no limit to what you can do with a bit of your favorite washi tape when you unleash your imagination!

Take Your Diamond Paintings to the Next Level with Washi Tape

If you’re looking to upgrade your diamond painting game with a beautiful washi tape frame, simply browse the collection of Diamond Art Club® painting kits to find a project you want to work on, and then seek out coordinating washi tape. After you’ve completed the painting and frame, you can use any extra tape to customize your diamond painting accessories and keep your crafting supplies looking lovely.

You can also use your washi tape for other craft projects. When you aren’t working on your current diamond art masterpiece, you can use your tape to make unique bookmarks, decorate coasters, brighten up planners or embellish other types of paper crafts. You can even use it for gift wrapping to make your presents stand out. Washi tape is one of the most versatile art supplies around, and it’s one that crafters love!