DIY Washi Tape Tutorial with iCraft Adhesive

Have you jumped on the washi tape bandwagon yet? If so, you might like to try making your own – especially once you see how easy it is using iCraft adhesive sheets.

Today Designer Alice Golden is sharing a step-by-step tutorial to walk you through the steps of creating custom washi.

Supplies:

Therm O Web:

iCraft Adhesive Sheets
1/4″ and 1/2″ Foam Squares

Other:

PADX-229 Mambi Sheets Specialty Cardstock – Me & My Big Ideas
Background Basics: Newsprint, Fancy Folk Art stamps and dies – Papertrey Ink
Assorted ink pads
Spotlight glitter – Making Memories

Part of what makes washi tape so much fun to use is that it is slightly transparent. After experimenting with several options, including tissue paper, handmade paper, vellum, and coffee filters, I found that the best thing to use to create washi are paper napkins.

The key is to separate the different layers of the napkin. You will want just a single layer so that it adheres to the iCraft and doesn’t separate when you apply it to your project.Adhere a single napkin layer to a sheet of iCraft. I experimented with using iCraft tape and while that works too, I like being able to create various widths of washi and the sheet gives you the most flexibility.

Don’t worry about a few wrinkles – they add to the overall effect.
Now comes the fun part – decorate your washi however you like. I added ink and stamped over the top. It is great to be able to create washi to match your project. This technique is very forgiving as any stamping imperfections disappear once you start cutting this into strips of tape.

Trim around the edges of the iCraft sheet.And trim in whatever widths you like. You can trim in one direction to get a mix of patterns and colors or trim in the opposite direction to get uniform patterns.Because iCraft can be die-cut, punched, and torn you can create a variety of edges on your tape. This only took a few minutes and used just a single sheet of iCraft – I love projects that are quick and inexpensive, don’t you?Paper napkins are available in an unlimited array of colors and patterns – you don’t even need to add any ink or stamping – just separate the layers and adhere to iCraft. Here I used a blue napkin and added a few stamped images. I really like the way the white ink looks.When you are ready to use the washi on a project, all you need to do is peel off the protective layer on the back. A pair of craft tweezers come in handy here.I used some of the homemade washi on the background of this card. Notice how you can still see the patterned paper under the washi? Just like the real thing.Coordinating stamps and die were used to create the focal point. A mix of 1/4″ and 1/2″ foam squares gives it added dimension.
Don’t throw away any leftover pieces of iCraft… here I used a scrap of iCraft and coordinating die to cut out petals.
Adhere the die-cut iCraft directly over the stamped imageremove the protective layer from the front and sprinkle with glitter. It’s a quick and easy (and much neater!) way of adding glitter to a project instead of using a liquid glue.Here is the finished card – wish you could see it in person because that touch of glitter adds so much to the overall look.

Thanks so much for visiting today! Be sure to let us know on our Facebook page if you give this technique a try.