Washi Tape: Japan's Masking Tape Revolution

Walk into any craft store today and you'll find entire aisles dedicated to washi tape—hundreds of patterns, colors, and designs rolled up and ready to decorate everything from planners to gift wrap to laptop covers.

But here's the wild part: washi tape almost didn't exist.

This now-ubiquitous craft supply was never supposed to be decorative. It was industrial masking tape made by a struggling Japanese factory. And it only became the colorful phenomenon we know today because three women sent a letter asking, "Hey, can you make this pretty?"

Seriously.

What Is Washi Tape, Anyway?

Washi tape is decorative masking tape made from traditional Japanese paper called—you guessed it—washi.

Washi literally means "Japanese paper" (wa = Japanese, shi = paper). It's been made in Japan for over 1,000 years using fibers from plants like the mulberry tree, gampi, and mitsumata. The result is a thin, strong, slightly translucent paper with a distinctive texture.

Traditional washi was used for everything: writing, art, screens, lanterns, even clothing. It's durable, beautiful, and has a soft, natural quality that modern paper doesn't quite replicate.

Fast forward to the 20th century, and a company called Kamoi Kakoshi started using washi to make industrial masking tape. Practical. Utilitarian. Beige.

Not exactly craft-room material.

The Factory That Almost Closed

Kamoi Kakoshi had been making industrial masking tape since 1923 in Kurashiki, Japan. By the early 2000s, business wasn't great. The rise of cheaper alternatives and changing industrial needs meant the company was struggling.

They were a small, family-run operation making a product most people never thought twice about. Masking tape. For painting. For construction. Functional and forgettable.

Then in 2006, something unexpected happened.

Three Women and a Petition

Three Japanese women—Yoko Asano, Eriko Kuwabara, and Kyoko Murakami—discovered Kamoi's masking tape and realized it had potential beyond construction sites.

The tape was repositionable, semi-transparent, and had a nice texture. It wrote well with pen. It could be torn by hand. And unlike regular masking tape, it didn't leave residue.

They thought: What if this came in colors and patterns?

So they did what any reasonable crafters would do—they contacted the company and suggested it. But Kamoi wasn't interested. They made industrial tape. Not craft supplies.

The women didn't give up. They organized a small exhibition in Tokyo showcasing what could be done with the tape if it were decorative. They invited Kamoi executives to see it.

And that exhibition changed everything.

The MT Tape Revolution Begins

Seeing the creative potential of their own product convinced Kamoi to try something new. In 2008, they launched mt (masking tape), a decorative version of their industrial tape in colors and patterns.

The first collection was small—just a few colors and simple designs. But the response was immediate and enthusiastic.

Crafters, artists, designers, and stationery lovers went wild for it. Here was tape that was:

• Beautiful and functional

• Repositionable without damage

• Easy to tear by hand

• Affordable

• Made from quality traditional materials

It was the perfect craft supply that no one knew they needed.

Within a few years, mt washi tape became a global phenomenon. Kamoi went from a struggling factory to an international brand. The company that almost closed became the leader of an entirely new product category.

How Washi Paper Is Made (The Traditional Way)

Part of what makes washi tape special is the paper itself. Traditional washi has been made the same way for centuries:

1. Harvesting plant fibers: Bark from mulberry, gampi, or mitsumata trees is harvested in winter

2. Steaming and stripping: The bark is steamed and stripped to extract long, strong fibers

3. Beating: Fibers are beaten to break them down and create a pulp

4. Sheet forming: The pulp is spread onto screens and carefully layered by hand

5. Drying: Sheets are dried on wooden boards in the sun

The result is paper that's incredibly strong despite being thin and lightweight. Those long plant fibers create a durability that regular wood-pulp paper can't match.

Modern washi tape uses a mechanized version of this process, but the core materials and methods remain rooted in centuries of Japanese papermaking tradition.

Why Washi Tape Took Over the World

So why did washi tape become such a massive trend? A few reasons:

It's forgiving. Unlike stickers, you can reposition it. Mess up? Just peel it off and try again. No sticky residue, no damage. It's versatile. People use it for everything—decorating journals, gift wrapping, organizing, labeling, wall art, card making, scrapbooking, even temporary decor for rentals.

It's collectible. With thousands of patterns available, washi tape became something people collected. Limited editions, collaborations with artists, seasonal designs—it became its own hobby.

It's accessible. You don't need special skills to use it. Anyone can make something look better with washi tape.

It fits the aesthetic. Washi tape hit right as bullet journaling, scrapbooking, and stationery culture were exploding. It became the perfect tool for a generation that valued handmade, personalized, and Instagrammable projects.

The Washi Tape Effect

Kamoi's mt brand inspired countless imitators. Now dozens of companies make decorative masking tape. Some use traditional washi paper, others use different materials but keep the washi name.

The term "washi tape" has become generic—like "Kleenex" for tissues or "Band-Aid" for bandages. Not all decorative masking tape is technically made from washi, but we call it that anyway.

And that small factory that almost closed? Kamoi is now internationally recognized, produces millions of rolls annually, and has dedicated stores in Japan where people make pilgrimages to buy exclusive patterns.

All because three crafters sent a letter saying, "This could be pretty."

The Legacy: When Customers Save a Company

The washi tape story is a reminder that sometimes the people using your product see potential you don't.

Kamoi was ready to stay in their lane—industrial tape for construction and painting. But their customers saw something more. They saw color, creativity, and possibility.

That petition didn't just create a product. It saved a company and sparked a global craft movement.

Today, washi tape is a staple in craft rooms, classrooms, offices, and studios worldwide. It bridges traditional Japanese papermaking with modern DIY culture. It's functional and beautiful. Temporary and permanent. Simple and endlessly creative.

And it all started because three people believed masking tape could be more than beige.

What's your favorite way to use washi tape? Tell us in the comments—we're always looking for new creative ideas!