Japanese masking tape (washi tape) magnets: a tutorial

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Japanese masking tape (washi tape) magnets: a tutorial

February 10, 2011 by twirlingbetty

Look, this is one of those things (unlike cake bunting) that I feel sure someone must have come up with already. I’ve done a quick Google search and it hasn’t thrown up anything similar. But I just can’t believe I am the first one to have this simple idea. However, given my searches haven’t revealed anything, I thought you might like a tutorial.

Japanese masking tape and washi tape (washi tape is made from rice paper I think) have been a favourite with crafty peeps for the last couple of years. They’re essentially patterned paper tape. In other words, cute on a roll.

These are mine.

I bought them from here a year or so back. One of my favourite Etsy shops, Happy Tape, also has a fabulous range of tapes.

In the last 12 months or so, digital Japanese masking tape has been popping up all over the internet. Pugly Pixel offers some extraordinarily generous free downloads among which are this fabulous digital tape clip art.

This is a real but magnetic version of real Japanese masking tape inspired by digital tape. Put your hand on your forehead and massage if your mind is threatening to explode with the outrageous meta-ness of it all.

What you need:

An old magnet with the details peeled off back to a white layer.
Japanese masking tape, normal masking tape or whatever takes your fancy fridge-wise.
Scissors.

What to do:

1. Go and find a flat magnet you hate. I used one of the ones so kindly left in our mailbox by a real estate agent. Tear off aforesaid real estate agent’s details (try to contain your glee – it’s unbecoming) so you’re left with a magnetic rectangle.

If you’re lucky, your local real estate agent won’t have skimped and as well as using a nice thick magnet will also have used heavy-duty glue and all you’ll be able to peel off is the top layer, leaving a white layer beneath. If you have to peel right back to the black, then glue a piece of white paper on before you begin because some tape, mine included, is translucent.

2. Stick your patterned tape on.

3. Cut into strips.

4. Cut ends unevenly to give the appearance that the tape has been torn.

5. Slap it on your fridge.

6. Enjoy freaking out your (somewhat anally-retentive – you know it my darling) husband by making him think you’ve stuck actual sticky tape on precious family photos.

7. Repent. But only a little bit. Full repentance is bad for digestion.

If you don’t have any old magnets you can repurpose, then you can buy sheets of magnetic paper at Officeworks or just Google it. It’s easier to find than you might expect.

Next time you give someone a photo, you could include 4 bits of this cute magnetic tape, thereby leaving them in no doubt as to where you expect them to display the picture. Well, it’s the least they can do after you’ve gone to all that trouble to print it out, no?

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Posted in Craft tutorials, Stuff I've made | Tagged Japanese masking tape, japanese masking tape magnets, magnets that look like masking tape, tape magnets, Washi tape | 77 Comments

77 Responses

on February 10, 2011 at 10:30 pm | Reply Ms Muffin

Uuuuh LOVING this! Easy and SO STINKING cute!!!
i have been blessed with some blog friends that were so unbelievably kind to send me some of this tape. so i have a few different ones. i already googled for projects … but did not use any of the tape yet. i just coud not cut into it. so cute. but this one … unbelievable!!! i only need bits of tape – i can live with that!
(and yes, i do know that there is no point in not using the tape and just having it sit on my desk … still!)
and i even have some magnetic sheets lying around from anotehr project!
Wohooooo!
And did I mention that I think it looks stinking cute!!! I adore that look! Also thanks for the link to the digital clipart! LOVING it. Will have to see whether I can use it somehow!!!

Oh, and did I ever mention that your blog is the one that I learn new words on most often! (Have not used “repent” before.) I love that!
- on February 12, 2011 at 8:11 pm | Reply twirlingbetty
  
  Oh Miss Muffin – you are a poppet. Thanks very much for another lovely comment. I’m so glad you have all the materials on hand. This is such fun and so easy to make. And I’m delighted to be adding to your English vocabulary along the way!
on February 11, 2011 at 1:07 am | Reply gretchen/juneatnoon

Ooh, cool idea! I’ve been admiring washi tape from a distance. Maybe it’s time to try it out. (Also, I’m all for freaking out the slightly anal retentive husbands, here here!)
- on February 12, 2011 at 8:09 pm | Reply twirlingbetty
  
  Yes do try it. It really does rock. Our poor husbands!
on February 11, 2011 at 10:10 am | Reply Renee

I found Washi Tape at Borders of all places! They have heaps of different colours and they even come in colour sets. I wanted to buy some but couldn’t think of any use for it but now I have a reason!
- on February 12, 2011 at 8:08 pm | Reply twirlingbetty
  
  Hooray! Love giving my peeps a reason to buy crafty materials! I’ll have to keep an eye out at Borders. Thanks for the tip.
on February 12, 2011 at 11:24 am | Reply Zakkalife

This is by far one of the best ideas I’ve seen for washi tape, so clever.
- on February 12, 2011 at 8:08 pm | Reply twirlingbetty
  
  Well, that means a great deal coming from one who knows her washi tape so well! Thank you so much. I’m delighted you like it.
on February 12, 2011 at 4:57 pm | Reply rachel @ tea with lucy

such a great idea!

thanks for the links.

(i like to think i’ll get back to making cool stuff someday soon…)
- on February 12, 2011 at 8:05 pm | Reply twirlingbetty
  
  You will totally get back to it! The period during which you retrieve dead spiders from little mouths rather than creating is finite. Which is great, buit also sad I think!
on February 12, 2011 at 11:51 pm | Reply siegretc

wow so great! my fridge is completely bare because I haven’t found as cute a way to cover it such as this yet!
- on February 14, 2011 at 3:34 pm | Reply twirlingbetty
  
  Thanks. I hope your fridge is soon covered in cute strips of this then!
on February 13, 2011 at 11:43 am | Reply Tweets that mention Japanese masking tape (washi tape) magnets: a tutorial « twirling betty -- Topsy.com

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by zakkalife, twirling betty. twirling betty said: RT @zakkalife: Washi Tape Magnet tutorial on @twirlingbetty http://bit.ly/dJU6H2 simple and fabulous, promise [...]
on February 13, 2011 at 7:12 pm | Reply Natasha

If only the front of my fridge was magnetic!
- on February 14, 2011 at 3:35 pm | Reply twirlingbetty
  
  What the? I don’t think I’ve ever met a fridge that wasn’t magnetic on the front! A freaky fridge, yours is.
- on August 11, 2011 at 2:56 am | Reply betsy deak
  
  A fridge that has a wood panel, that’s what I have. I keep magnetic stuff on my electrical panel in the pantry. Also on a hanging magazine rack in pantry that I use to hold folders of page-sized recipes
on February 14, 2011 at 11:14 pm | Reply Kelly Rachel

Oh my…could this be the best magnet DIY ever? Why yes, yes it could.
- on February 15, 2011 at 11:43 am | Reply twirlingbetty
  
  Well thank you Kelly. That’s a lovely thing to say.
on February 18, 2011 at 2:02 am | Reply Marisa

What a cute idea! Love washi tape, love those digital washi tape strips and love a simple but striking DIY!
on February 19, 2011 at 1:00 am | Reply Lindy@ Itsy Bitsy Paper

Love Washi tape but this is a brilliant idea! I just shared your idea on my blog under Fun Friday Finds today.
http://itsybitsypaper.blogspot.com
on February 23, 2011 at 1:51 am | Reply Heather

i think these are brilliant! i am definitely making some of these. thanks for the tute!!
on February 24, 2011 at 10:07 am | Reply mary liz cawley

I was playing around on the internet and came across your website. I had to comment because my 7 year old daughter is that little girl swimming in the pool’s twin … so much so my 20 month old came over to the computer and pointed at the computer and said “Liza Jane”. Any way … she is a cutey for sure and I thought it was funny. Have a good one
on March 15, 2011 at 6:21 am | Reply nauli

What a great idea! We just started selling washi tape in Germany and are really excited about it. If you don’t mind, I will mention your tutorial on our blog soon!
- on March 15, 2011 at 10:52 am | Reply twirlingbetty
  
  Thanks so much. Happy for you to link to me on your blog.
on March 26, 2011 at 6:43 am | Reply Lorena (Paperella)

OMG! This is so clever! Just found your tutorial via pinterest and I’m going to do thid right now! Thanks so much from Spain
on April 20, 2011 at 1:52 am | Reply Loving: Creative Geniuses · Dismount Creative

[...] sick of washi tape, but I don’t see it happening anytime soon. Here’s how to make some DIY washi tape magnets. But it’s interesting that they are pictured on a stainless steel fridge which isn’t [...]
on August 14, 2011 at 2:21 am | Reply Annie

I love this! How adorable and fun.
on August 14, 2011 at 7:42 am | Reply Tamar

well… I have no cute tapes. BUT… I think I have some slightly transluscent paper than when cut into the right shape will look exactly like it IS washi tape. So I think that will do! Supercute, and yes, it would be hilarious if you are the first to post this, right? simple ideas are the BEST!!!!
on August 14, 2011 at 6:25 pm | Reply Dom

love love love!!
Everyone its totally obsessed with washi tape at the moment!
I am going to put this on my blogs facebook page.

Dom.
Craftedblog.com
on August 14, 2011 at 8:02 pm | Reply Anita Lauer

Here in Korea, the local restaurants are always leaving menus on my door. This is a great way to upcycle the magnets!
on August 15, 2011 at 11:17 am | Reply Sue S.

I have been saving so many of those magnet large ads but unsure of what I was going to do w/them. I had plans on just using them in my journaling covering them w/pretty paper then attaching something magnetic to them so they didnt’ fall out off the page. I also cut some and put them on the back of some notepads I made so they can be placed on the fridge.

now I have something else to use them for!! thanks for the DIY!
on August 15, 2011 at 3:11 pm | Reply BRILLANT ! DIY Washi Tape version Magnet ! | Glam' Papeterie

[...] Voir le tutoriel sur le blog de TwirlingBetty ! [...]
on August 16, 2011 at 5:58 pm | Reply DIY Magnet with Washi Tape « idoublera

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on August 16, 2011 at 10:40 pm | Reply jenn

such a cute and clever idea. I have a ton of tape and I’m excited to try this!
on August 17, 2011 at 5:26 pm | Reply francineclouden

This is just perfect! I’ve been meaning to do a fridge front redo and this might be just the motivation I need!
on August 17, 2011 at 6:19 pm | Reply Imanes de masking tape | Bueno, bonito y barato

[...] esos tutoriales que ponemos en la lista de los que hay que probar inmediatamente. Gracias al blog Twirling Betty vamos a aprender a forrar imanes de masking tape para conseguir un resultado tan maravilloso como [...]
on August 18, 2011 at 7:41 am | Reply Jessica Jones

Christen, you’re a genius. I tried out your idea and it was fast, easy, and worked like a charm. Thanks much!
on August 18, 2011 at 10:43 am | Reply Storage Geek

This is so wonderful! I posted about it over at my Storage Geek blog, http://storagegeek.tumblr.com/ I hope using your picture (with full credit and link back is okay) Cheers, Melissa
on August 18, 2011 at 11:00 am | Reply Elisabeth

Christen, these are awesome and I’ve been so excited to see them popping up all OVER the place. I can’t wait to try your tutorial. My fridge could definitely use some prettying up:).
on August 18, 2011 at 3:48 pm | Reply maaria

♥ ♥ ♥
So simple, so easy & so absolutely cute!
Now I only need a fridge with magnetic front… I guess I’ll start with my door frames!!
on August 18, 2011 at 8:06 pm | Reply Amy

Thank you, this is a great post. I found you via How about an Orange and I am so pleased that I did. I have already ordered some tape. Such a simple but effective idea. A while back I ordered a a whole pile of magnet sheet which I was going to print onto which I never got round to. However I now have a fab new use for it.
on August 19, 2011 at 12:32 pm | Reply :: DIY Tutorial :: Magnetic Vintage Stamps:: «

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on August 19, 2011 at 12:51 pm | Reply Gisele

Thanks for sharing this cute tutorial! I’m so inspired that I made some vintage stamps magnets using the same concept! Here’s the link:-
http://twinklemama.com/2011/08/19/diy-tutorial-magnetic-vintage-stamps/
on August 22, 2011 at 6:08 pm | Reply Lisa

I love this idea!
So much so, I tried it out myself. Thanks for the tutorial
http://thecraftartykid.blogspot.com/2011/08/decorative-tape-magnets.html
on August 23, 2011 at 5:10 pm | Reply DIY Roundup #04 » Anastasia Marie: Handcrafted Cards & Stationery

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on September 1, 2011 at 12:46 pm | Reply flowerpotdesigns

Great idea! I have to try this!!
on September 1, 2011 at 8:33 pm | Reply Fabric tape removable wall decals: a sneak peek at my next tutorial « twirling betty

[...] Right. So we have washi tape. Then we have magnets that have washi tape stuck to them and look like a bit of washi tape but are actually magnet…. [...]
on September 15, 2011 at 3:33 pm | Reply » DIY ~ Washi Tape Magnets! *bespoke* zine

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on October 3, 2011 at 10:47 am | Reply Jaime

I have been in a craft rut for far too long, mostly because I don’t have the energy or the time to dig my creative space out of junk mountain, but THIS is something I can do. Simple but brilliant: thanks for sharing!
on October 24, 2011 at 1:49 pm | Reply Simple Craft Tutorials

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on November 10, 2011 at 1:00 pm | Reply DIY: Washi Tape Magnet | Team EtsyMalaysia

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on December 6, 2011 at 12:02 am | Reply Nice Package – Japanese Washi Tape « A Papered Life

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on December 19, 2011 at 5:24 pm | Reply Fat AnimalFat Animal

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on March 4, 2012 at 5:22 am | Reply Lowri McNabb

This is such a fabulous project – thanks so much fpr letting me feature it over at TipJunkie!
Lowri
http://www.tipjunkie.com/papercraft-tutorials/
on March 8, 2012 at 1:33 am | Reply Julie S

How clever! So mad at myself for throwing away all those stupid trash magnets. Darn.
on March 20, 2012 at 7:36 am | Reply Washi Tape Magnet Project

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on June 6, 2012 at 7:39 am | Reply DIY Tape Magnets « You Want Me to Buy That?

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on June 17, 2012 at 4:25 pm | Reply Washi tape: che fu? »

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on July 2, 2012 at 11:56 pm | Reply A Crafter’s Best Friend: Washi Tape | DeLorenzo Arts & Crafts

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on August 13, 2012 at 10:35 am | Reply Main Ingredient Monday- Tape

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on November 26, 2012 at 12:23 pm | Reply amanda (simplemittens)

I don’t own any washi tape, but this would be cute with scrapbooking paper scraps as well
on December 7, 2012 at 6:17 am | Reply A Handmade Holiday | scarlettdalila

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on January 25, 2013 at 3:43 am | Reply gem

Spotted moments ago on a friends Pinterest board and in under 5 minutes I had made my own set. DEFINITELY an easy, quick & satisfying craft you can make with stuff on hand, and for sure a DUH! headslapper of an idea, thanks so much for sharing! I posted my pic and link to your blog/tutorail here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gemgirlart/8410922325/in/photostream

Thanks again, that was so worthwhile
~ gem ~
- on January 25, 2013 at 6:43 am | Reply twirlingbetty
  
  Thanks for your comment – so glad you derived the same level of satisfaction from this ridiculously simple project as I did!
on March 14, 2013 at 7:01 pm | Reply Imanes decorados con cinta washi - Guía de MANUALIDADES

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on April 19, 2013 at 7:21 pm | Reply 21 sätt att använda washitejp – 21 ways to use Washi Tape | Craft & Creativity – Pyssel & DIY

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on May 7, 2013 at 10:09 am | Reply How to Make Fridge Magnets - Make Your Own Fridge Magnets | Design Happens

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