Washi Tape Guide: mt, Mind Wave, and What Actually Makes It Different From Regular Tape
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This article contains affiliate links; purchases may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
This washi tape guide compares brands, practical uses and buying checks. Choose tape for the surface and task you have in mind, then test a small piece before using it on an important page.
Start with the surface and purpose
For notebook borders, width and color matter. For removable labels, the adhesive and surface matter. Use this guide alongside our notebook comparison when choosing supplies for a journal.
What the washi label tells you
Washi refers to Japanese paper, but a decorative tape’s name does not establish its fiber composition. Read the stated backing material: paper, PET film and foil-decorated products have different properties. Do not assume every roll uses handmade paper or the same plant fibers.
The Origin Story: An Accident That Became an Industry
Kamoi Kakoshi’s mt range grew from industrial masking tape into colored and patterned tape for creative use. The manufacturer’s brand story describes that development. A brand’s history is useful context, but the product specification remains the buying check.
Washi Tape Guide: Choosing a Brand
mt (Kamoi Kakoshi) — The Original
Compare mt’s solid-color and patterned products by width, length and finish. Choose the actual roll or set rather than assuming one description applies to the entire range.
Best for: Solid colors, dependable quality, and the most recognized name if you're buying a gift for someone who already knows the category.
Mind Wave — The Kawaii Specialist
Known for cute, illustration-heavy designs — animals, seasonal themes, playful patterns — aimed specifically at journaling and letter-writing rather than more minimalist crafting.
Best for: Someone who wants expressive, illustrated tape rather than mt's more restrained solid-color aesthetic.
BGM — The Vintage, Foil-Stamped Option
Distinguished by gold foil stamping and vintage-inspired design work, giving it a more elevated, collectible feel than most everyday washi tape.
Best for: A more special-occasion gift, or scrapbook and card-making projects where the foil detail actually shows.
What to Check Before Buying
- Brand and seller: Check the manufacturer, roll count and seller rather than judging authenticity from a thumbnail.
- Material and finish: Paper, PET film and foil-decorated tapes behave differently; read the stated material. Do not assume every paper tape contains the same fibers.
- Width and length: Compare meters per roll as well as pack count.
- Surface compatibility: Test a small piece on an inconspicuous area. Removability depends on the surface and time left in place.
What to Actually Use It For
- Journaling and bullet journaling — decorative borders, section dividers, date headers
- Gift wrapping — a distinctive alternative to standard wrapping paper tape, and part of why washi tape shows up so often in gift-giving guides generally
- Scrapbooking and card-making — especially BGM's foil-stamped designs, which add a tactile, premium feel to handmade cards
- Temporary decoration — only on suitable surfaces after testing; tape can mark delicate paint or wallpaper.
Photo: Emile contributor / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized/compressed; no content edits.
Storage and Shelf Life
Store rolls away from heat, direct sunlight and dust, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Adhesives age; avoid relying on a universal shelf-life estimate.
Quick Comparison
| Range | Compare | Project to consider |
|---|---|---|
| mt | Solid colors/patterns, width and length | Simple borders and color coding |
| Mind Wave | Illustrations and the specific tape material | Journal decoration and letters |
| BGM | Finish, foil details and roll dimensions | Cards and scrapbook accents |
Conclusion
Choose tape by the project: width and colors for journal borders, decorative finishes for cards, and the stated material and surface guidance for removable labels. The mt brand story explains how the company developed its colored masking tapes.
For a coordinated stationery gift, compare Japanese notebooks, beginner fountain pens and dated planners versus refill notebooks before adding decorative tape.
Photo: Emile contributor (CC BY-SA 4.0). Unmodified photograph, displayed to fit. Illustrative image; not a promise of the contents of a linked product.
Explore more Japanese buying guides to compare gifts and practical tools before choosing.
