Okay so I was sitting on my sofa the other night looking at the artwork on my wall thinking about my frames and how I’d love to do something with them. I’m not in the painting mood. And then I thought about decoupaging the frames. No, not feeling that idea either. Then I thought about Japanese tape and the whole obsession with it lately and how I could easily use it on my frames because it is creative and commitment-free. As I looked at the rolls I realized their width is nearly the same as the frames, so I grabbed a few frames, placed them on my table, and got started this morning with a 5 minute DIY project that I’d love to share, minus detailed instructions because it’s quite straight forward. It involves tape, a pair of scissors, and a frame. :)

The best part is, you can change them as often as you’d like because the tape leaves zero tackiness behind, it is super easy to remove, and you can use it over and over again. I imagine this being a hit with students, in work spaces at home, and for teenagers in addition to those of us who are just a bit kooky and enjoy being creative at home with our art supplies. It also does not lift the paint from the frame. It’s the perfect tape for this project so if you try this ONLY use the masking kind made with Japanese washi paper since anything else may be a problem. Also use frames they are nearly the exact width of the tape (3/4″), mine are all from IKEA. You can use the tape on the natural wood frames but since some of it is semi transparent it seems to work best on those painted white.

Fun idea, right? Of course, you can glue lace, ribbon and everything else to them instead but I wanted to do something extremely easy and inexpensive to my frames and this was the quickest solution I could find. Plus, I mean seriously, there are so many cool things to do with this Japanese tape that I couldn’t resist thinking of something new.

Tip: Select tape in colors and patterns that enhance the artwork or photos inside, for instance the grid pattern above really brings out the lines and colors of this Mississippi riverboat print by Jennifer Davis.

Here’s where you can find the tape I’ve used: Ginko Papers, Origamisan, MissMacau, washimatta, lovepetitzakkajapan, felt cafe, Pretty Tape, and the HeyDay Shop to name just a few!

Additional DIY Tip: You can use it on your shelves at home, just tape around the edging and there you have it – fun!

Have fun! (images: holly becker for decor8)

42 Responses to “Japanese Tape DIY For Frames”

1 Carmenesque commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 5:49 am

Looks great, very nice idea! :)
2 Lucy commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 5:58 am

Decor8 by name… Decor8 by nature!

Looks great Holly!

Lucy
x
.-= Lucy´s last blog ..Keep in contact.. =-.
3 Cindy commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 6:04 am

Such a great idea! I’ve been seeing this tape pop up everywhere. There is so much variety and it looks so fun! I have to pick some up.
.-= Cindy´s last blog ..Shoes and Boobs =-.
4 Merissa commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 6:06 am

That’s a wonderful idea! I went to my local Japanese store here in town and they were selling a bunch of these in pretty colors. They had even made images on their wall using the colorful tape, the salesperson said they’ll come right off without any tackiness when you want to remove it. And she also said they were the craze in Japan right now. It’s great to see that people from all over the globe can now get their hands on this pretty tape which makes us all want to do some crafting! Love it!
.-= Merissa´s last blog ..:My Kokeshi Doll: =-.
5 decor8 commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 6:08 am

Merissa – How did they do them? On frames like mine or something else?
6 Ann Flowers commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 6:43 am

neat idea. i have a bunch of ikea frames and they start to look rough over time. this idea will be great for rehabbing them. thanks!
.-= Ann Flowers´s last blog ..Studioing =-.
7 Elle commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 7:07 am

Wow, what a great idea. Ordering tapes now!
8 juliette commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 7:27 am

sometimes the best ideas are the simplest ones – I especially like the edging the shelves idea!
.-= juliette´s last blog ..Sewing: A Little Girl’s Bag =-.
9 City Chic - Jamie commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 7:31 am

I have been planning to order tape, but haven’t decided exactly what I was going to use it for, but now I know! There are so many uses for it, I don’t want to procrastinate any longer! Now to decide which colors :)
10 Zarnigar commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 7:33 am

first of all i would like to say that i lovvvvvvvve these metal birds used as wall decor ……. secondly these Japanese tapes gives ur photo frame a new life it is a wonderful idea to apply these multi-designed tapes on your photo frame and u can change it as well according to your taste ……
11 justine justine commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 8:01 am

oh! love it!
and i just ordered tape like that! can’t wait to get it and get started!
.-= justine justine´s last blog ..blue sky necklace =-.
12 Jennifer~JMNPottery commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 8:05 am

What a great idea!
13 caro commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 8:13 am

Such a great idea! I love these japanese tape, but it’s hard to get it in germany. The tapes I found are not my taste. Worse luck.
.-= caro´s last blog ..Can you see the little owl? =-.
14 decor8 commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 8:28 am

Caro – The shop links I included have many stores that ship to Germany, no problem. :)
15 Melissa de la Fuente commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 8:40 am

Such a great idea! I love it and love that blue tape!
xo
Melis
.-= Melissa de la Fuente´s last blog ..The little things: fall =-.
16 Flavia commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 8:43 am

I love this idea! I might have to do this to some of my frames as well!
.-= Flavia´s last blog ..Mood Board – Calming Bedroom =-.
17 Teresa commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 8:49 am

Perhaps this is the solution for my problem with these tapes. They don’t stick on paper/envelopes very well at all. So I’ll try another surface since I’ve bought so many of them! Love your ideas!
.-= Teresa´s last blog ..New Provisions up! =-.
18 kristin commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 8:59 am

Great idea! I need to get my hands on some of that tape…
19 B commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 9:04 am

This may be the project that finally pushes me to buy some! I love quick and easy projects.
.-= B´s last blog ..New Inspiration and a Design Dilemma =-.
20 tara g commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 9:38 am

love this idea, holly! every time i see decorative tape, i wish i had a use for it. noticed it on very plain gift packages at the enid shop online. thanks for another great idea!!
.-= tara g´s last blog ..in a word | underground =-.
21 leslie commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 9:39 am

This looks really good Holly! I love the Riverboat piece with the tape.
What Merissa may be talking about was something I saw as well, tape used to create actual imagery directly on a wall. Little bits of tape used to make a heart and a flower shape all stuck on the wall…I cannot get enough of this tape as the possibilities seem endless!
.-= leslie´s last blog ..Color Me Pretty Time =-.
22 Saima commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 9:53 am

What a great idea! They look fab :)
.-= Saima´s last blog ..An Apple a Day =-.
23 Ana commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 9:58 am

This is such a great idea and such beautiful results!!
24 decor8 commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 10:09 am

Leslie – Oh I “see” what you mean, I can visualize that and wow, it sounds really, really cool. :)
25 Jenn commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 10:27 am

Great idea and such a nice way to color up a white wall! Can’t wait for my tape to arrive.
.-= Jenn´s last blog ..Shop Update and Giveaway! =-.
26 beth gunnell commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 11:00 am

such a simple but wonderful idea! Thanks…I’ve recently been putting up lots of frame…plain frames! now to buy some tape!!
Inspirational indeed!!
.-= beth gunnell´s last blog ..baby animals =-.
27 Missive commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 11:37 am

Oh! I love this idea–simple, ingenious and beautiful!
28 kbd commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 1:02 pm

does anyone know what the original purpose of this tape is? I’m sure it can be used in a million great ways but wonder why it was developed in the first place…
29 Erin commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 3:28 pm

I did this with oldschool electric tape a while back on shelves, but so happy to have patterns (love the frame idea!)
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Only the Brits… Present&Correct =-.
30 kate commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 3:45 pm

Genius!
.-= kate´s last blog ..Illustrated Mid Century Pitcher =-.
31 Down Pillow commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 4:01 pm

They’re just adorable! Thanks for sharing :)
32 jojoebi commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 6:49 pm

I love it, I love the idea that when you are fed up with it you can change it again, would be great for seasonal artwork.
.-= jojoebi´s last blog ..Eye’m stuck on you =-.
33 lindsey commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 8:48 pm

completely wonderful and genius! the most simple ideas usually are :) i have a couple of plain white frames in my little girl’s nursery that are just waiting for some pink and white stripes and polka dot tape!

washi tape is one of those things i liked so much taht i bought having no idea what to do with it- i knew i would find something great! thank you!
.-= lindsey´s last blog ..hooking. =-.
34 monica from hola!design commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 9:35 pm

this is BRILLIANT! love it! thanks for sharing
.-= monica from hola!design´s last blog ..Massimo Vignelli =-.
35 Alex Louisa commented:
October 9th, 2009 at 5:53 am

I’ve been trying very hard to resist buying this tape, because it’s highly likely I’d go nuts and buy a silly amount of it, but I can see it working so well on gift tags. I think my favourite part of giving gifts is making the tag to go on it :)

Thanks for including Jennifer Davis’s name too – I love that print!!
.-= Alex Louisa´s last blog ..Artwork Preview =-.
36 Leigh @ Constant Cravings commented:
October 10th, 2009 at 11:10 am

This is my favorite use of washi tape so far. My head is dancing with ideas. :)
.-= Leigh @ Constant Cravings´s last blog ..Object Of My Affection =-.
37 Penny Patten commented:
October 10th, 2009 at 2:37 pm

clever, looks great!
.-= Penny Patten´s last blog ..Aprons and Bags =-.
38 Purple Greetings Cards commented:
October 12th, 2009 at 3:11 pm

… fab idea, thanks for sharing it!
39 Elle commented:
October 19th, 2009 at 6:11 pm

My tape arrived today from Ginko Papers. Have had so much fun decorating my frames!! Thanks again for sharing this great idea!! xxx
40 Caroline @ youngDCliving commented:
April 22nd, 2010 at 6:38 pm

I’ve never heard of this kind of tape, but that frame looks amazing! I’ll definitely have to give it a try :)
41 Shemaine Smith commented:
May 28th, 2010 at 10:21 pm

I love masking tapes! I use them for scrapbooking and cardmaking and altered items. I just created a fun travel book from masking tapes that you can see here http://scraptasticdesigns.blogspot.com/2010/05/honest-days-work.html
42 Olga @ PDL commented:
May 11th, 2011 at 9:05 pm

Hi there, thanks for sharing this idea!
Olga

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