DIY Washi Tape Using Surgical Tape for Mixed Media Art Projects

In today's video I show you how to make DIY washi tape using surgical (micro-pore) tape. It is non-glossy and has a paper-like feel to it, just like washi tape itself. I show two methods and a bonus technique in the middle.
I mention a technique in the middle of the video that I learned from Yana Vallie - you can find her channel here: / @yanavallie
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🎧Music by Bensound.com and KZbin library

[@ginah9338]

I can not thank you enough for ending my quest to finding the right tape to make this! Excellent way of making washi tape! Thank you so much! I love how you stamped it! keep up the great work!

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thanks Gina, have fun making your own washi tape!

[@kristenhead]

I had a whole box of expired micropore tape so I looked up artistic uses for it rather than simply tossing it out. Very happy to have found your video, thank you!

[@KariGibsonArt]

Yay, you will put it to good use now! 💗💗

[@katanyajason3316]

I love this idea! You can use baking paper as a base instead of the plastic table mat. That way you can leave the tape on it and simply roll the whole sheet up using an empty paper towel roll.

[@KariGibsonArt]

Great idea - thank you! 💗💗

[@StitchAround]

Kari- great technique! Katanya, What a great idea for storage! ❤❤

[@suzannemartinez4420]

What a great idea

[@kathybost1879]

oh thanks for that info

[@lynnboyd33]

Wow! Just now discovered you up here. I love this washi tape look with medical tapes. I've got to give this a try soThank you for the suggestion. Not to mention, I'm a new subie and I could listen to your voice overs for hours! :)

[@irisbradley8777]

Very imaginative, using surgical tape to make into washi tape!

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thank you very much ❤️

[@SiriusHeka]

I love the translucency of the tape- and of course your artistic touches- I can see Tim Holtz coming out with a close facsimile!! And the touch of gold really makes it so elegant. You always inspire and amaze me- thank you for sharing your beautiful work with us. ☺️

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thanks Lisa, the transparency of the tape is what I like about it. Oh gosh, imagine a Holtz version, it would be epic. I must experiment more, I have more ideas to try out!

[@beccasart1]

these look great, awesome idea using translucent tape! esp like the small detailed stencils on it...of course your colour choices are amazing!

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thanks so much, Becca, it was something different and I am glad you like it! 😊

[@gabrielegermaine2337]

I Like when IT IS translusant. Thank you for charing. Watching from Germany ♥️🙋

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@leannehurren9907]

Another great video. I bought some of that tape with the idea of making it into washi - going to give it a try. Love the book page technique too. Good idea putting it on a board and doing loads at once. That beetle tape - divine!!

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thanks Leanne - I can't decide if I like the book page one or the beetle one best. I am glad you are going to try it!

[@alanabooth5434]

Awesome I love this idea!❤

[@stormyswann6177]

Yes!!! This yhe one with the text. Ive been looking for you

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thank you very much! 💗💗

[@krullisgirl]

I liked it, Kari. I usually add gesso on my tape first, to get a better base. I use painters tape though. Yours were so gorgeous! 😍❤

[@KariGibsonArt]

Ahh, maybe I should have used gesso to start - great idea, Ulrika. You sent me some on painters tape and I love it!

[@barbara-dj1uo]

Love love love this idea!!!! Thanks for sharing.

[@isabelfernandez9971]

Great how creative and the result looks phenomenal, thanks for showing

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thanks so much, Isabel! 😊

[@purplejanew]

Dang I need those insects!!! I actually have that very Tesco tape in our 1st Aid box! These are gorgeous Kari!! You really know how to inspire!!! x

[@KariGibsonArt]

Oh get the insect stamps, Jane, they are fabulous, I love them! 😀❤

[@purplejanew]

@@KariGibsonArt Maybe for my birthday in September - they are quite dear! (I have been using stamps that I got so long ago that some are cracking and breaking!)

[@cheryls_creative7048]

So much inspiration! I’ve never heard of this tape, I’ll have to check the first aid kit! :) thanks Kari!

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thanks Cheryl, I hope you find some to try out!

[@ChattylaineCreates]

Microporous tape is for us people allergic to plasters 🙄🙄😁

[@Rleetuber]

Thank you, great ideas!

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thanks so much, I am glad you like them!

[@kathyb5740]

Love this !!!! Thanks for sharing....

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thank you so much Kathy! 💗💗

[@martiseelye6443]

Such fun, Kari. And to have the washi tape to use in the end is a bonus lol. I love the bugs! That was my favorite, I think. Very cool. Thanks for sharing!

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thanks Marti, I loved the bugs best too!

[@tamic7537]

Kari Love this tutorial! Thanks for sharing

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thanks for watching, Tami, I am so glad you like it!

[@headlessviolin]

This worked so well I loved it well done xx

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thank you so much, it was fun, I would make some more handmade washi, but I got given a load of lovely tapes for Christmas that I still haven't touched! 💗💗

[@pattist.laurent6626]

This turns out so beautiful, thanks for the wonderful idea, I will have to try this one to put in my journal 💕

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thanks Patti, I am glad you like them and you will add some to your journal too! 😊 ❤️😊

[@jenngraham1812]

Love it! I’m going to try it. Clear surgical tape is so handy in journals.

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thanks Jenn, it is, I love using it! 💗💗

[@enterintogodsrestaspiritua6038]

Very creative.... pinning on Pinterest

[@KariGibsonArt]

Aw, thank you very much! 💗💗

[@CreatingwithJovi]

brilliant! I enjoyed watching your process! Thank you for inspiring me to try something new :)

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thanks Jovi, I am all for trying new things!

[@Cyrilmc222004]

Thank you so much Kari that’s really really awesome. I really really love 💗❤️❤️❤️ the tape when turned into Washi tape. And I really really love ❤️ the bugs and swirls too. Thank you so much for sharing this with us all. Please stay safe and well too xxx Mags

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thank you very much, Mags, I am glad you like the tape, I think I could have made a better job of it and will try out some other ideas now I see how it works. Stay safe and well, too Mags xxx 💗❤️💗

[@Aletheiasjournal]

Gorgeous tapes, Kari! I made some months ago and i used painter tape, it works well too 💖 I love yours, the second one is stunning with that gold touches 😊

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thanks Ana, I like this tape because it is fairly translucent. I have heard of people using double sided tape, which I want to try too.

[@YanaVallie]

Everything which is translucent I just love! This is a fantastic project Kari, I especially fancy the second batch, I can't wait to see how you use it in your future journaling 💙

[@KariGibsonArt]

Me too, Yana, I love layering translucent pieces. Did you see where I used your book page idea? You did get a mention for that!

[@YanaVallie]

@@KariGibsonArt ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤 Thank you for that Kari, I appreciate you mentioning my channel and most of all I feel very proud of having suggested something to you. something you love and would use on your beautiful journal pages ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤

[@elizabethnaisbitt1795]

Your home-made washi-tape is excellent, those colours are glorious. Loved how you did the book page one, I wonder what it would be like over a black and white picture in a book, ofc it would only have to be quite narrow cos of the size of the tape, but might be worth an experiment. Tfs xo

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thanks Elizabeth, I am glad you like them. I love the book page one too and what a great idea to try over a B&W picture. I will try that! ❤️😊 ❤️

[@queenzummo]

I tried the book page, but it didn’t work. I’ll have to try some different books.

[@anniethestar7243]

Amazing! Like

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thank you, Annie! Cheers!

[@PMartistStudio]

How Fun and what a fantastic way to make your own washi tape! Definitely going to try this! Thinking about doing the pull technique with printed papers, might be interesting. Or maybe trying a lift from the paper to the top of the tape.

[@KariGibsonArt]

OH yes, that sounds like it would work, let me know how you get on, different inks will probably have different results, I think.

[@PMartistStudio]

@@KariGibsonArt Will do, and yes I think so too.

[@antoinettecastle4739]

What a great idea! I bet small children would like ot on their poor lies too!!! Seriously though its gorgeous and cheap! 🥰💕🥰

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thanks Toni, yes it will be good for micro poorlies! It is nice to have my own designs anyway! 💕🥰💕

[@peppersware269]

You are a genius!!! Thanks!!!

[@KariGibsonArt]

Aw, you are so kind - thanks for watching! 💗💗

[@peppersware269]

@@KariGibsonArt I GOT ME SOME SURGICAL TAPE AND IN READDDDYYYY!!!! Whooo Hooo!!!!

[@KariGibsonArt]

@@peppersware269 YAY! Have fun! 💗

[@peppersware269]

@@KariGibsonArt I DID IT! So exciting!!! Just plain black using a sharpie for a trial run but I love it. So cost effective too and can tailor to what you need! I just need some masking tape now for the ones that may bleed. Thanks again… you’re simply amazing!!! 🤩

[@katierose7539]

I like to use washi tape but rarely find any that I like. This is a perfect way to get exactly the colors you want. I have a few new pads of distress oxide that weren’t the colors I had anticipated and now I think they will be perfect for this. How are you storing it for later use?

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thanks Kate, yes it gives you the control to do what you want. The distress oxides would be great, I am sure. I wrapped the red one around a piece of plastic the size of a credit card, but found it lifted some of the paint a bit. the insect one, I have left on the plastic sheet I used to make it and will leave it there until I use it, I think.

[@kathybost1879]

lovely- I never trust washi tape, I always glue- I have some micropore tape and will try this -tfs- I wonder if we could use a very large acrylic block if we don't have a large piece of plastic.

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thanks Kathy, yes, I always glue washi, it just comes of at a later date otherwise. I suppose any surface that isn't porous would work instead of the plastic, probably best to test it out first! 💗💗

[@llovmaartje6296]

Hello! Great video! I love it and i wanna going do it myself. In the video i saw a lot of thin paper, i think tissue paper: with that dragonfly on it. How did you made it and on what way do you use it? Very nice. Greetings Maartje

[@KariGibsonArt]

Hi Maartje, thank you for your comment, I show how to make the tissue paper that I use in a video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF67Y5utqpuBaLs

[@elainet5870]

These look wonderful! Funny, I recently threw away some similar old medical tape!!! Can you tell me again what you were using for a base, on which to put the tape? TFS.

[@KariGibsonArt]

Darn, you could have used it, mind you, it isn't expensive to buy. I used a plastic place mat that I bought from B&M earlier in the year to cut down for book covers. You can also use glass or plastic chopping boards. Thanks for watching, Elaine!

[@fuzzydragons]

I need to try this!! lol not sure if there is any surgical tape, (prob is somewhere the amount of times I hurt myself lol)😀

[@KariGibsonArt]

Or you have used it all up, LOL!

[@fuzzydragons]

lol prob have

[@ChattylaineCreates]

Ooh I missed this one, I keep meaning to have a go at making my own washi tape... They were lovely.. Not sure why the stamps didn't work on that blue... Very odd! Maybe it's that particular colour being a transparent blue... Still turned out lovely 😁😁💖

[@KariGibsonArt]

Thanks Elaine, it is nice to have your own washi, I have seen some use masking tape as well. I may try that.

[@ChattylaineCreates]

@@KariGibsonArt yes I've seen people use masking tape too... Or you could use double sided tape and stick things down, I suppose that's more like a snippet roll though 🤔😁 have fun xx 💖😁🌷

[@KariGibsonArt]

@@ChattylaineCreates I bought some double sided tape to try it out, I may do that later!

[@ChattylaineCreates]

@@KariGibsonArt Wilkos do 2" double sided tape, it's in the hardware section.. Just FYI my Mum uses it to stick her cross stitches down to her card blank xx

[@suzannemartinez4420]

Wonder if watercolor would work?🤔

[@KariGibsonArt]

I have a feeling watercolour won't work, Suzanne, the surface is quite slick. 💗💗

[@lindabarnett7653]

what kind of paint do you use with the stencils?

[@KariGibsonArt]

Hi Linda, I usually use Daler Rowney System3 Acrylics when I am stenciling, although sometimes I use gouache, but that is rare. 💗💗

[@lindabarnett7653]

@@KariGibsonArt Thanks! I was afraid you wouldn't see my question since this video was a while ago. But I just purchased some of the surgical tape and your video is a huge help!