Originally developed in Japan, washi tape has evolved from a traditional paper-based adhesive product into a global stationery category. In Japan, KAMOI Kakoshi and its mt series have set an industry benchmark. In China, many washi tape manufacturers have rapidly expanded production to support global export markets. At the same time, cross-border e-commerce has further accelerated global adoption.
Despite its popularity, the manufacturing side of the industry is still not widely understood. Washi tape manufacturers vary in design capability, customization options, production scale, and cost efficiency. This article explains how washi tape is produced and reviews key global washi tape manufacturers, helping B2B buyers make more informed sourcing decisions.
What Is Washi Tape?
Washi tape is a decorative adhesive tape used for crafting, packaging, and stationery design. Washi tape originated in Japan. It was first developed by traditional paper makers using “washi” paper made from natural fibers such as mulberry bark, bamboo, or rice straw. Later, Japanese stationery brands expanded the product by adding printed designs, color variations, and light adhesive coatings. It quickly became popular in Japan, then spread to South Korea and the U.S. craft market.
In terms of material, washi tape is made from thin paper that is slightly translucent. This allows soft layering effects when used in decoration. It is flexible, lightweight, and easy to apply to different surfaces.
- Easy to tear by hand
- Repositionable without leaving residue
- Available in many colors and printed patterns
How to Manufacture Washi Tape
1. Base Material Preparation
Washi tape usually uses thin Japanese-style paper or lightweight masking paper. The paper is chosen for its flexibility, stable thickness, and smooth surface. These features help ensure good printing results and clean handling. Before production, the paper is inspected and cut into large master rolls for further processing.
2. Printing Process
The design is printed directly onto the paper surface. Common printing methods include CMYK printing for full-color designs, spot color printing for solid tones, and special finishes such as foil stamping or UV effects. For large-volume orders, gravure printing is often used. For smaller or complex designs, digital printing offers more flexibility.
3. Adhesive Coating
After printing, a light adhesive layer is applied to the back of the paper. This determines how the tape performs in use. Most washi tape manufacturers use water-based acrylic adhesive. It provides low tack, easy repositioning, and clean removal without residue.
4. Surface Protection Treatment
A release coating is added to protect the printed surface during rolling. This layer prevents the tape from sticking to itself too strongly when stored. It also helps users peel and apply the tape smoothly without damaging the design.
5. Slitting and Rewinding
The large printed rolls are cut into narrow widths based on product specifications. After slitting, the tape is rewound into smaller rolls using paper cores. Standard lengths vary depending on order requirements. This stage converts bulk material into retail-ready sizes.
6. Core Assembly and Packaging
Finished rolls are mounted onto paper or plastic cores. They are then prepared for packaging. Packaging formats include single rolls for retail, multi-roll sets for craft kits, and custom branded boxes for OEM orders.
7. Quality Control and Final Inspection
Before shipment, each batch is checked for print accuracy, adhesive performance, and cutting precision. Good quality control ensures consistent color, stable stickiness, and clean edges.
Top 15 Washi Tape Manufacturers
Japanese Origin Washi Tape Manufacturers
1. Kamoi Kakoshi
KAMOI Kakoshi is best known for its mt masking tape series. This product line transformed traditional industrial masking tape into a decorative and creative material. The brand uses high-quality Japanese paper and offers clean removal with no residue. It is also known for its wide range of colors and designs. The mt series remains one of the most recognized washi tape product lines globally.
Year Established: 1923
Address: Kurashiki City, Japan
Website: https://www.masking-tape.jp/
Key Products: Washi tapes, industrial adhesive tapes, protective tapes
2. ROUND TOP
ROUND TOP is known for its close collaboration with designers. It creates visually distinctive and high-quality products. Washi tape is one of its core product lines. The brand uses Japanese paper and offers full-color printing with unique die-cut designs.
ROUND TOP focuses on design-driven development. It combines creative concepts with manufacturing expertise. Its products are widely used in journaling, packaging decoration, and craft projects, especially in design-focused retail markets.
Year Established: 2013
Address: Hiroshima, Japan
Website: https://roundtop.jp/
Key Products: Washi tapes, stickers, clear masking tapes, wall stickers, roll sticky notes
3. KAMIISO
KAMIISO was originally a wholesaler of traditional washi paper. It has developed into a fully integrated manufacturer covering planning, design, printing, and production. Today, the company offers a wide range of paper products. These include washi tape, stickers, kaishi paper, and other stationery items. It operates its own factory in Japan and focuses on stable quality and precise production. KAMIISO uses traditional materials and applies advanced techniques such as foil stamping. It combines craftsmanship with modern design and continuous product development.
Year Established: 1926
Address: Kagawa Prefecture, Japan
Website: https://www.kamiiso.co.jp/
Key Products: Washi tapes, washi stickers, clear tape, labels, masking tape
4. Rinrei Tape
Rinrei Tape has a strong foundation in adhesive technology. The company originally focused on washi tape production. Today, its washi tape is used in masking, packaging, and general applications. It also offers other functional tapes, but washi-based products remain an important part of its portfolio.
Rinrei Tape emphasizes in-house manufacturing and stable quality control. It continues to develop new products and supports custom solutions. The company is positioned as a reliable and technology-driven washi tape manufacturer for global markets.
Year Established: 1966
Address: Tokyo, Japan
Website: https://www.rinrei-tape.co.jp/
Key Products: Washi tapes, PE tapes, PET tapes
Chinese Custom Washi Tape Manufacturers
5. Momo Washi
Momo Washi is a dedicated washi tape manufacturer. It offers a wide range of products, including printed, foil, glitter, die-cut, stamp, and clear tapes. The company operates an integrated production process.
Momo Washi uses advanced printing technology and follows strict quality control standards. It supports customization and works with international brands. The factory area is about 2,000 ㎡, with a daily output of up to 500,000 rolls. The company also focuses on eco-friendly materials and sustainable production practices.
Year Established: 2009
Address: Guangdong, China
Key Products: Printed washi tapes, glitter washi tapes, foil washi tapes, clear tapes, stamps
6. Artcool
Artcool is a global supplier of stationery products. It operates manufacturing facilities in China and Vietnam, including a 12,000㎡ factory in Vietnam. The company offers integrated services covering design, sampling, and mass production. It supports OEM and ODM projects for international clients.
Artcool has a team of over 20 in-house designers. The team tracks market trends and develops new product ideas. Production follows strict quality standards, with certifications such as FSC, BSCI, and ISO 9001.
Serving major markets in the U.S. and Europe, Artcool positions itself as a one-stop manufacturing partner. It combines scalable production with design-driven solutions for global brands and wholesalers.
Year Established: 2014
Address: Zhejiang, China
Website: https://artcoolstationery.com/
Key Products: Hardcover notebooks, stationery, washi tapes, softcover notebooks, planners, stickers
7. Washi Mill
Washi Mill is a specialized washi tape manufacturer. The company operates a 13,000㎡ factory with over 30 automated machines and multiple production lines. Monthly output exceeds 1.4 million rolls.
Washi Mill focuses on custom production. Its product range includes printed, foil, glitter, die-cut, and other specialty tapes. It supports OEM projects for both small and large businesses.
The company runs in-house production with equipment for printing, slitting, and rewinding. It emphasizes stable quality through strict inspection and full pre-shipment checks. Japanese raw materials are also used in production.
Year Established: 2014
Address: Guangdong, China
Key Products: Custom washi tapes, planners, stickers, 3D raised foil washi tapes, postcards
8. IEEBEE Tape
IEEBEE Tape provides a range of adhesive tapes, including washi tape, painter’s tape, and double-sided tape. Its products are sold in over 40 countries. It supports customization for different applications. IEEBEE Tape focuses on product versatility and stable adhesive performance. It serves global customers with both decorative and functional tape solutions.
Year Established: 2017
Address: China
Key Products: Wahie tapes, 3D journal books, ordinary washi tapes, hot stamping washi tapes, solid color washi tapes
9. Craft Washi
Craft Washi is a specialized manufacturer of washi tape and paper-based stationery products. The company operates a 13,000㎡ factory with integrated production lines covering raw materials, printing, finishing, and packaging.
Its product range includes printed, foil, die-cut, and other specialty washi tapes, as well as stickers and memo products. It supports OEM and ODM services, with flexible MOQs and in-house design support. Craft Washi uses advanced equipment and Japanese raw materials. It offers over 100 foil color options for different design needs.
Year Established: 2012
Address: Guangdong, China
Key Products: Washi tapes, glitter washi tapes, stickers, ink stamps, memo pads, notebooks
North American Washi Tape Manufacturers
10. The Washi Tape Shop
The Washi Tape Shop is a design-driven washi tape manufacturer. The company focuses on premium washi tape production. It uses advanced Japanese HD digital printing to create high-resolution designs and vibrant finishes, including foil effects.
With in-house production, it develops original and artist-driven tape collections. Today, The Washi Tape Shop serves customers in over 200 countries. It positions itself as a global supplier of high-quality, design-focused washi tape for craft, stationery, and packaging markets.
Year Established: 2017
Address: Toronto, Canada
Website: https://thewashitapeshop.com/
Key Products: Washi tapes, PET tapes, stamps, stickers, journals
11. Continental Tape Printers
Continental Tape Printers is a custom printed washi tape manufacturer focused on packaging and adhesive tape solutions. The company offers a range of products, including printed washi tape, masking tape, water-activated tape, and security tape.
It provides in-house design support and customized printing services across a range of tape materials. Continental Tape Printers uses exclusive ink systems that allow printing on pressure-sensitive tapes without adding extra release coatings. This helps reduce environmental impact. Its paper cores are made from 100% recycled paper. Water-activated tapes also use recycled materials and water-based inks.
Year Established: 1994
Address: NewYork, USA
Website: https://www.printedcustomtape.com/index.html
Key Products: Custom printed washi tapes, polypropylene tapes, masking tapes, hlatback tapes, labels
12. Simply Gilded
Simply Gilded is a design-driven stationery brand best known for its premium washi tape collections, especially its foil-stamped designs. The brand focuses on washi tape as its core product. It also offers stickers, memo pads, and stationery sets built around unified design themes. Simply Gilded regularly releases new collections to keep its product line fresh.
Year Established: 2015
Address: Texas, USA
Website: https://simplygilded.com/
Key Products: Washi tapes, PET tapes, washi art supplies, gift cards, stationery
European Washi Tape Manufacturers
13. Lately Studio
Lately Studio focuses on retro-inspired stationery products, including washi tape, wrapping paper, greeting cards, and stickers. The company develops its designs in-house. Its visual style is influenced by vintage patterns and mid-century design.
Its washi tape collections are designed for journaling, gift wrapping, and everyday creative use. Lately Studio combines illustration-based design with practical stationery products for the UK and international craft markets.
Year Established: 2021
Address: Bedfordshire, UK
Website: https://latelystudio.co.uk/
Key Products: Washi tapes, craft paper, sticker sheets, cards, wrap
14. Note and Wish
Note & Wish focuses on hand-drawn stationery inspired by the British countryside, vintage aesthetics, and classic literature. Washi tape is one of its core product categories. The brand offers decorative collections such as foil washi tape, slim tape, and PET tape. Note & Wish emphasizes original in-house illustration and consistent visual design. In addition to washi tape, it also sells stickers, journals, wax seals, and other creative stationery products.
Year Established: 2017
Address: Derbyshire, UK
Website: https://noteandwish.com/
Key Products: Washi tapes, stickers, gift cards, stamps, journals
15. GretelCreates
GretelCreates focuses on creative paper goods and decorative stationery products. The brand offers a wide range of washi tapes, including foil designs and themed decorative collections. GretelCreates also emphasizes eco-friendly materials and packaging. Some washi tapes use natural fibers such as hemp and bamboo, while packaging materials are recyclable or plastic-free where possible.
Year Established: Not disclosed on the official website
Address: Germany
Website: https://gretelcreates.com/
Key Products: Pens, washi tapes, stamps, stickers, planners, papers
Conclusion
When choosing a washi tape manufacturer, it is important to look beyond appearance. Focus on design capability, production stability, and customization options. Different washi tape manufacturers also follow different positioning strategies. Some specialize in stable bulk supply. Others focus on unique designs and small-batch customization.
For wholesalers and brands, the first step is to clearly define business needs. This includes annual volume, target market, and quality requirements. These factors help identify the right type of supplier and avoid mismatches.
Sample testing is also an essential step before formal cooperation. Key evaluation points include paper texture, adhesive strength, clean removal, print accuracy, and size tolerance. It is also important to check basic certifications such as ISO or BSCI. For the U.S. and European markets, environmental compliance standards like RoHS and REACH should be considered.
