If you’ve been visiting here for a
while, then:
a) I’m very grateful
b) I like you, and
c) You might remember this project
The lacy strip near the top of the image is made with digital lace (a sheet from one of my favourite Kitschy Digitals kits), printed out and turned into a length of sticky tape. I recently worked on another project using the same technique and it reminded me of how very simple-but-satisfying the process is; you can make it work with all kinds of different pictures and patterns, as well as text, dingbats, etc.. to create unique deco-style tape strips as and when you want them. Rather than sitting here all smuggity-smug, surrounded by the scraps, though, I’m going to take my mum’s age-old advice and share, because sharing is nice. So here, with the minimum of further fuss, is how you make your own decorative sticky-tape strips.
:: First of all, you’ll need to get hold of the printer
sheets – I used Safmat, which is a clear self-adhesive film, made by Letraset.
You can find it here,
at around £7.00 (US$11) for 10 sheets. Unless you have very big sticky-tape
plans, that should last you quite a while, bearing in mind you can print and
cut multiple decorative strips from a single sheet.
:: Next, decide on a design, or designs, for your tape
strips. I created mine using simple rectangular shape-boxes in PowerPoint (I’m
unsophisticated like that), but you could also use more traditional image-based
software (e.g. Photoshop, Elements, Illustrator) or even, at a push, MS Word
for simpler designs. The strips you create can be as wide or as narrow as you
like, using colours to coordinate with a particular project, or just printing a
selection to store with your ready-to-use creative supplies. I’ve included a
list of ideas below, plus links to a few digital products that would work
well. That said, you definitely don’t need to spend lots of money on
downloadables – there are plenty of free fonts and dingbats available online,
as well as those which come ready-installed on your computer.
N.B. For speed, or if you're not confident about creating your own designs, try printing off a full-sheet design, such as the Kitschy Digitals lace (see below). From that, you can trim your tape strips to size. Alternatively, there's an easy-peasy, open-and-print freebie for you to download at the end of this post.
:: Once you’ve filled a full A4-size (or equivalent) sheet with your strip designs, print it out on to a piece of plain printer paper, just to check you’re happy with how everything looks. Make any necessary adjustments or changes, then re-print the sheet on to your self-adhesive film.
:: Set the film aside to dry off for a few minutes,
then cut your strips to size. You can do this with a craft knife, trimmer or
scissors – try experimenting with deco-blades to create pinked or
scallop-edged tapes.
:: Your tape strips are now ready to use. You can work
with full-length strips, or trim them to size, using smaller amounts of each
one at a time. To store and keep them together, try punching a hole in one end
of each strip, then threading on to a piece of ribbon or a book-ring.
Design ideas
-:- As you can see from the top of the post, I love making lacy tapes. You can use the full sheet from this Kitschy Digitals kit, or individual pieces from this one. Experiment with altering the colours (Danielle has a great tutorial if you’re not sure how), and also re-sizing for different effects.
-:- Make a simple silhouette-style dingbat
shapes more interesting by colouring them in rainbow order, or graduated shades
of the same colour, like a paint-chip chart.
-:- Try a few of the designer dingbats in the
fonts section at Two Peas In A Bucket. The David Walker
sets are so good it’s hard to pick a favourite. I also like these two designs
by Elsie, and Rhonna Farrer’s
Wicked Awesome.
-:- Scrap’n’Fonts
call their symbol fonts Doodlebats, and they have some really cute themed sets.
Karma Borders
and Foliage
would both lend themselves especially well to tape designs.
-:- If you make cards, think about creating
some strips with regularly-used phrases, e.g. happy birthday, thank you, for
you, etc.. You can use them as a decorative finish on the front of your cards,
or to add your sentiment inside..
-:- Repeat a single element, such as a number
(someone’s age) or an initial (maybe your family surname), in various different
fonts, styles and/or colours for a personalised strip of tape.
-:- Digital border and ribbon kits are pretty
much made for the job. Just check they’re the right size for your tape sheet,
then print. I love Jen Allyson’s Shabby Accent
Borders, these cute stitches
by Katie Pertiet and I’m also super-smitten by these Rob and Bob
ribbons.
-:- Print out names to personalise presents or
leave named notes for members of your family.
-:- Make strips of faux-buttons with this Kitschy Digitals
kit, or a row of tiny feathers with this one.
-:- Use simple shapes to create patterned
strips, e.g. stripes (vertical or diagonal), plaid, polka dots or pretty
ginghgam-style checks.
-:- Think about adding
textures, too – maybe canvas, grainy leather or woodgrain.
Ways to use your sticky tape:
-:- For clipping up notes or photos, e.g. on
the fridge
-:- To personalise stationery, either by
adding a decorative strip to plain sheets, or including something like your
initials or contact details.
-:- To decorate scrapbook pages, or hold other
parts of a layout in place (they can be a great way of using digital
scrapbooking kits, if you’re a hybrid or paper scrapper. The clear sticky film
also means you get a look similar to an acetate overlay, without the problems
of fixing it in place).
-:- To label containers or office stationery.
You can either pre-print the relevant label/word, or hand-write it with marker
pen on a patterned strip.
-:- To decorate clear glasses for a party.
Wrap tape around each glass (single or multiple strips, as you like), either in
the middle or near the bottom edge. It will easily peel off afterwards without
leaving marks or damaging your crockery.
-:- To wrap presents or affix gift-tags
-:- As page-tabs in a mini-book or
file-folder. Fold short strips in half and stick the ends around the edges of
your chosen page, allowing the folded section to stick out at the top or side.
-:- To dress up plain jewellery. Wrap a strip
around a simple bangle to add decoration. Spray with clear varnish to fix it
permanently, or peel off after wearing for a temporary makeover.
-:- To decorate glass jars
and bottles filled with collections, cosmetics or handmade produce.
Obviously, neither of those lists is exhaustive,
and I’m guessing that if you give the project a go, you’ll come up with plenty
more ideas, both in terms of design and use for your tape. To get you started,
though, just in case you’re feeling overwhelmed, I’ve put together a quick
download – a full sheet of tape-strips, ready to print out, sized at A4 if
you’re in the UK, or US letter-size if you prefer.
Download Sticky-tape strips (UK)
Download Sticky-tape strips (US)
Feel free to download it, send your friends over to download it and to use it as often as you like, but just on personal projects, pretty please. If you do have a go at creating your own tape, I’d love to see what you make. Leave me a link in the comments, because although my mum was right about the sharing thing, she’s wrong about being nosy. It’s a good thing – honestly, Mum.
