Frame It with Craft Tape: 13 Easy Ways to Highlight Photos & Artwork

Use Craft Tape to Highlight Artwork

Picture frames don’t have to be expensive or store-bought to make a big impact. With a little creativity and a few rolls of craft tape, you can turn your walls into a personalized gallery. Whether you’re decorating a dorm room, classroom, or cozy corner at home, decorative tape offers a simple, affordable, and artistic way to frame, highlight, and enhance your favorite photos and artwork.

Be sure to check out our TapeEz in action, showing how it helps create neat edges and makes finding the washi tape end quick and easy—perfect for kids and adults alike!

1. Create Faux Frames on the Wall

Skip traditional frames all together and make your own directly on the wall using craft tape.

Washi Tape Frames: Available in countless colors, patterns, and textures, washi tape is perfect for creating rectangular, oval, or even arch-shaped frames directly on your wall.
Geometric Designs: Use painter’s tape or bold-patterned decorative tapes to create clean lines or abstract geometric borders.
Grid Gallery Walls: Use patterned tape to form a windowpane grid on your wall, placing photos within each square for a structured, modern gallery look.

2. Embellish Store-Bought Frames

Already have frames? Add character with decorative craft tape.

Tape Borders: Wrap plain frame edges with patterned washi tape to instantly refresh their look.
Pattern Mixing: Combine striped, dotted, or floral tapes for an eclectic border that stands out.
Seasonal Themes: Switch out your washi tape with the seasons—think pastels in spring, plaids in fall, or metallics for winter holidays.

3. DIY Frames from Scratch

Create your own photo frames using craft tape and a bit of cardboard.

Cardboard + Tape: Cut cardboard into your desired frame size, then wrap it with colorful patterned tape for a custom finish.
Layered Tape Looks: Mix different patterns and textures of decorative tape to create a patchwork or quilted appearance.

4. Highlight the Edges of Art or Photos

Use washi tape to draw attention to your images without enclosing them.

Thin Tape Borders: Outline artwork with neon or metallic washi tape to make it pop.
Shadow Box Effect: Use layered tape behind the photo to mimic the depth of a shadow box.
Diagonal Corners: Add small angled tape strips to photo corners for a vintage, scrapbook-inspired look.

5. Interactive & Changeable Displays

Take advantage of washi tape’s low-stick nature to create changeable displays.

Gallery Swap System: Use decorative tape to attach photos or prints to a poster board or wall, swapping them out easily as your mood or season changes.
Kids’ Art Wall: Create a sectioned display for children’s artwork using washi tape, complete with labeled name strips.

6. Typography & Monogram Frames

Use colourful craft tape to add text elements to your wall display.

Tape Typography: Craft large letters or words out of tape, then fill them with smaller photos or illustrations.
Word Borders: Use washi tape with printed phrases or hand-letter your own for a meaningful, customized border.

7. Dimensional Designs & Layers

Play with depth and visual texture using layered decorative tape.

3D Frames: Offset multiple layers of tape to create the illusion of depth around your images.
Drop Shadows: Use a darker craft tape beneath your frame tape to create a faux shadow effect.

8. Theme-Based Displays

Customize your washi tape frames to match specific themes.

Travel Display: Use map-print washi tape to frame vacation snapshots or postcards.
Nature-Inspired: Choose floral or wood grain decorative tape to frame nature photography.
Minimalist: Stick to black-and-white or solid color tapes for a sleek, contemporary vibe.

9. Taped Photo Collages

Forget symmetry—embrace a casual, dynamic collage using craft tape.

Overlapping Tape Styles: Use various washi tape styles to tape photos directly to the wall at playful angles.
Mood Boards: Incorporate cutouts, color swatches, and dried flowers using small pieces of decorative tape for a mixed-media feel.

10. Chalkboard & Dry-Erase Tape Frames

Make your washi tape frames functional as well as stylish.

Chalkboard Tape: Label your photos or artwork with erasable messages and dates.
Dry-Erase Borders: Frame classroom or family artwork with dry-erase tape for interactive messaging.

11. Holiday & Event Displays

Use decorative tape to celebrate the moments that matter most.

Birthday Timeline: Frame a series of birthday or baby photos using fun, themed craft tape.
Wedding Memories: Display engagement and wedding photos using lace-pattern or metallic tape.
Holiday Cards: Create a festive card wall framed with decorative holiday-themed tapes.

12. Creative Corners & Embellishments

Sometimes the smallest touches make the biggest impact.

Corner Accents: Add tiny pieces of craft tape just to the corners of photos for a subtle yet effective frame.
Mini Flags & Tabs: Fold tape into tabs or flags for whimsical decoration—perfect for party or children’s artwork displays.

13. Mix with Other Materials

Combine washi tape with string, corkboard, or other crafting materials.

Tape + String: Use tape to attach photos to a “clothesline” of string for a hanging gallery effect.
Tape + Pegboard: Define zones on a corkboard or pegboard with colorful decorative tape to organize your display.

Final Tips for Framing with Washi Tape

Test Before Applying: Make sure your decorative tape won’t damage your walls—test a small patch first.
Keep It Straight: Use a level or ruler for clean, even lines.
Match Your Style: Choose craft tape colors and patterns that complement your existing décor for a cohesive look.

Conclusion

Craft tape is more than a crafting supply—it’s a tool for creative self-expression. With just a few rolls of tape, you can bring personality, color, and structure to your favorite memories. Whether you’re designing a modern gallery wall or a playful kids’ art display, craft tape opens the door to endless design possibilities. So grab your tape, gather your photos, and start framing your world—your way.