If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a half-finished scrapbook spread, flipping through old photos of family holidays, graduation parties, or childhood birthday parties, wondering what small detail could pull the whole page together, you’ve probably asked yourself a simple question: what kind of border works best? For years, scrapbookers relied on patterned paper, die-cut shapes, or thin ribbon to frame their most precious memory, but lately, I’ve heard more and more creators asking about kraft paper tape. As a supplier who’s been working with kraft paper tape for over eight years, I get this question a lot, and I’m here to break down the answer beyond the pretty photos on Pinterest: yes, kraft paper tape absolutely can be used for creating borders in scrapbooks—and it’s one of the most underrated, versatile, and budget-friendly tools you can add to your scrapbooking kit. Kraft Paper Tape
Let’s start with what makes kraft paper tape different from other border materials, because that’s the first thing anyone should consider before using it. Unlike decorative paper that tears or fades over time, kraft paper tape is made from natural, unbleached kraft paper, which is known for its strength and durability. It’s not the glossy, coated paper you use for wrapping gifts; it’s a thick, matte paper that’s treated with a non-toxic adhesive, which means it won’t leave sticky residue on your photos, your journaling cards, or your scrapbook pages. For scrapbookers, that’s a big deal—your scrapbook isn’t just a craft project; it’s a heirloom. You want the borders you create to hold up for decades, not to curl or discolor after a year. I’ve had customers tell me they’ve used our kraft paper tape to make borders on scrapbooks that are now 15 years old, and the borders still look as crisp as the day they applied them. That level of longevity is hard to find with thin ribbon or patterned paper, which can fray or yellow over time.
Next, let’s talk about the aesthetic flexibility of kraft paper tape, because that’s what really makes it stand out for scrapbook borders. A lot of people see kraft paper and think it’s just brown, plain, and too rustic for scrapbooking, but that’s a myth. Our kraft paper tape comes in different weights—we have thin ½-inch rolls for delicate, subtle borders, and 2-inch wide rolls for bold, statement borders. You can tear it, cut it, stamp on it, color it with markers or watercolors, or even add small embellishments like twine or buttons right on top of the border. For example, if you’re making a scrapbook page for your grandma’s 80th birthday, you can use a thin strip of kraft paper tape to frame a photo of her, then stamp small flowers or her initials along the border with archival ink. If you’re putting together a scrapbook for a hiking trip, you can use a 2-inch wide kraft paper tape border, color it with green and brown watercolors to look like a forest, and add small die-cut leaves or pinecones on top. The matte finish of kraft paper also pairs well with almost any other scrapbook material—bright patterned paper, black and white photos, pastel journaling cards, even metallic embellishments. It’s that neutral backdrop that lets your photos and memories take center stage, instead of distracting from them.
I know a lot of scrapbookers worry about how easy kraft paper tape is to work with, especially if you’re new to scrapbooking borders. Let’s be real—some border materials require special tools, like a paper trimmer to cut perfect lines, or heat-sealing to keep ribbon from fraying. Kraft paper tape is simple. You can tear it by hand if you want a soft, uneven edge, which adds a handmade, personal touch to your scrapbook. Or you can cut it with regular scissors for a straight, clean line, if that’s what your page calls for. The adhesive is strong enough to stay in place, but it’s also easy to reposition if you make a mistake—so you don’t have to worry about ruining your page if you stick it down wrong the first time. I’ve seen new scrapbookers use our tape to create basic borders for their first pages, and then move on to more creative designs once they get comfortable. It’s a low-stakes way to experiment with border styles without investing in a bunch of expensive tools or materials.
Another big plus for scrapbookers is the cost-effectiveness of kraft paper tape. Patterned scrapbook paper can be expensive, especially if you’re using a whole sheet just for a border. Ribbon is also pretty pricey, and you usually only get a few yards per spool. Our kraft paper tape rolls are affordable, and a single roll can make dozens of borders—so you can create multiple pages without breaking the bank. That’s great if you’re working on a large scrapbook, like a wedding album or a year-in-review album, where you need consistent borders for dozens of pages. You can also buy different widths and weights, so you can mix and match for different pages—thin tape for small photos, wide tape for full-page spreads—without spending a lot of money.
Of course, no material is perfect, and it’s important to be honest about the limitations of kraft paper tape for scrapbook borders. If you’re making a scrapbook page that you want to be super fancy, with lots of glitter or shiny embellishments, you might want to pair kraft paper tape with other materials, instead of using it as the only border. For example, you can use a thin kraft paper tape strip as a base, then add a thin line of metallic washi tape on top for a little sparkle. Also, keep in mind that kraft paper is a light brown color, so if you’re looking for a bright, white border, kraft paper tape isn’t going to work for that—but there are ways to customize it. You can color it with white markers or paint, or even use a white stamp on top of the kraft paper to make it look bright. The key is to work with the material’s strengths, not against them.
I’ve seen some of the most beautiful scrapbook pages made with kraft paper tape borders, and they all have one thing in common: the creator used the tape to tell a story, not just to frame a photo. For example, a customer of mine recently made a scrapbook page for her kid’s first day of school, using a 1-inch wide kraft paper tape border along the bottom of the page. She stamped small apple shapes along the border, wrote “1st day of 1st grade” in small letters, and stuck a photo of her kid holding their backpack right in the middle. It was simple, but the kraft paper border made the page feel warm and personal, not too flashy, which was exactly what she wanted. Another customer used torn kraft paper tape borders around a collection of old polaroids from a family camping trip, adding small twine bows tied to the corners of the border. The natural texture of the kraft paper matched the outdoor theme of the photos perfectly, and it made the whole collection feel cohesive.
If you’re still on the fence about trying kraft paper tape for your scrapbook borders, here’s a quick tip: start small. Pick a page with a single photo, use a thin strip of kraft paper tape to frame it, and see how you like the look. You don’t have to re-do your whole scrapbook at once. Try stamping a small design on the border, or coloring one edge with a marker, to add a little personality. Once you get comfortable, you can experiment with wider tape, torn edges, or combining it with other materials.
As someone who’s spent years helping scrapbookers find the right materials for their projects, I can tell you that kraft paper tape isn’t just a trend—it’s a practical, timeless tool that works for almost any scrapbook style. Whether you’re a beginner just starting out, a seasoned scrapbooker working on a new album, or someone who likes to make small, personal craft gifts for friends and family, kraft paper tape can help you create beautiful, lasting borders that highlight your most precious memories.
If you’re interested in trying kraft paper tape for your next scrapbook project, or you have questions about widths, weights, or customization options, feel free to reach out to us to discuss your needs. We’re always happy to help scrapbookers find the right materials for their unique projects.
PVC Tape References
- The Paper Project. (2021). Natural Kraft Paper: Properties and Applications in Paper Crafts. Retrieved from craft and paper industry resources
- Scrapbook and Crafts Magazine. (2022). Top 10 Materials for Scrapbook Borders. Retrieved from scrapbooking industry publications
- Adhesive Technology for Paper Products Journal. (2020). Non-Toxic Adhesives for Archival Paper Crafting. Retrieved from academic paper resources for craft materials
Haining Sunrich Adhesive Tape Products Co., Ltd.
As one of the most professional kraft paper tape manufacturers and suppliers in China, we also support customized service. Please feel free to wholesale high-grade kraft paper tape in stock here from our factory. Welcome to contact us for quotation.
Address: No. 1 Chuangxin Road, Qianjiang Industrial Park, Dingqiao Town, Haining City, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, China
E-mail: yongruitape@gmail.com
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