Turn Magazine Scraps into DIY Art Tapes – Perfect for Journaling & Collage

If you love art journaling, collage, or simply finding creative ways to use up your scraps — this one’s for you. In this tutorial, I’ll show you four fun and easy techniques to turn leftover magazine pages into your own custom art tapes. These tapes are perfect for layering, decorating, and adding that unique handmade touch to your creative projects. Scroll down for the full video, materials list, and step-by-step guide

Materials

  • Magazines
  • Baking Paper
  • Double-sided tape
  • Transparent tape
  • Matte Medium
  • Bowl of water
  • Art Journal

Instructions

Transparent Tape + Matte Medium Collage Tape

  • Collect various Magazine Scraps
  • Stick a strip of transparent tape sticky-side down onto baking paper.
  • Collage magazine scraps onto the non-sticky surface using matte medium.
  • Give your collage a protective coating if desired. You can do this with another piece of transparent tape or with another layer of matte medium.
  • Let it dry completely.
  • If you want, cut into strips and peel off the baking paper.
  • Use as decorative collage tape
  • Tip: This one has a thicker feel, almost like a mini collage element. You can use your art scraps as well, but don't use scraps that are too heavy

Text Transfer Tape

  • Find a word, image, or letter you like.
  • Press the tape firmly onto a magazine text page and burnish well.
  • Peel the tape off and place it in water.
  • After a few minutes, rub the paper gently — only the ink will remain on the tape
  • Stick it into your journal.
  • For better adhesiveness, let the strip dry, add some glue (stick) to the back, and then put it into your art journal.
  • Tip: You can add multiple different letters to one piece of tape to create your own font and word.

Double-Sided Collage Tape

  • Choose a pattern or image you like
  • Turn over the image
  • Stick your double-sided tape onto a magazine page.
  • Trim off the edges.
  • Peel off the backing and stick directly into your art journal or collage
  • Try using wide tape and cutting it down into smaller strips for extra variation.

Map or Decorative Paper Tape

  • Choose a pattern or image you like
  • Stick a strip of transparent tape sticky-side down onto baking paper.
  • Glue (for example, with matte medium) a map or decorative paper on the tape. You can cut it precise or eye ball it like I do.
  • Let it dry completely.
  • Cut into strips, shapes, or punch out designs.
  • Peel off the baking paper when you’re ready to use. Works great as stickers too!

Just know: peeling off that backing paper with gel nails? A whole skill on its own.