Transitioning from a traditional industry
In addition to tape created through cooperation between manufacturers and designers, ordinary consumers can also make and share their own original tape creations.
“InkFool” is a brand developed under the flag of the Aiska International Corporation. It provides customized printing services, allowing consumers to transform their own illustrations into craft tape.
Tank Chen, who heads up product design in InkFool’s digital printing department, says that this line of business all started when the boss threw a roll of washi tape at him and asked him to figure out how it was manufactured. The underlying business question was this: How is it that this little roll of tape could sell for more than ten times the price of traditional adhesive tape?
Chen explains that craft tape requires markedly different adhesiveness compared to ordinary tape. It must be made so that it can be removed from one surface and re-attached securely to another surface time and time again; so that it does not leave a sticky residue; and so that it does no damage to the paper surface. InkFool has thoroughly researched each step in the process, from materials to printing to adhesive properties, and through trial and error has developed a deep reservoir of knowhow about craft tape.
The first batches of tape produced by InkFool included images derived from photos, tattoos, embroidery, woodcuts, oil paintings, and collages. Especially noteworthy is InkFool’s “receipt craft tape.” Printing till-receipt rolls is the core business at InkFool, so they asked the designer to create a tape that mimicked receipts; after going into mass production they sold 1500 rolls within five days.
A scene at the InkFool factory. Transitioning from a traditional industry, the firm has researched every aspect of the craft tape manufacturing process and, through trial and error, accumulated a great deal of knowhow.