Crepe paper is thin, wrinkled paper with a crinkly texture that stretches slightly when you pull it.

You've probably seen crepe paper streamers decorating school gyms for dances or birthday parties. The paper comes in bright colors and unrolls from long spools. Because of its texture, crepe paper catches light differently than smooth paper, creating a festive, three-dimensional effect. Crafters use it to make tissue flowers, piñatas, and costume decorations because it's easy to shape, scrunch, and twist into interesting forms.

The wrinkles in crepe paper aren't accidental. Manufacturers create them by pressing the paper between rollers, which gives it that characteristic ridged surface. This texture makes crepe paper both flexible and slightly elastic, unlike regular construction paper or printer paper, which can tear easily when bent. The stretchiness means you can wrap crepe paper around curved surfaces or bunch it up without it ripping, which is why it works so well for decorations and craft projects.