As the season of ribbons, bows, and mild gift-wrapping panic approaches, we’ve stumbled upon something so delightfully absurd — and absurdly delightful — that we simply had to share! Meet Bakermee, (possibly funniest) invention by Osaka-born graphic designer Ippei Tsujio of TOAL inc. A wrapping paper that turns anything you gift into… bread. Yes. Bread. Your presents may not be edible, but they can now be incontrovertibly toasty. And honestly, isn’t that the holiday spirit?
A designer who knows his dough
Before founding TOAL inc. in 2022, Ippei honed his craft at Torafu Architects and TAKAIYAMA inc., building an eye for design that champions the often overlooked: the everyday textures, shapes, and quiet phenomena no one pays attention to. TOAL’s philosophy comes from the Japanese word “toaru”, which means “to be”. A philosophy that says, “What if the mundane were magic?” And it turns out, the mundane is delicious-looking!
Holiday gifting, but make it fresh-baked!
Bakerme is a set of three A2 wrapping papers, each with its own fresh-from-the-oven personality. The premise is simple: wrap your gift, and it looks like bread. But the execution? Chef’s kiss.
Three styles, three moods, three ways to confuse and delight your friends and family. Kachikachi is the “baguette” wrap. Perfect for cylindrical gifts — posters, bottles, rolled sweaters, or that awkwardly shaped thing you optimistically ordered online. Expect at least two people to try knocking on it to “check the crust.” Sakusaku is the “Danish pastry” wrap. Ideal for palm-sized gifts, and possibly the closest you’ll ever get to giving someone a croissant that doesn’t flake all over their lap. We call that progress. Last, there’s Hukahuka, the “soft white bread” wrap. This fluffy-looking, extremely convincing paper is perfect for larger, boxy gifts. Warning: recipients may cradle it tenderly. The package also comes with some stickers in fitting jam and butter styles, with different messages. But you might need to add your own: “This Is Not Actually Food, Please Stop Trying to Eat It.”
The paper itself is rough and tactile, mimicking the genuine surface of baked goods. The visual illusion is so strong you may find yourself wanting to poke it — or maybe that’s just us. Its generous A2 size means you can also fold Bakerme into book covers, envelopes, or a faux-bread portfolio, should you wish to cultivate an extremely niche personal brand.
With its tongue-in-cheek sensibility and uncanny realism, Bakermee feels especially perfect for the holiday season. Whether you’re gifting to design lovers, pun enthusiasts, or that one friend who sighs longingly every time you pass a bakery, this wrapping paper guarantees joy, and possibly mild confusion — before the present is even opened! Available at TOAL’s own webshop.
All images © Ippei Tsujio