You probably know the moment. You open a folded paper star, gently ease out the points and suddenly there it is: a beautiful lantern, full of pattern and possibility. Switch on a warm light and the details really come alive.

What you don't see in that moment is the careful work that went into making it.

As Paper Starlights celebrates 30 years in 2026, we wanted to take you a little closer to the people, skills and long-standing relationships behind our stars. Because although they travel a long way before reaching your home, every Paper Starlight begins with something wonderfully simple: people making things by hand.

Where are Paper Starlights made?

Our paper star lanterns are handmade in India by skilled artisans. We've traded directly with our makers since 1996, building a partnership around creativity, fair trading and a shared belief in making things properly.

It's a small, family-run operation rather than a huge mechanised factory. The work involves printers and makers with specialist skills, and flexible arrangements for people helping during busier periods. For us, the people behind the product have always mattered just as much as the finished star.

How is a handmade paper star lantern made?

There are several stages between the first idea and the lantern you hang in your window. Each one calls for patience, accuracy and an eye for detail.

1. It starts with a drawing

Before the printing and folding, there's a hand-drawn sketch. The design has to work not just on paper, but across the different points of a three-dimensional star. It's a lovely meeting of imagination and geometry.

2. The paper is screen-printed by hand

Our makers use traditional screen-printing methods, including wooden printing frames and plant-based pigments. Colours are balanced by eye, and some designs use several layers of print to create their depth and character.

It's one of the reasons we're so fond of intricate patterns: the closer you look, the more there is to discover.

3. Tiny perforations are punched into the pattern

Those delicate pinpricks of light aren't produced by an automated machine. The perforations are hand-punched, following the design so that light can shine through in all sorts of beautiful ways.

4. Tissue details add a stained-glass glow

Coloured tissue inserts are cut and positioned by hand. When a star is lit, these little pieces help create the glowing colour that makes each lantern so distinctive.

5. The star is carefully assembled and checked

Finally, the printed sections are brought together into the familiar folded star shape. There's a great deal of skill in making sure the points and folds line up accurately. Each star is checked before being packaged and sent on its way.

Why do handmade stars sometimes look slightly different?

Because they're genuinely made by hand, you might notice tiny variations in a print or shade. To us, these aren't something to hide. They're little reminders that a real person has worked on the star in front of you.

The aim is always beautiful, consistent quality, but handmade doesn't have to mean identical. That's part of its character.

Thirty years of working together

Paper Starlights began in 1996, and our relationship with our Indian makers remains central to who we are. We've always believed that good trading relationships should be collaborative, personal and built for the long term.

We're proud members of BAFTS, the British Association for Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers, and our approach is guided by fair-trade principles. That means thinking about the people who make our products, how we work together and what it takes to build a sustainable business for everyone involved.

New designs and colours are exciting, of course. But maintaining the skills and relationships that make those designs possible is just as important.

Made to be enjoyed, then enjoyed again

We don't think a lovely decoration should have to be a one-season thing. Our stars fold flat for storage, so you can carefully pack them away and bring them out again for Christmas, Diwali, a birthday or simply a cosy evening at home.

Use suitable low-heat LED lighting to illuminate your lantern, and always follow the instructions supplied. You can also enjoy the colour and pattern of your star without lighting it at all.

Frequently asked questions about our handmade paper stars

Are Paper Starlights really handmade?

Yes. Our lanterns are made using traditional, non-mechanised printing, punching, tissue-inserting and assembly techniques by skilled artisans in India.

What materials are used?

Our stars are made from good-quality paper, with printed patterns and carefully positioned tissue details. Our makers use plant-based pigments in the traditional screen-printing process.

Are Paper Starlights fairly traded?

Fair trading is an important part of our business. We work directly with our makers and are BAFTS members, guided by the principles of fair trade. You can read more on our Our Story page.

Can I use my paper star again next year?

Absolutely. Open and fold it carefully, keep it dry and store it in its protective packaging when not in use. With care, your star can return for many celebrations.

How do I open and light my star?

Every lantern comes with instructions. Our opening and lighting guide explains how to unfold and display it, and our window-hanging guide has more decorating ideas.

Thank you for sharing the light

Thirty years is quite a milestone for a small business. When we look back, we're grateful not only for the customers who've invited our stars into their homes, but for the makers whose hands, creativity and knowledge are behind every single one.

The next time you unfold a Paper Starlight, we hope you'll enjoy the story behind it just as much as the glow.

Read more about our story or explore our handmade paper star lanterns.