Shipping & Delivery
Paper Starlights orders ship from the UK. International shipping may experience processing delays beyond our control. You'll receive a tracking number upon dispatch to monitor your order. Buyers are responsible for handling import taxes and related charges.
How long does delivery take?
We process and dispatch all orders within 1–2 working days.
Delivery times from being dispatched:
UK: 2–3 days via Royal Mail Tracked 48
Internationally: Typically 5-10 working days via tracked Royal Mail; though seasonal delays may occur.
See our delivery policy for more.
How much does shipping cost?
We provide Royal Mail Tracked 48 as standard for £4.95, with free standard delivery on orders of £50 and above within the UK. Our deliveries are fully tracked from dispatch to arrival. We also offer Royal Mail Tracked 24.
For urgent orders, email us at hello@paperstarlights.com, and we'll do our best to help.
We also offer international shipping through Royal Mail tracked services, typically taking 5-10 working days, though delays may occur during peak times.
CUSTOMER SPEND
BAND 1 - Orders Under £50
Shipping costs - Royal Mail Tracked
Australia / Canada / USA- £25.00
France / Germany / Denmark / Republic of Ireland - £15.00
Norway / Greece - £18.00
Northern Ireland - £7.95
CUSTOMER SPEND
BAND 2 - Orders Between £50 - £79
Shipping costs - Royal Mail Tracked
Australia / Canada / USA - £30.00
France / Germany / Denmark / Norway / Greece / Republic of Ireland - £20.00
Northern Ireland - £7.95
CUSTOMER SPEND
BAND 3 - Orders £80 +
Australia / Canada / USA - £40.00
France / Germany / Denmark / Norway / Greece / Republic of Ireland - £25.00
Northern Ireland - £7.95
International Shipping
Paper Starlights ships worldwide via Royal Mail or alternative couriers. Choose shipping options for your destination at checkout.
Import Taxes & Duties
The buyer is responsible for paying additional costs such as duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees. These charges can vary widely and are often based on the price and type of item, package weight and dimensions, origin country, and the taxes, duties, and fees of the destination country.
Please note that we have no control over these charges and cannot predict their amount.
Returns, Exchanges & Cancellations
Paper Starlights crafts star lanterns in small batches for rigorous quality control. If unsatisfied, contact us within 14 days of receiving the order for exchanges or returns.
Return items at your expense, in unused, saleable condition with original packaging. Use a 'signed for' delivery method, obtain proof of postage, and consider tracking for international returns.
Please send returned items to:
Paper Starlights, Unit 4, Whitting Valley Road, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S41 9EY, UK
What if my star is faulty?
Email hello@paperstarlights.com within 14 days with your order number and a photo. We'll refund both the item cost and return shipping once we confirm the damage
I'd like to cancel my order
If you wish to cancel your order before despatch, we will arrange for a full refund of any payment taken. Please note – in order to provide good customer service, we despatch our products quickly (sometimes within an hour). If cancellation happens after despatch then you will be responsible for the cost of returning the products and refunds will be subject to our Refund Policy below.
Exchanges & Change of Mind
Please ensure before purchase that the item is a suitable size for your use – all measurements are given for each product. For colour, please note that variations of colour can be caused by your device screen. Because our stars are entirely made by hand, including the screen printing process, slight variations of colour may also apply.
The fastest way to ensure you get what you want is to return the item you have and make a separate purchase for the new item.
You will be refunded via the method of payment used to place the order as soon as the returned goods have arrived with us. Please note we are unable to refund shipping costs unless there is an error or fault with your item.
Installation & Use
Instructions for our star lanterns
Your star will arrive flat packed. You simply open the star up one point at a time and tie the two cords together to form a perfect star.
Instructions are provided with each lantern and you can watch a video which shows you how to open and hang it.
The stars are designed to tie over a light source of your choice. The light source can be battery operated, USB or mains power (maximum 40W), and can be purchased separately. Our stars are also available as a complete light-up star kit with USB-powered LED light.
Here are some ideas and recommendations below (you might already have some fairy lights!).
1. As our stars are British Standard tested as lampshades, you can use them as you would a lampshade with electric lightbulbs and LEDs over a standard pendant light fitting (as shown in the video). And you could also use an electric plugset with flex, light fitting and plug for hanging in the window. The maximum wattage for the stars is 40W – and they are recommended for use with LED bulbs up to 7 watts, or low energy lightbulbs up to 16 watts.
2. You could insert battery operated fairy lights. These look really nice and the light will twinkle through the perforations in the star. Make sure the fairy lights (coming soon) are battery operated - electric wouldn't be recommended due to the heat output and contact with the star.
3. You could use other types of battery operated LED lights, such as a portable ‘bulb-on-a-rope’ camping/ closet light.
4. Our stars can also come complete with our USB LED Lighting Kit, which offers a complete ‘plug and play’ solution. It comes with USB-powered 1.5W warm white LED light, 4-meter USB cable – and a paper star of your choice. Simply tie the star over the LED light. Then plug the kit into a portable power bank, USB wall socket, USB port on your computer or laptop, an existing USB plug, or cigarette lighter with a USB socket.
How do I use my star?
Use as a lampshade over any pendant light fitting.
Or as a lantern with a set of battery operated LED fairy lights inside – either hang the star, or invert over a lamp stand for stability. Make sure the fairy lights are battery operated - electric wouldn't be recommended due to the heat output and contact with the star. Many of our customers have been in touch to say they’ve used stands available from JYSK.
You may want to hang your star in a place that doesn’t have mains power, such as a porch, marquee or summerhouse. Or in a window that’s a long way from a plug socket. For all those tricky spaces we recommend our light-up star kits, which offer a complete ‘plug and play’ solution. They come complete with USB-powered warm white LED light, 4-meter USB cable – and a paper star of your choice. Simply tie the star over the LED light. Then plug the kit into a portable power bank, USB wall socket, USB port on your computer or laptop, an existing USB plug, or cigarette lighter with a USB socket.
Our stars also look fantastic unlit as 3D decorations.
To preserve materials, we encourage using our stars over a light source you may already have – but we do supply cable kits and fairy lights just in case you need them!
Our stars are perfect for use indoors, or in dry outdoor environments.
Can I use the star outdoors or in bathrooms?
Our stars are suitable for indoors or dry sheltered outdoor spaces only. Avoid humid or wet areas like bathrooms—steam can damage them
What lamp should I use inside?
Our stars have been tested to use with a maximum wattage bulb of 40 watts.
However - LED lamps between 1.5 and 5.5 watts are the best – the higher the wattage and lumens ( e.g. 5.5 watts ), the brighter it will be. For a more ambient glow, use a set of battery operated LED fairy lights or a lower wattage lamp (e.g. 1.5 watts ).
The effects of the star will be different depending on which colour star and which type of light you use inside.
For more info, please see our light bulb guide here.
Our stars conform to the British Standard for luminaires BS EN 60598: 2021
Materials, Sizes & Longevity
What are the star sizes?
Our Paper Starlights are available in 42 cm, 60 cm, 87 cm, plus a special 110 cm white star. Bespoke sizes up to 2.5 m available on request
We supply larger stars for decorative installations. Contact us for more info.
How strong and long-lasting are they?
The structural design of the lanterns is very clever. Don't be put off by the fact they are made from paper. They are thick and sturdy, and the weighted paper is perfectly cut, pasted, and constructed, so that when assembled the lantern is very strong.
We have customers who have had their lanterns in daily use for years. They may get a bit dusty over time, but can be cleaned using a dry cloth. Some colours may fade a bit in direct sunlight over many years due to the use of natural pigments. However, hung indoors and according to the instructions, they really will last for years.
How should I care for my star?
Fold flat and store in its protective sleeve. Dust gently with a dry cloth. Handle with care when assembling, it’s paper, after all
If it gets dusty, wipe with a clean, dry cloth.
How bright are they?
That depends on the design. As a rule, the lighter the colour of the paper, the brighter the light, e.g. white and ivory would give out more light than, say red or violet. Then you need to consider whether you select a design with tissue inserts or punched-out perforations. The perforations create a bright twinkly effect, and would give out more light than the tissue inserts. So - on a scale, Starry White, Venus White, North Star White, Prosecco - (white paper, perforations) will give out the most light and Fantasia Montana with its ambient glow will give out the least.
E-Gift Cards
Redemption
Gift cards and e-gift cards can only be redeemed online at paperstarlights.com
They may be used to purchase goods of a higher price than the amount on the card, on payment of the difference.
They cannot be exchanged for cash
If you do not spend the entire balance on the gift card /e-gift card, the remaining balance will be updated after each transaction.
Period of validity
E-gift cards are valid for 48 months from the last transaction (which includes the initial card load, adding or spending funds)
Any remaining balance will be cancelled on expiry of the validity period.
They should be treated as cash; they are not cheque guarantee, credit or charge cards. Paper Starlights will not accept liability for lost E-gift cards.
Cancellation
E-gift cards cannot be returned or refunded, except in accordance with your statutory rights, for example in the event where the products purchased are not of satisfactory quality.
Under the Regulations, (as outlined above), if you are contracting with us as a consumer online or by phone, you have the right to cancel all or part of your order for a e-gift card at any time up to 14 calendar days after the day on which you place your order, provided none of the balance has been spent. Further details are set out above.
Changes to the Gift Card Terms and Conditions
Paper Starlights reserves the right to amend the terms and conditions of e-gift cards at any time and to take appropriate action, including the cancellation of the card, if, in its discretion, it deems such action necessary. This does not affect your statutory rights.
Sustainability & Fair Trade
For more than a quarter of a century, Paper Starlights has forged a close partnership with a small family-owned business in India, crafting exquisite collections of these beautiful and unique paper lanterns.
Where are they made?
Handmade in India by a fair-trade, family-run workshop, in partnership for over 25 years. Each star is crafted by hand with traditional printing, punching, and assembly methods. Find out more here.
Originally produced to celebrate 'Diwali' the Hindu festival of light, star light lanterns lift the mood and bring a spirit of light and celebration to any occasion.
How are they made?
Each star light is handmade with great pride using good quality weight paper, with a superior finish. The production process is traditional and non-mechanized; each section of the star is printed using traditional methods, the perforations in the design hand punched, the tissue paper cut and fixed in place by hand and the star assembled using geometric skill and accuracy. Each star is then carefully checked before being packaged.
Due to this non-mechanized process, there may be tiny inconsistencies in shade and design, which should not be viewed as flaws, rather as evidence that they are hand-made by real people not machines!
How eco-friendly are you?
We Create in Small Batches: Producing in small batches typically means reduced waste and energy consumption compared to mass production. This approach can also allow for better quality control and less overproduction, which is more sustainable.
Non-Toxic Dyes : Non-toxic dyes are often considered eco-friendly because they are derived from natural sources and are biodegradable. They produce fewer harmful chemicals compared to synthetic dyes.
We Aim to Use Responsibly Sourced Paper: When creating our star lanterns, we aim to use responsibly sourced paper. This means the paper comes from well-managed forests or recycled sources, reducing the impact on ecosystems.
Our Packaging is Recyclable: Our outer packaging is recyclable. We encourage customers to keep the packaging for future use to store their star away until the next occasion or celebration.
Our stars are packed carefully, well, functionally, with full instructions and using minimal materials.
Our Products are Long-Lasting: As our paper star lanterns are designed to last, they can contribute to sustainability by reducing the frequency of replacements. Our stars can be reused again and again, reducing the waste caused by single-use decor. Bring them out year after year!
Tips & Inspiration
Can I use them all year round?
Absolutely! Star lanterns are ideal for weddings, parties, garden events, or camping setups. Fold flat for seasonal storage.
What makes Paper Starlights unique?
Many people have known and seen paper stars, or star lanterns or paper starlights for years. We think our stars are some of the loveliest anywhere, and made to an exceptionally high quality.
There is a depth of colour, luminescence, and beauty to them that is unmatched in others.
“I ordered 2 of these paper lanterns and was very pleasantly surprised of the quality- even better than the ones I had before from a different supplier. These lanterns are strong and well made, and I know will last for years. I am super happy.”
“You can see these are superior quality. It shines through in every way“
The paper card and materials are robust, and the design and making process is done by hand with experience and care.
The artistry and attention to detail behind each lantern cannot be beaten, and each star is rigorously checked and tested to the highest standards before despatch.
Paper Starlights are handmade by really nice people, and fairly traded, and have been for over 25 years.
Do you offer gift wrapping?
Every star is a gift, whoever receives it, and we pack them accordingly.
For environmental reasons we do not offer the option of extra gift wrapping - please see our “Transparent about Packaging“ guide here. This doesn’t mean our stars don’t arrive in an enticing way, and we have great reviews for our packaging from our customers. What it means it that we choose to conserve materials so do not offer extra ribbons and bows. We know that the best gift we can give each other is a more sustainable future.
Contact
Still have questions? We're happy to help! Please email us at hello@paperstarlights.com and we will aim get back to you as soon as possible.
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Get in touch
Have questions? Get in touch with us at any time.