How to Use Paper Star Lanterns
How to Open Your Paper Star Lantern
1. Your Stars Arrive Flat
To open your star shaped lantern, hold the star flat, place one hand inside one of the outermost points and gently ease the point of the star outwards.
2. Open Out Each Point
With the remaining points of the star repeat this action. Ensure that each point is opened out before continuing on to the next.
3. Tie Together
Using the two pieces of cord, gently bring the two outermost points together, place over light fitting & tie cords. Avoid direct contact with the light source.
Product Care
Always treat each lantern with care, following the instructions given with each product. Treated carefully, they will last many years. Watch this the video as an opening and hanging guide.
How To Assemble a Paper Star Lantern
Where Can Paper Lanterns Be Used?
In The Home as Light Shades or Ambient Lights
Use as a paper lampshade or ceiling lightshade in any room in the house. Or place stars on their tips on a flat surface to create atmospheric mood lighting. Enhance every season and every space – use as a tree-topper or table decoration at Christmas, a spooky Halloween decoration, or to create that summer festival vibe in your garden or back yard.
For inspiration and guides see here.
Window Displays & Interior Design
Showcase them in 3s and 5s to create stunning seasonal window displays. Read here for inspiration.
Hospitality Venues
Use over existing pendant light fittings or long drop festoon to quickly and affordably transform any location. Check out examples here.
Weddings and Events
Upscale a special event by adding colour and theme, and the uniquely magical atmosphere Paper Starlights create. See here for more inspiration.
Ideas and Inspiration
Featured post
Unleash the Magic of Festoon Lights in Your Outdoor Oasis
Introducing festoon lights - the perfect way to infuse any occasion with an enchanting ambiance! Whether you're planning an outdoor wedding, a delightful garden party, or even sprucing up your...
Featured post
Retail and Storefront Displays - Elevate Your Business Image
Paper Starlights are the go-to solution to elevate your store's visual appeal and ambiance. Designed to add a signature touch to your space and create an inviting atmosphere that customers...
Featured post
Exploring the World of Oversized Star Lanterns for Grand-Scale Christmas Displays
Delve into the world of oversized star lanterns, exploring their history, versatility, and how they can transform your Christmas decorations into something truly spectacular.
Featured post
10 Creative Ways to Use USB Star Light Kits: Enchant Your Surroundings
Looking to infuse your living spaces with a captivating ambiance? Look no further than the ingenious combination of a USB light and a paper star lantern. This dynamic duo not...
Featured post
The Ultimate Light Bulb Buying Guide
In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about choosing the perfect light bulb for your needs.
Featured post
Discover 10 Brilliant Ideas for Incorporating Paper Star Lanterns into Your Wedding Venue
Planning your dream wedding? Whether you're envisioning a classy formal wedding reception, a charming rustic affair, or a relaxed garden elopement, the perfect wedding lighting will set the mood and...
Featured post
Diwali - Illuminating Joy with Radiant Lights and Paper Lanterns
Star shaped paper lanterns are to be seen all over India and other parts of the world, particularly during Diwali.
How to Light Your Star
Our stars are designed to tie over a light source of your choice. The light source can be battery operated, USB or mains powered (maximum 40W).
Chances are you may already have all you need: a pendant light fitting, a set of fairy lights, a camping light or battery tea light – but you can buy lighting accessories from this site, if required.
Our stars are also available as a complete light-up star kit with USB-powered LED light.
Our kits are perfect if you’re looking for a complete ‘plug and play’ solution. They come with USB-powered 1.5W warm white LED light, 4-meter USB cable – and a paper star of your choice. Simply connect the kit to 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. This is a versatile option which means you can light up your star pretty much anywhere.
Alternatively, our stars also look fantastic unlit as 3D decorations
FAQs
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 if required. 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 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 also come as a complete light-up star 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.
What lamp should I use inside?
They 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
How do I take care of my star?
Every star is a one-off creation entirely handmade from natural materials - take care when you open it, carefully following the instructions enclosed.
Your star can be folded flat and safely stored in its protective wrapper. Treat it gently and it will shine for many years !
If it gets dusty, wipe with a clean, dry cloth.
How big are the stars?
In this store you will find stars of different sizes and geometries, ranging from 42 cm diameter, to 60 cm, and up to 87 cm diameter.
We also supply larger stars for decorative installations. Contact us for more info.
How strong are the lanterns?
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.
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 will give out the least.
How long do they last?
For many years if you don't treat them mean! 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.
Please note that your lantern isn't suitable for wet weather conditions or for bathrooms as the steam will spoil the paper.
Safety information
Make sure that the wattage of your light bulb does not exceed 40 watts - we recommend LED lamps between 1.5 – 5.5 watts. As they are paper stars, your star light should not be used with a candle and should be kept away from naked flames.
All Paper Starlights' lanterns are British Standard tested and comply with BS EN IEC 60598-1:2021.