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How to Unfold Your Star
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.
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
💡 How to Light Your Star
All Paper Starlights are designed to be illuminated using LED bulbs up to 5.5 watts. Ensure bulb doesn’t touch any part of the Starlight. Do not exceed 40 watts.
You could use:
- LED bulbs (warm white)
- Battery-powered options (ie fairy lights or bulbs on a rope)
- Long drop festoon
- An existing pendant light
Lighting, Made Easy
Why not light up your star with our specially designed LED USB powered lighting kits. They come with 4 meters of cable and are perfect for making your star lantern into an ambient light.
Want extra sparkle? Try long-drop festoon cables for easy event and wedding setups.
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Where to Use Your Star
Our stars shine anywhere. Here’s how our customers use them:
🏠 Home & Thoughtful Gifting
Bring warmth to bedrooms, windows, or quiet corners. Perfect for seasonal décor or as a magical gift; reusable year after year.
💒 Weddings & Events
Hang stars from ceilings, trees, or marquees to create a magical atmosphere. Best paired with long-drop festoon cables.
🌟 Displays & Installations
Lightweight and easy to install, stars are ideal for window displays and seasonal storytelling. Flat-packed storage means for easy reuse.
FAQs
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.
Ready to Light Up Your World?
Shop your perfect star lantern and lighting kit — or get in touch about your event or display.