How to Make Paper Lanterns

Fold the paper. Fold a sheet of paper in half lengthwise. The paper can be of any size or thickness. Regular printer paper works fine, but you can also use plain colored paper or patterned paper. Thinner paper makes the lantern easier to collapse.

• You can use solid-colored paper or patterned paper to give the lantern a more festive feel.

Cut the paper. Make cuts starting from the folded edge, but don’t cut all the way through to the other side. The length of the slits depends on your preference. Longer slits allow more light to shine through and make the lantern more flexible and soft.

• You can also decide the width of the paper strips. The number of strips will alter the lantern’s appearance. Cutting slits about 2.5 cm apart works well.

Roll the paper into a tube. Roll the paper and join the edges to form a cylindrical shape. Use tape or glue to secure the edges together. Make sure to seal the entire length of the lantern! Attach the tape on the inside to keep it hidden.

• You can also use staples to fasten the edges of the lantern.

Create a handle. Cut a strip of paper to serve as the handle. If using standard printer paper, the handle should be about 15 cm long and 2.5 cm wide.

• If you plan to hang the lantern, a handle isn’t necessary – you can use a ribbon or string attached to the lantern instead.

Attach the handle. Use glue or tape to fix the handle to the inside of the lantern’s top rim.

• If the lantern looks too rigid, gently press it down. Over time, it will take the desired shape. Stiffer paper may require more shaping to achieve the perfect form.

Enjoy your creation. You can place a candle inside the lantern, hang it from the ceiling, or use it as a centerpiece on a table.

• Since the lantern is made of paper, only use small votive candles or tea lights placed in a holder. Place the candle in a cup and cover it with the lantern to illuminate it. A taller cup is ideal to prevent the flame from reaching the lantern and causing a fire.
  • Only light the candle if the lantern is placed on a flat surface, and avoid lighting it while hanging or carrying the lantern.

Cut two paper circles. Use any round object to trace and cut out two circles of the same size.

• You can make the circles any size, but remember that larger circles will result in a bigger lantern. Household items like plates, lids, or buckets can serve as templates.
• Feel free to use any type of paper: plain white, colored, patterned, etc.

Fold the first circle. Take one circle and fold it in half, then fold it in half twice more. You’ll end up with a shape resembling a pizza slice (a long triangle with a curved edge).

Draw curved lines. Along the curved edge of the folded shape (the pizza crust), draw alternating curves starting from each side without touching the opposite edge. Begin on the left side with a gentle curve, stopping just short of the right edge (about 1-2.5 cm). Then, draw another curve starting from the right side below the first curve, stopping near the left edge.

• Continue alternating curves until you reach the tip of the triangle.

Cut a small hole. Snip off a tiny piece of paper at the pointed tip of the triangle to create a small hole in the center of the circle.

Cut along the curved lines. Use scissors to carefully cut along the drawn curves. Aim to follow the lines as closely as possible, but perfection isn’t necessary. Just ensure you don’t accidentally cut into another line.

Unfold the paper. Gently open the paper back into its original circular shape, being careful not to tear the cut strips.

Complete the second circle. Repeat steps 2 through 6 for the second circle so that both circles have identical cut patterns.

Glue the two circles together. Apply glue to the outer edges of both circles and press them together. Make sure not to glue the inner sections. Allow the glue to dry completely.

Expand the lantern. Gently pull the two sides of the lantern apart to stretch the paper strips and reveal the intricate design you’ve created.

• Attach a string through the hole at the top of the lantern and hang it up to display your work.

Select colors. For this type of lantern, you will need tissue paper. The tissue pieces will cover the exterior of the round lantern frame, so ensure you have enough tissue paper.

• You can use tissue paper of a single color or choose multiple colors for the lantern. Combine any color patterns you prefer or that suit the lantern's purpose.

Cut tissue paper into circles. Use any circular object (coffee lid, small plate, etc.) to trace circles on the tissue paper. Depending on the circle size, you will need approximately 100 circles cut from the tissue paper. Draw the circles closely together to minimize paper waste.

• Avoid making the circles too large or too small. If the circles are too large, the lantern will look bulky; if too small, the task will become unnecessarily tedious. Aim for circles about the size of a coffee lid.

Cut out the circles. Use scissors to carefully cut out all the circles. Handle the tissue paper gently as it is thin and prone to tearing.

Cover the base of the round lantern. Take one of the tissue paper circles and glue it to the base of the lantern. Ensure it is centered so the rest of the lantern can be covered symmetrically.

Attach a row of circles around the base of the lantern. Starting from the bottom, create a row of circles by gluing the top edge of each circle to the lantern frame.

• Ensure the row of circles at the base hangs slightly below the frame to create a soft and shimmering effect.

Cover the entire lantern with circles. Repeat the process until the entire lantern is covered with tissue paper circles. When attaching each new row, overlap the previous row by about 2.5 cm to create a layered appearance.

• Use bright-colored paper with two tones if you plan to light the lantern. For decorative purposes, feel free to use multi-colored or patterned paper as desired.
• Avoid placing any flammable objects inside the lantern (unless in a cup) to prevent fire hazards.
• Use paper with varying colors. Patterns can help disguise any uneven lines or imperfections.

• Never leave a lit candle unattended!

• White or colored paper
• Scissors
• Glue, tape, or a stapler
• Tissue paper
• Round paper lantern frame
• String (optional)