DIY: How to Make Paper Lanterns

Paper lanterns are a great decor item to add in your home or office. Making a paper lantern is not only an enjoyable and creative activity but it’s also an affordable way to bring a cozy ambiance into your space. You can make a paper lantern in a few simple steps with some basic supplies, which you can easily find in any craft or stationery store.

Creating your own paper lantern allows you to personalize and customize your decor according to your preference and taste. You can choose your own colors, patterns, and shapes to make a unique and eye-catching lantern that represents your personality. Making a paper lantern is also an excellent activity for kids, as it improves their motor and cognitive skills and enhances their creativity. In this article, we will guide you step by step on how to make a paper lantern in a few easy and fun-filled steps.

Materials Needed for Making Paper Lanterns

If you are interested in making your paper lantern, you will need to gather the materials we have listed below. These materials are essential to successful paper lantern making projects.

Paper

The first and foremost material you will need is the paper. There is a wide range of paper types and various colors you can choose from. However, it would be best if you went for something sturdy and thicker, like mulberry paper, to ensure that your lantern doesn’t break or get damaged easily.

Scissors

Secondly, you need a pair of scissors to cut the paper. It would be best if you had a sharp pair of scissors, as they will make the cutting process more effortless and precise.

Ruler or Measuring Tape

You will also need a ruler or measuring tape to take measurements for the paper lantern’s base and other parts. This tool is essential, especially when you want to make a symmetrical lantern.

Pencil

A pencil is necessary to help you sketch and design your paper lantern before you cut the paper. You can also use a pencil to mark the areas you will need to fold or cut.

Glue or Tape

A good quality glue or tape will help you join the edges of your lantern seamlessly. You can use a hot glue gun or double-sided tape, depending on the type of paper you use.

Candle, LED Lights or String Lights

Your completed paper lantern is meant to emit light, so you will need a light source. Depending on your preference, you can use candles, LED lights or string lights.

Craft Wire

Craft wire will provide the needed support for your paper lantern. You can use it to create the frame or support structure for the lantern.

Paintbrushes

If you want to paint or decorate your paper lantern, you will need a paintbrush. A soft-bristle paintbrush will work well with different types of craft paint.

Decorative Elements

You can add decorative elements such as ribbons, beads, or other embellishments to add interest to your DIY paper lantern.

Craft Stick or Skewer

You can use a craft stick or skewer to help crease the folds and line up the edges when assembling your paper lantern.

Now that you have gathered all the materials let’s move on to the next stage of creating your paper lantern.

Section 2: Materials Required for Making Paper Lanterns

Now that you’re all set to make paper lanterns, it’s important to gather all the materials you need beforehand. In this section, we will be discussing the various materials required for making paper lanterns, and where you can acquire them.

1. Paper or Cardstock

The first and most essential material you need to make paper lanterns is paper or cardstock. While regular paper may work, it’s best to stick to cardstock as it’s sturdier and easier to handle. You can choose any color or design depending on what you prefer. It’s also recommended to use double-sided paper to make the lantern look more decorative.

2. Scissors and Craft Knife

To give the paper the desired shape and design, you’ll need sharp tools such as scissors and craft knives. Scissors are needed to cut the paper for the basic lantern structure, while a craft knife comes in handy for more intricate designs and patterns.

3. Glue or Tape

Once you’ve cut the paper to the right size and shape, you’ll be needing some glue or tape to stick the paper together. You can use any strong adhesive that can hold the paper without it falling apart. Glue sticks, clear tape, and double-sided tape are the most commonly used tape options.

4. Ruler and Pencil

Having a ruler and pencil is essential for measuring the paper’s length and marking the lines you need to cut. This will ensure that all the pieces of the lantern are uniform in size.

5. Cutting Board

A cutting board will help protect your working surface while you’re cutting the paper with a craft knife. It’s recommended to use a self-healing cutting board that won’t wear out easily.

6. Puncher

A puncher is optional, but it’s recommended if you want to add a decorative touch to your paper lantern. You can use a hole puncher to create patterns in your lantern, or you can use a corner puncher to create different shaped edges.

7. Ruler

A ruler is an essential tool for this project, as it will help you measure your paper accurately. You’ll need to create exact measurements to ensure your lantern comes out perfectly.

8. LED Tea Lights

To light up your paper lantern, you’ll need to use an LED tea light. Since these don’t generate heat, they’re safer to use than traditional tea lights. You can purchase LED tea lights at your local craft store or online.

9. Wire or String

To hang your paper lantern, you’ll need some wire or string. You can use any material you have on hand, but it’s recommended to use a thin and lightweight option to avoid weighing down your lantern.

10. Decorative Materials (Optional)

If you want to add some pizzazz to your paper lantern, you can use various decorative materials such as glitter, sequins, or ribbons. Be creative and experiment with different colors and designs!

In summary, Gather all the materials you need before you start making paper lanterns. You’ll need paper or cardstock, scissors, a craft knife, glue or tape, ruler and pencil, a cutting board, puncher, ruler LED tea lights, wire or string, and decorative materials if you want to add embellishments. Happy crafting!

Materials needed

Before you start making your paper lantern, you need to make sure that you have all the necessary materials to avoid any inconvenience of making multiple trips to the store. Here is the list of materials that you’ll need:

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you have all the necessary materials, you can go ahead and start making your paper lantern. Here are the step-by-step instructions to make a beautiful paper lantern:

Step 1: Cut the paper into strips

Begin by cutting the tissue paper or crepe paper into strips of equal width. This is a good time to use your ruler to ensure that the strips are of equal width. The size of the strips will depend on the size of the lantern you want to make.

Step 2: Glue the strips together

Take one strip of paper, put glue on one end, and attach it to the other end of another strip of paper. Continue doing this until you have attached all the strips of paper together forming a long chain of paper.

Step 3: Join both ends of the strip

Stick both ends of the strip together making a loop using the glue stick. You should have a tube shape paper now.

Step 4: Cut the base and handle

To create the base and handle of the lantern, cut two pieces of paper into rectangular shapes. Choose the size of the rectangular pieces based on the size of the lantern you want to make. The larger the lantern, the larger the paper rectangle pieces.

Step 5: Attach the base and handle

Stick one of the rectangular pieces to one end of the tube using the glue stick. This will be the base of your lantern. Then, attach the second rectangular piece on the other end of the tube as a handle using the glue stick.

Your paper lantern is now complete! You can now hang it anywhere you like with the help of the string.

Creative Touches for Your Paper Lantern

Now that you know the basic steps on how to make a paper lantern, you can add some embellishments to make it more unique and beautiful. Here are some fun ideas:

1. Paint it

You can use watercolors or acrylic paint to add color and design to your paper lantern. This is a great way to customize it and make it stand out.

2. Add Cutouts

You can cut out shapes or designs in the paper strips before you glue them together to give your lantern a unique pattern when it is lit.

3. Decorate with Tassels

You can add tassels to the bottom of your lantern for a decorative touch. You can use string, thread, or ribbons to make the tassels.

4. Use different paper types

Instead of using tissue paper or crepe paper, you can use different types of paper such as wrapping paper, magazines, or even scrapbook paper.

5. Add glitter

You can add some glitter to your paper lantern to make it sparkle when it catches the light.

With some creativity and imagination, you can transform your paper lantern into a unique and beautiful piece of art that will surely impress anyone who sees it.

A Bright End to Your DIY Project!

Congratulations on making your very own paper lantern! It’s always exciting to see a project come to life with your own hands. Now that you’ve mastered the basics, feel free to get creative and experiment with different colors and shapes. Don’t forget to share your final product with us in the comments section below! Thank you for reading this tutorial, and we hope to see you again soon for more DIY inspiration. Happy crafting!