How to Make Paper Lanterns

The use of paper lanterns spans across many different cultures for many different reasons. Originating in China, and used as a symbol of good luck in celebrations and festivals, paper lanterns are widely found across the globe. Paper lanterns come in many different shapes and sizes, and can be simple or ornate, depending on the use.

The supplies you will need will depend on the style and intricacy of your design for your paper lantern. Embellishments like glitter, heat transfer vinyl, and ribbon can be added to your paper lantern without adding much weight, which can cause the paper lantern to hang in a distorted way if you choose to hang your paper lantern. Let’s check out the supplies you will need for today’s project.

I chose to go with a patterned piece of cardstock for the inside layer of my paper lantern, and a solid color for the outside. Both pieces of cardstock are light cardstock, which will allow for a great bend in the outer layer, as well as allow us to roll the inner piece without causing creases in the paper.

With so many options of adhesives for projects, it truly comes down to personal preference. A great thing to keep in mind for paper projects is the drying time of the adhesive you use, as well as longevity. For these reasons, you will usually always see me using hot glue with my paper projects, and today’s project is no different. I love my Gorilla Glue hot glue sticks, the hold is phenomenal!

I am using my Cricut Maker 3 for this project. But don’t let that deter you from trying to make this paper lantern! This design is easily able to be made by hand measuring the strips needed, and hand cutting the slits. As an extra alternative, you can use decorative hole punches for the inner piece, to let the light shine through your paper lantern.

Since I am using a Cricut Maker 3, I will also be using Cricut Design Space to design my paper lantern, as well as cutting the pieces for my paper lantern. Some crafters have a favorite design software they use, and they then import their designs into Cricut Design Space and take it from there. This is a fine alternative to creating your entire design in Cricut Design Space. 

The only con about using another program to design and then import into Cricut Design Space is that software programs like Photoshop or Canva cannot create cutouts like Cricut Design Space. For that reason, I prefer to keep it all in one place, and just create and cut my design through Cricut Design Space.

Now that we’ve run down our supplies, and the best ones for this project, let’s get started making our paper lantern. If you do not have a craft-cutting machine, you’re in luck! Alternative instructions will be listed for the cutting portion of this project.

In Cricut Design Space, create the following rectangle sizes: 11.4 x 0.5” for the lantern strap, 11.14 x 7” for the inner piece, and 11.4 x 10” for the outside piece. If you do not have a cutting machine, cut the same-sized rectangles by hand.

Next, on the large rectangle, we are going to create a score line 1” from the top, and a second score line 1” from the bottom. If you are hand-cutting your pieces, fold your rectangle from the top down 1”, and from the bottom up 1”.

Then, we are going to create an 8” cutting line and set it about a ¼” from the left side, between the two score lines. We are then going to duplicate this line, and you will notice once you begin to duplicate the line, it places them evenly spaced along your project from left to right. At this point, all you have to do is drag the cut lines to fall between the two score lines. Once you have made and aligned all your lines, select them all, along with the two score lines and rectangle, and attach them.

If you are hand cutting, open the folds you made in the previous step, and starting ¼” from the left, using a craft knife and ruler, cut a line from the top fold to the bottom fold. Make additional cuts approximately every ½” to the end of the paper. DO NOT fold the outer piece in half to cut your slits! Folding this piece in half will create a crease that changes the look of the lantern, and will not allow the paper lantern to have the rounded look, as seen in the final product.

On your insert piece, create a design, leaving approximately ½” on both the left and right sides of the rectangle for gluing the sides together. Once you have your design to your liking, you are going to select all of the design elements and your rectangle, you will click Combine at the bottom of the layers section, and then click Subtract. This will cut out your design from your solid rectangle. Click to Make your projects and follow the instructions to cut your pieces.

If you are hand cutting your pieces, use hole punches or other decorative tools to cut out a design on the insert piece rectangle, being careful to leave ½” on both the left and right side for gluing.

Take your large rectangle, and fold the top and bottom pieces so they are pointing up, as shown below.

Take your inner piece, and overlap the end pieces. I used clips to hold the top and bottom in place while I began gluing, pressing, and spreading the hot glue as I moved down the seam.

Next, take your outer piece, and beginning at the seam, glue the top all the way around, overlapping when you get to the end. Repeat for the bottom of the lantern.

Finally, we will glue the strap to the inside of the top of the lantern, keeping the seam to the back, and centering each end of the strap to the sides.

• Use patterned paper for either the insert or the outside piece.

• Before cutting slits in the outside piece, have your child color a picture on the blank paper.

• Use a solid color for the insert, and hand draw a design.

• Use hole punches to punch decorations into the top and bottom flat pieces of the paper lantern.

• Before gluing the outer piece to the insert, make designs out of glue, then sprinkle glitter over the glue and allow it to fully dry before finishing putting your paper lantern together.

• You can also use other embellishments, such as washi tape, sequins, glitter pens, or paint, to make designs on one or both elements of your paper lantern.

How cool is that?? A very simple, and super cute lantern to make. The use of the patterned paper for the inner piece is fantastic for adding a little extra flair to the lantern without adding extra embellishments to weigh the lantern down. Using other decorative embellishments on the handle will also add to the overall aesthetic of your paper lantern. 

Be mindful to not add so many embellishments that your paper lantern becomes so heavy that the strap breaks if you choose to hang the paper lantern, or when you pick it up. The paper lantern we created today is fantastic for a centerpiece to your holiday table. I would love to see the paper lantern you create, so be sure to come back and share your creations with us!