, you've came to the right place. Here you will find lovely design ideas, by
, for paper lanterns used in weddings and parties.
In addition, to help you shop for lanterns, here are the answers to the most frequently asked 19 questions:
This FAQ page is long, so in order to manage and organize the information well for you, we've created a collapsible menu.
Glance at the questions that interest you, and to read the answers, please click on the "+" sign.
1. How do we light paper lanterns?
This question is the second most frequently asked question, and the one that takes the longest to answer.
Our lanterns are used in homes, gardens, weddings, and numerous other life events. Think of paper lanterns as lamp shades or hollow globes. To light them, we have numerous options, ranging from
battery lights,
electrical light kits, or multi socket
string lights. Which one should you use? This depends on your application:
1A. Lighting Paper Lanterns for Interior Home Use
In this situation, you are only dealing with a few lanterns. The quantity may range from 1 to 6 (or more). We suggest the following lighting options :
•
electrical light kit - this option has a single electric socket at one end and a plug at the other. It is connected with a 10 feet electric cord. With this option, first decide where to hang the lamp shade. Once you determine the right location, secure the electrical light kit in place, screw on a 5 to 60 watt bulb, and then insert the light kits through the top of the paper lantern. The lantern will have "C" hook expanders to help secure the light kit in place. The lantern will hang from the electric cord, so no additional hanging accessories, such as fishing wires are needed. The paper globe acts like a lamp shade and will soften the harsh light. The socket of the lantern should be near the middle of the lantern for an even glow. With this light kit, you can basically place your lantern anywhere you like from the top center of rooms to window displays.
•
double socket light kit - this option has two electric socket at one end, spaced 48 inches apart, and a plug at the other. It is connected with a 17 feet electric cord. Our double socket light kit works just like the single socket light kit, but it has two sockets. You are probably asking, why not just buy two single socket light kits then? The advantage of this item, is that with only 1 plug and 1 outlet, you can light two
lanterns at the same time. To light two lanterns with two single socket light kits, you will have two plugs. The disadvantage is that once you determine where to place the first lantern, the second lantern can only be at most four feet away since the sockets are spaced 48 inches apart.
•
triple socket light kit - this option has three electric socket at one end, spaced 48 inches apart, and a plug at the other. It is connected with a 19 feet electric cord. Our tripe socket light kit works just like the single socket light kit, but it has three sockets. The advantage of this item, is that with only 1 plug and 1 outlet, you can light three
lanterns at the same time. The disadvantage is that once you determine where to place the first lantern, the second lantern can only be at most four feet away from the first, and the third lantern is 4 feet away from the second. Remember, the sockets are spaced 48 inches apart.
Safety Tips for the Light Kit
a.. Our light kit is not water proof. It is not recommend for permanent outdoor use.
b. High wattage bulbs may burn the rice paper on the lantern. We suggest 40-watt bulbs for 12" to 14" lanterns, and 60watts for 16" lanterns or large (a high wattage bulb on a small lantern will also create a "over exposed" look, instead of a soft glow).
1B. Lighting Paper Lanterns for Small or Large events
In this situation, you are only dealing with many lanterns and electrical outlets may not be readily available. The quantity may range from 12 or more.
We suggest the following lighting options :
•
battery lights - our
battery lights will illuminate your paper lanterns when electricity isn't readily available!
Perfect for parties, weddings, or even small get-together, our LED battery lights make a beautiful display when paired with our large assortment of colorful paper lanterns.
We offer the following types of LED battery lights:
1. One bulb
2. Three bulb
3. Twelve bulb
• multi socket
string lights - You can think of string lights as a long electrical cord with multiple light sockets on them. Each socket has a fixed spacing. For example, the sockets can be two, three, four feet apart. Once the socking spacing is selected, the spacing will be the same throughout the cord.
The most common type are the strands of Christmas lights used to decorate homes and trees during the holiday season. These types of lights can run up to 1000 feet long.
Our string light has multiple C7 or C9 sockets, a male plug at one end, and a female plug at the other end. The number of sockets will depend on the length of the cord. Instead of using an individual cord kit to light each lantern, string lights allow you to light multiple lanterns at the same time.
2. How many lanterns should I use for my event?
If you are wondering how many paper lanterns you should use for your wedding or event, then this web page is for you?
For good ceiling coverage, the rule of thumb of using 1 lantern per 28 square foot is a GOOD standard.
To light the lanterns, our
battery operated lights were used. Clear fishing lines were used to hang the lanterns.
3. How big is the lantern?
Lanterns Are Measured When They Are Flat
Round paper lanterns are sphere like objects, but their height is slightly less than their diameter.
The size of the lantern is named after its diameter, and this is measured when it is flat.
The circumference (C) of the lantern is 3.14 (Pi) multiplied by its diameter (D); (C = 3.14*D)
An Example of a Lantern Size
When a round 12 inch paper lantern is flat, the diameter is 12 inches.
Note:
The diameter of a lantern is the length of the line through the center and touching two points on its edge.
The circumference of a lantern is the entire distance around the lantern.
Round Lanterns Size References
If you are wondering how big a certain sized round lantern is, below is a chart that will help compare the size to well-known round or sphere objects.
Comparison Chart
• 8 inch lanterns (25.1 in circumference) are about the size of a volleyball (26.0 inches in circumference)
• 8 inch lanterns (25.1 in circumference) are slightly smaller than the size of a bowling ball (26.7 inches in circumference)
• 10 inch lanterns (31.4 in circumference) are about the size of a basketball (29.5 inches in circumference)
• 12 inch lanterns (37.7 in circumference) has the same diameter as a standard 5 gallon bucket
• 16 inch lanterns (50.26 in circumference) are about the same size as a classroom globe
• 18 inch lanterns have about the same diameter as commercial sized parmesan cheese wheels
• 20 inch lanterns (62.83 in circumference) is slightly larger than a 55 cm size (suggested for Under 5'6") yoga balls
4. How do we hang the lanterns?
This depends on the following two things:
1. if you plan on lighting your paper lanterns or not
2. the type of (optional) lighting that you choose.
Hanging Non-Lite Lanterns, or Lanterns Lite with Battery Operated Lights
If you plan on not lighting your paper lanterns, using with 3 pound-test fishing lines is sufficient. We suggest at least three pound test lines for outdoors since non-tested lines can break when the wind is strong. The fishing lines can also be used to hang the battery operated lights in place.
Hanging Lanterns Lite With Electrical Cords
Almost all of our lantern will include an additional rectangular shaped metal piece. This is called the expander. On top of the expander is a small "C" shaped hook. The electrical wire goes through the "C" and is secured in place.
5. What wattage bulb can I use in the various sizes of lanterns?
For our 6 inches through 10 inches lantern we recommend our C7 or C9 candelabra light bulbs. These bulbs are usually 5 or 7 watts.
Our 12" and up sized lanterns can be lit using a standard 40 watt bulb.
6. Do the lanterns hold up to the weather well?
Most of our Chinese lanterns are made of paper so it can withstand the weather, but only slightly.
If you are concerned about rain or winds try our nylon lanterns.
7. Are paper lanterns easy to assemble?
Yes, all of our lanterns come with an instruction sheet and are easy to assemble.
8. What type of lighting do the lanterns offer? How bright are they?
Our paper lanterns are mainly ambiance lighting. If you are wondering how much light our lanterns will give, this will depend on the following two conditions:
6a. How many lanterns you will use?
We suggest at least 1 lantern with a 40 watt bulb per 50 square foot.
6b. The size of the lantern
The size of the lantern determines the wattage of bulb you can use.
9. What is the difference between your battery lanterns and the LED battery lanterns?
Both type of lanterns are illuminated by battery lights. The battery device is located at the bottom of the lantern. It is the type of light bulb used that makes the lanterns different.
LED Battery Lanterns
These use LED bulbs. LED bulbs offer a longer battery life, which allows for a longer lighting source. Most LED bulbs have a white glows.
Battery Lanterns
These lanterns use incandescent bulbs. The size of the bulb is the same as the bulbs used in most flashlights. They are not brighter that our non LED lanterns. This incandescent bulb has a yellow glow.
Below are pictures to give you decorating ideas for lanterns. By clicking into each picture, we will explain in detail the colors that were used.
