Materials Needed for Your Cricut Paper Lantern

• Cardstock or heavyweight paper (choose colors or patterns you like)
• Cricut cutting machine and compatible cutting mat
• Cricut Design Space software
• Adhesive (glue stick, double-sided tape, or craft glue)
• Scoring tool or bone folder
• LED tealight candle (optional, for illumination)
• Ribbon or twine (optional, for hanging)
• Weeding tool or tweezers (for removing cut pieces)

Preparing Your Design and Materials

Start by selecting or creating a paper lantern design in Cricut Design Space. You can find free or paid lantern templates online or design your own with cut-out patterns for light to shine through. Make sure your design fits the size of your cardstock and cutting mat.

Load your cardstock onto the Cricut cutting mat, ensuring it is firmly adhered to avoid shifting during cutting. Use a standard grip mat for most cardstock weights.

Cutting and Scoring Your Paper Lantern

Set your Cricut machine to the appropriate material setting for cardstock. Use the scoring tool to create fold lines where indicated in your design. Scoring helps achieve crisp folds and a professional finish.

After cutting and scoring, carefully remove the paper pieces from the mat using a weeding tool or tweezers to avoid tearing delicate parts.

Assembling Your Paper Lantern

• Fold along all scored lines to prepare the shape.
• Apply adhesive to tabs as indicated in your design.
• Press and hold tabs firmly to ensure a secure bond.
• Allow glue to dry completely before handling further.
• If desired, attach ribbon or twine to create a hanger.
• Place an LED tealight candle inside for a safe glowing effect.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using the wrong paper weight: Too thin paper may tear easily; too thick may not fold well. Use cardstock between 65-110 lb for best results.
• Skipping the scoring step: Without scoring, folds can be uneven or cause paper to crack.
• Not securing the paper properly on the mat: This can cause miscuts or incomplete cuts.
• Applying too much glue: Excess glue can warp paper or cause visible stains.
• Using real candles inside: For safety, always use battery-operated LED tealights.

Additional Inspiration

For more paper craft projects using your Cricut, check out our Custom Cricut Paper Flower Wreath tutorial or learn how to make a custom paper gift box with your Cricut.