Testing the Bulb in Paper Lanterns

Now, unplug the cord. You do not want to screw in the light bulb while the cord is plugged in, as you will risk electrocution. Now you will be able to see the reason the lantern should hang straight down, for this bulb will be in the middle of the lantern. If it is too close to the sides, the heat from the incandescent bulb can ignite the paper. Do not exceed the maximum recommended wattage on the bulbs for the cord you are using. Now, your light should be working. Test it by turning the switch on. If it does not turn on, you probably did not screw the bulb in all the way. Tighten the bulb and try again. If it still does not work, then you likely have a faulty cord or an electrical problem. In this case, contact your electrician.

Running the Cord for Paper Lanterns

Now, run your cord. Be sure the cord is plugged into the wall, run it up the wall and onto the ceiling, and hang it from the ceiling by hooks. You can use certain kinds of tape to hold the cord up on the ceiling, such as duct tape, but it must be used in large quantities. However, this looks tacky. If looks is not a concern, then, by all means, use tape, as it is easier. Attach the lantern to the end of the cord, and be sure it hangs straight down from the ceiling. If it does not, adjust it until it does.

Paper Lantern Expander Insertion

The expander is easy to insert in the lantern, but one must be extra cautious when doing so. It is all too easy to rip the paper with these expanders if you are not careful. Your lantern will probably come flat, and it will revert back to this natural state if you do not insert an expander to force it open. First thing you must notice is that the hole at the top of your lantern is bigger than the hole at the bottom. So, insert the expander from the top, hook the grooves at the bottom to the edges of the hole at the bottom, and stretch the top of the lantern and snap it around the top of the lantern. The placement of the lanterns, once the expander is inserted, should be obvious.

Paper Lantern Parts

Most lanterns available for purchase are ball shaped, so the design is fairly simple to understand. The typical lantern needs an expander inside of it to stretch it open; the kit usually comes with the appropriate expander. You will probably have to buy a cord and socket separately, but they are relatively cheap. The cords come in sizes of about ten to fifteen feet, so measure the distance from the outlet to where you want the lantern to hang. Be sure to add some distance in case of error. You can find longer cords, but they are not easily found, so it may be in your best interest to use an extension cord if you need more distance.

Introduction to Hanging Paper Lanterns

Hanging paper lanterns are one of the most common types of paper lanterns, and they usually come needing some assembly. They come in various shapes and sizes. Though some lanterns come pre-assembled, it is much more practical for stores to keep them disassembled, so they most often come this way. Luckily, setting them up is easy; you can do it in about twenty minutes, unless you have an unusually compliated situations. These kinds of situations include setting up in an area with a high ceiling, with difficult to reach outlets, or outdoors on a very windy day. In these cases, it helps to look at a guide more specialized to these cases.