Stencil Lanterns

Printing ink used with a ready-made stencil shape is a quick way to add intricate patterns onto home made lanterns. The dark decoration contrasts with the pale tissue background as the light shines through the jar.

Stencil Lanterns

Skill Level

Beginner

Time to Make

45 minutes + drying time for glue and paint

How to Make

  1. Tear some strips of white tissue paper and some small pieces of pale coloured tissue paper. Lightly paste glue over the jar and inside the neck. Press down the white strips to cover the jar with a few coloured strips on top. Leave to dry.
  2. Place the stencil onto jar. Press around the edges and over the design to check it is flat. Add strips of masking tape around the edge of the stencil to stop the ink going over the edge.
  3. Squeeze a small amount of printing ink into a saucer, dip a piece of sponge into the ink, dab it onto scrap paper to remove any excess ink, then dab through the stencil making sure it has printed through all areas on the design.
  4. Allow the first print to dry for a few minutes, then carefully lift up the stencil sheet, check there is no wet ink on the underside, then reposition it then make another pattern in the same way until the jar is covered. Leave to dry.
  5. Tie some coloured thread or ribbon around the neck of the jar and put a tealight inside.
Stencil Lanterns Stencil Lanterns Stencil Lanterns

Top Tip

Check the underside of the stencil sheet each time you make a print, if there is any wet ink wipe it away with paper towel. Clean the stencil sheet with a wet wipe on both sides after making 3 or 4 prints, as the ink can start to fill in the finer areas of the design. Pat the stencil sheet dry with paper towel and check it is completely clean and dry on the underside before re-using.

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