Paper Lantern Store

What Paper Lantern Store does

Paper Lantern Store is a direct-to-consumer e-commerce retailer founded in 2001-2002 and operated from a single Northern California warehouse and shipping facility (Redwood City area). The company sells decorative paper lanterns, nylon and specialty lanterns, star lanterns, string lights, pendant lamp kits, light bulbs, party and wedding decorations, table decor, and craft accessories through its website PaperLanternStore.com, supplemented by phone-based customer support. It claims the "world's largest selection of lanterns," with 40+ color options, sizes ranging from 4" to 48", and product prices spanning $1.53 for basic items to $17.95+ for premium nylon lanterns.

The business serves three primary consumer use-case segments: wedding and event planners needing bulk matching decor, party and celebration hosts, and home decor/DIY enthusiasts. It ships to all US states and over 50 international countries via US International Priority Mail and FedEx. The revenue model is straightforward unit-based retail sales with no subscription component, enhanced by volume discount codes (15% off orders over $500 via SAVE15, 20% off orders over $1000 via SAVE20) and free shipping on orders over $99 within the continental US. Marketing channels are limited to email newsletter, blog content, and organic SEO — there are no paid advertising or social media profiles disclosed, and no app or mobile platform exists.

The company is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, funding rounds, parent company, or management team on its website. It has no patents, no partnerships disclosed, no certifications, and no regulatory actions on record. The only documented recent corporate action is a 2025 logo rebrand. Operationally, the business appears to be a lean, independently operated lifestyle/small-business scale retailer rather than a venture-backed growth company.

Name

Paper Lantern Store

Legal name

Paper Lantern Store

Website

https://paperlanternstore.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Paper Lantern Store is a privately held, direct-to-consumer e-commerce retailer founded in 2001-2002 that sells paper lanterns, party lights, and wedding and event decorations to consumers, event planners, and home decorators from a Northern California warehouse, shipping domestically and to 50+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Decorative lighting and party supplies

NAICS

Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Retailers (459420)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYCRAIACAD

Seasonal, Holiday & Party Home Décor Retail

Consumer Products & Retail/Home & Furniture Retail/Home Décor & Accessories Retail

SECONDARYCRAIAHAJ

Holiday & Decorative String Lighting Retail

Consumer Products & Retail/Home & Furniture Retail/Lighting & Ceiling Fans Retail

SECONDARYHSACAOAI

Ceremony & Aisle Decor (Arches, Chuppahs, Mandaps)

Home & Personal Services/Event & Personal Concierge Services/Event Decor, Floral & Styling Services

SECONDARYCRAIAHAE

Lamps Retail (Table, Floor, Desk)

Consumer Products & Retail/Home & Furniture Retail/Lighting & Ceiling Fans Retail

SECONDARYCRAIACAC

Candles, Home Fragrance & Diffusers Retail

Consumer Products & Retail/Home & Furniture Retail/Home Décor & Accessories Retail

Keywords

• Paper lantern retail
• Decorative lighting products
• Wedding decorations
• Party supplies
• Holiday decorations

Headquarters

HQ city

Fishkill

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Direct-to-consumer retail sales of paper lanterns, party lights, wedding decorations, and related accessories through e-commerce website and phone orders. One-time purchase model with no subscription. Products range from individual items ($1.53 for basic lanterns) to premium items ($17.95 for fine line nylon lanterns).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Paper Lantern Store operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce store for paper, nylon, star, and specialty lanterns, decorative lights, and related accessories. It also sells premade party packs and wedding, tabletop, craft, and holiday decorations for individual and bulk purchases.

Product overview

Paper Lantern Store operates as a single e-commerce platform offering the world's largest selection of lanterns and party decorations. The core product portfolio centers on paper lanterns (available in round, specialty, and star shapes), nylon lanterns for outdoor durability, and associated lighting products including string lights, pendant cord kits, and light bulbs. The offering is extended through complementary party decoration categories including wedding supplies (parasols, hand fans, pomanders), table top decor (candle holders, vases, table linens), event/celebration decorations organized by holiday and theme, and craft accessories. All products are available for individual purchase or as pre-packaged party packs and bulk quantities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Paper Lanterns Round paper lanterns offered in even-ribbing, crisscross, premium fine-line, traditional Chinese, patterned, artisan-print, crepe, and Japanese kozo fibrous-paper styles.
• Nylon Lanterns Durable outdoor-friendly lanterns made from nylon fabric, including traditional Chinese, fine-line, and unique-shaped variants.
• Star Lanterns Decorative star-shaped lanterns in solid colors, patterns, premium glitter, multi-point and Moravian styles, and outdoor weatherproof plastic variants.
• Specialty Lanterns Unique-shaped lanterns and lamps made from Tyvek paper, linen fabric, Vietnamese silk, and other materials, including table and floor lamps and eyelet lace-look paper lanterns.
• LED Lantern Light Kits Battery-operated LED lighting kits designed for paper lanterns, with remote-control options for multi-function lighting effects.
• String Lights Commercial-grade outdoor string lights, plug-in or battery-powered fairy wire lights, classic Christmas lights, and paper-lantern string lights for events and patios.
• Pendant Lamp Cord Kits Single-socket, multi-socket, modern contemporary, and outdoor-rated pendant lamp cord kits, including options with light-bulb cages.
• Light Bulbs Shatterproof LED, vintage Edison, colored, warm-white, and cool-white light bulbs in E26, E17, and E12 sizes and multiple shapes.
• Premade Party Packs Pre-assorted party-supply bundles in same-color, multi-color, sports-themed, holiday-themed, nylon, and lights-included options.
• Wedding & Party Decor Wedding and party-decoration supplies, including paper and nylon parasols, hand and personalized fans, pomander kissing balls, photo backdrops, paper pom poms, garlands, banners, pennants, tassels, honeycomb balls, and fair-trade cotton tapestries.
• Table Top Decor Tabletop decoration items, including candle holders, mercury-glass votives, tea-light holders, glass votives, floral vases, centerpieces, placemats, lace doilies, table covers, runners, and chair covers.
• Craft & Accessories DIY craft supplies, including decorative glass bottles, mason jars, baker's twine, ribbon rolls, paddle fans, treat bags, stickers, paper straws, and animal-face DIY kits.
• Holiday Decorations Seasonal decorations for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Chinese and Lunar New Year, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, and Fourth of July.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Party City: Party City is a national specialty retailer of party supplies, balloons, and themed decor. It addresses the same celebration and event-planner use cases but emphasizes disposables and licensed themes rather than decorative lanterns and ambient lighting.
• Oriental Trading Company: Oriental Trading is a long-established large-scale direct retailer of party supplies, decorations, and novelties. It overlaps with Paper Lantern Store on party packs, string lights, and themed decor, though it does not specialize in premium lanterns.
• Amazon: Amazon is the dominant general e-commerce marketplace carrying paper lanterns, string lights, party decor, and lighting from thousands of sellers. It competes with Paper Lantern Store on assortment, price, and Prime-driven shipping speed across the same categories.
• Wayfair: Wayfair is a major home furnishings and decor retailer with deep selection in pendant lighting, string lights, and decorative fixtures. It overlaps on the lighting and home decor side of Paper Lantern Store's catalog with a much broader assortment.
• Michaels: Michaels is a national craft and DIY retailer selling paper lanterns, party decor, lighting, and DIY craft accessories. It overlaps with Paper Lantern Store's DIY craft and accessories line and party pack offerings, though it is broader in category scope.
• World Market: World Market (Cost Plus) sells globally inspired home decor, lanterns, candles, and party accessories through its stores and online. It competes in decorative lanterns, candles/votives, and tabletop decor that overlap with Paper Lantern Store's specialty lines.

Emerging players

• BHLDN: BHLDN (an Anthropologie brand) is a wedding-focused retailer carrying decor, lanterns, candles, and event styling products. It targets the same wedding planner and event host customers but at higher price points and with a curated, fashion-forward assortment.
• Etsy: Etsy is an online marketplace for handmade, vintage, and craft goods including decorative lanterns, party decor, and personalized wedding items. Many small sellers there compete with Paper Lantern Store on artisan and customized decorative lanterns.

Direct peers

• Just Artifacts: Just Artifacts retails Asian-inspired home decor including paper and silk lanterns, parasols, and event lighting. It targets the same wedding, party, and home decor customers as Paper Lantern Store and competes directly on the lantern and decorative lighting assortment.
• Luna Bazaar: Luna Bazaar is a direct e-commerce competitor selling paper lanterns, parasols, paper fans, and wedding/party decor to the same consumer and event-planner segments. It overlaps closely with Paper Lantern Store on core SKUs and use cases (weddings, Asian-inspired parties, home decor).

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thelanternstore
• Facebookfacebook.com/paperlanternstore
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/star-paper-hanging

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Paper Lantern Store