25 September 2026
Independent fair trade paper lantern maker Paper Starlights is celebrating its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of handcrafted stars and a long-standing partnership between family businesses in the UK and India.
The Chesterfield-based business has marked the milestone with a BAFTS Member Spotlight, looking at its origins, traditional production methods, artisan relationships and plans for the future.
From Diwali to 30 years of stars
Paper Starlights began after its founders were inspired by paper stars they saw during Diwali in India.
“Light, colour. Then the geometry, the simplicity, the structure – and the thought that somebody had made this simply to make people happy.
“We had no plan to start a business. We just thought, ‘Everybody should have one of these,’ and that perhaps we were in the right place to help make that happen,” they said.
The stars are still hand screen-printed, punched and assembled, with some designs featuring more than 1,000 individual pinholes.
“Each star is screen-printed by hand using a wooden frame, a canvas screen and non-toxic pigments. But the skill is anything but basic,” the founders said.
Three decades of partnership
The business has continued its relationship with its Indian partner across three decades, despite major changes in technology and the trading environment.
“We loved the product, and we shared intent, openness and mutual trust. This is something that transcends cultural difference, and still shapes how we do business now,” the founders said.
The spotlight also explores Paper Starlights’ work with women artisans, including flexible working arrangements and new partnerships developing bamboo stars and accessories.
“One of the most important things is that the work can be brought to where women live, rather than women having to travel to a remote workplace,” they said.
‘Share trade’ and looking ahead
Paper Starlights describes its approach as “share trade”, with fairness extending across the wider supply chain.
“Fairness cannot begin and end with the relationship between a supplier and a buyer. It has to encompass everything in between – and far beyond,” the founders said.
Looking ahead, the business is developing installations for visitor attractions, heritage spaces and places of faith, while strengthening its producer relationships for the next 30 years.
“Our first experience of the stars had been that they brought people together. 30 years on we’re celebrating and exploring this further through the installations which are themed around being ‘under the same sky of stars’,” they said.
The full BAFTS Member Spotlight explores Paper Starlights’ 30-year journey, approach to fair trade and ambitions for the years ahead.
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