news

How Chinese New Year Lanterns Are Made: Traditional Silk vs. Modern Steel

When visitors stand in awe before a 20-meter glowing dragon in a winter park, few realize they are witnessing a perfect fusion of modern engineering and millennia-old craftsmanship.

A common question from our international clients is: “These lanterns look exquisite, but can they withstand outdoor wind and snow?” or “Are you a trading company or a factory?”

Chinese New Year Lanterns .jpeg

Large scale Chinese New Year Lanterns display in an outdoor park

As a source manufacturer with 20+ years of experience, Hoyechi is here to unveil the complete production process of Commercial Chinese New Year Lanterns and answer your most critical questions about project execution.

Part 1: From Blueprint to Reality – The 5-Step Process

Step 1: Design & 3D Modeling Everything starts with an idea. To ensure “what you see is what you get,” we move beyond simple hand sketches.

Customization: Our design team creates 3D models tailored to your specific venue (parks, zoos, or shopping malls).

Precision: Through Computer-Aided Design (CAD), we guarantee a 95%+ reduction rate from the concept image to the final product.

chinese-new-year-lanterns-design-vs-reality.jpg

Step 2: Steel Frame Welding (The Skeleton) This is the backbone of the lantern.

No Bamboo: For outdoor safety and durability, we strictly use high-strength steel.

Craftsmanship: Senior welders bend steel bars into complex 3D shapes, whether it’s a dragon’s claw or delicate flower petals.

Anti-Rust Treatment: All frames undergo rigorous anti-rust painting to prevent corrosion in humid or snowy conditions.

Master craftsmen making Chinese New Year lanterns

Step 3: Lighting Engineering (The Blood)

Light Source: We use IP65 waterproof high-intensity LED strips and modules.

Efficiency: Our LEDs are 70% more energy-efficient than traditional bulbs.

Safety: All internal circuits are insulated and waterproofed, equipped with leakage protection devices (GFCI).

 Step 4: Silk Skinning (The Skin)

Material: We use high-density Satin or colored silk.

Technique: Artisans use specialized glue to wrap the fabric tightly around the steel frame, ensuring a smooth, wrinkle-free, and water-resistant finish.

Step 5: Art Painting (The Soul) Finally, senior artists bring the lantern to life. Using airbrushes and hand-painting techniques, they add gradients, animal fur textures, and expressions, turning an industrial product into a piece of art.

Close-up of a skilled artisan hand-painting the eyes of a custom dragon lantern, showcasing the detailed craftsmanship of HOYECHI traditional Chinese lantern production.

 

Part 2: FAQ for Buyers (Lead Time, Shipping & Warranty)

Q1: Are you a direct manufacturer? A: Yes, we are a 100% source factory, not a trading company. Hoyechi is based in Dongguan, China, with our own metal workshops, art studios, and warehousing. We hold 80+ technical patents. You are welcome to inspect our factory via Zoom/WhatsApp video call or visit us in person. Working directly with the factory means you save 20-30% on middleman costs and have full control over the production schedule.

Q2: What is the lead time for production and shipping? A: A complete lantern festival project usually requires 3-4 months of planning.

Production Time: 15-25 days for a standard medium-sized festival (e.g., 20-30 lantern sets).

Shipping Time: Depends on your destination port.

West Coast: ~25 days.

East Coast / Europe: ~35-45 days.

Southeast Asia: ~7-10 days.

 

Tip: To launch in time for November/December holidays, we recommend placing orders by August or early September.

Q3: Do you provide installation services? A: Yes, we offer two installation support models:

 

Guided Installation (Recommended): We dispatch 1-2 core engineers to your site. They will guide your local team (or rented labor) on assembly and wiring. This is the most cost-effective option.

 

 

Turnkey Installation: For massive, complex projects, we can send a full construction team to handle everything.

 

Q4: What is your warranty policy? A: We provide a transparent, industry-standard warranty policy:

Electrical Components (1-Year Warranty): Includes LED strips, transformers, plugs, and controllers. If any non-human damage occurs within 1 year, we will ship replacement parts for free.

Lantern Fabric/Skin (Non-Warranty):

 

Why? Silk and Satin are considered Consumable Materials. Exposed to outdoor elements, it is a natural physical phenomenon for fabrics to fade or weather after a full year of UV radiation and rain. This is an industry-wide consensus.

 

 

Solution: We recommend replacing the fabric (refurbishment) in the second year. If your steel frame is intact, we offer a “refurbishment service” or can sell you pre-made fabric skin kits at a low cost.

fumigated-wooden-crate-packaging-lantern-export

 

Q5: I have no experience hosting a light show. Can you help design it? A: Absolutely. We offer full-service planning. Simply provide your venue’s site plan (e.g., park map) and budget range. Our design team will provide a customized proposal within 48 hours, including 3D renderings and visitor flow planning.

 

[Conclusion]

From the sparks in our Dongguan factory to the dazzling night views in your park, Hoyechi is committed to professionalism and transparency at every step.

Ready to light up your venue?

Contact Hoyechi Factory for a Free Quote

Commercial Chinese New Year Lanterns Explore Our Latest Commercial Lantern Projects

 


Post time: Jan-14-2026