Halloween Tissue Paper Crafts: Ghosts, Lanterns & More

Updated Setpember 2026

Looking for Halloween tissue paper crafts? This collection brings together our Halloween makes using wet strength tissue paper, from giant ghosts and glowing lanterns to a witch’s hat. Choose a project below and follow the full tutorial, or scroll down for pumpkin prints, ghost image transfers and a pumpkin lantern idea.

Wet strength tissue paper stays strong when wet, so you can use it with paint and diluted PVA to create shapes, layers and light-catching decorations. Its translucent finish is especially effective for window displays and lanterns lit with battery-operated LEDs.

Choose your Halloween craft

Start with the finished decoration you’d like to make. Each of these tutorials takes you to a separate project, with more detail to help you get started.

Three more Halloween tissue paper craft ideas

Keep experimenting with colour, texture and light using these pumpkin and ghost projects.

Gel printing pumpkin stencil prints

Create vibrant pumpkin prints using gel plates and stencils.

1. Create a base layer: spread yellow printing ink onto your gel plate. Layer a sheet of wet strength tissue paper over the plate and allow it to dry fully. Once dry, peel it off to reveal the coloured base.
2. Add your pumpkin design: place a plastic pumpkin stencil on the gel plate and roll a layer of red printing ink on top. Lay your tissue paper over the plate again, press down and peel off to reveal your pumpkin print.
3. Display with a glow: the tissue paper’s translucency makes these prints look effective when held up to the light. Try using them as Halloween window decorations.

Gel plate printing ghost image transfers

Experiment with ghostly images and layered colour for Halloween prints.

1. Transfer the image: print ghost images in black and white using a laser printer. Spread a thin layer of acrylic paint over the gel plate and place your printed image face down onto it. Roll over the back of the paper to help the transfer, then peel it off to reveal the imprint on the plate.
2. Print your design: lay a sheet of wet strength tissue paper on top of the plate and peel it off to capture the ghost image.
3. Add colour and texture: roll another layer of acrylic paint in a contrasting colour over the plate using a textured roller. Lay your tissue paper over it again to create a layered ghost print.

Image transfers can take a little practice, so try a small test first to see how your printout and paint work together.

Wet strength tissue paper pumpkin lantern

Make a pumpkin lantern to add a handmade glow to your Halloween decorations.

1. Form your pumpkin shape: inflate a balloon and cover it with layers of wet strength tissue paper soaked in diluted PVA glue. Let the tissue dry completely.
2. Add colour and features: paint the dry tissue orange. After the paint dries, use a marker to draw a spooky or friendly pumpkin face.
3. Create the lantern: carefully make an opening in the top and pop and remove the balloon. An adult should handle cutting and balloon removal. Place a battery-operated LED tealight inside to light up your pumpkin.

Browse Carnival Papers craft videos on YouTube.

Use battery-operated LED lights only. Never use real candles or naked flames inside tissue paper decorations.

Get ready for your next Halloween make

Choose your favourite project and gather your materials. Explore our wet strength tissue paper, PVA and adhesives, and battery-operated LED tealights to get started.

From a colourful window print to a whole gathering of ghosts, there are plenty of ways to bring a handmade touch to Halloween with Carnival Papers.