You will use the Union and Difference options in Inkscape to design the windows digitally. Right now, there are no windows for light to shine through the lantern is a solid black base. The gray-and-white checkerboard background is see-through (in technical terms, it's an alpha channel.) To begin, download the correct template for your region (A4 or Letter) from the links above and open it in Inkscape. Safety note: Only use battery-operated candles for this project.

Craft knife, ruler, and cutting mat (a craft cutting machine/laser cutter can be used instead).

If you don't have Inkscape, you can install it from your software repository on Linux or download it from the Inkscape website on MacOS and Windows. This article demonstrates how to create your own lantern using Inkscape.

While it's impractical for lighting, a lantern with windows in spooky shapes and lurking silhouettes can be atmospheric and a lot of fun to create. What makes a lantern a lantern are the parts that are missing: windows cut from the structure so that light can escape. Typically, a portion of a lantern's structure is opaque to block the light from within.

The spooky season is almost here! This year, decorate your haunt with a unique Halloween lantern made with open source!

Inkscape laser cutter tabs