Read a few reviews before I bought these since they looked a bit lighter in color and heft from the ones I grew up using, and sure enough. Most critically and to make these cheaper, they skipped a step that burns off all the small splinters and wisps. Before you get these, I highly recommend also picking up a butane kitchen lighter or something else able to provide a directed flame to make your job easier. If you live in the suburbs, also get a fireman or other professional to help. Everyone else, you'll be fine doing this at your sink, stove, or outside. All you have to do is burn the splinters and whatnot away by running the flame back and forth over each surface of the holder. When you're licking the flame close enough, it should be obvious where the trouble is. It'll take some practice getting the speed and distance from the surface right, but the goal is to roast everything off while leaving the wicker lightly toasted to a medium to dark blonde. Easier said than done, so go nuts and don't sweat the scorch marks. But if it's that unsightly, char can be removed with course steel wool, a small wire brush, or scotch-brite, but it should also slowly wear away as you use the holders, so...... The flame will make the wicker slightly stronger and more resistant to moisture if done correctly over every surface to maximize the cell shrinking effect of the heat, but you're just about to (or already did) spend about $10 on paper plate holders. Clearly we're not going for perfection here.
Rating: [4 of 5 Stars!]