Personalised Printing Onto Balloons

What is balloon printing?

Balloon printing is quite simply the procedure of applying some type of graphic onto the surface of a balloon. Balloon printing companies have been around for a long time, but contemporary printing techniques and new equipment are helping to improve the scope of what kind of balloons can be printed on, and what logos may be applied.

Balloons can have multi-coloured patterns printed onto their surfaces, and this can be enhanced by using clever designs and making use of the colour of the balloon itself. It is likewise possible to print onto both sides of a balloon, so no matter where folks are standing in relation to the balloon they ought to be able to see the printed images. Printing can be applied to both latex and foil balloons.

This post hopes to spotlight just a few of the possible uses of personalised, printed balloons.

Advantages

Balloons are great because they are not an overly pricey thing to get hold of. Even the more fancy balloons do not have to cost the Earth, and when you compare prices with many of the alternatives you can easily see the monetary benefits of printed balloons.

One of the most interesting things about using printed balloons at any type of occasion is the great flexibility they offer. Today’s balloon technology allows such a broad range of shapes, sizes and shades that you can really let your imaginationrun wild and allow your creative side to take over.

This versatility becomes even more significant when you start using balloons collectively to create balloon strings or sculptures. You can intermix different coloured balloons to good effect and create bold patterns, or use different shapes and sizes of balloons to create eye-catching displays.

Another fantastic benefit of utilizing balloons is that they are incredibly lightweight. This makes them extremely easy to move around and to sculpt into various sculptures. You will not need to employ moving men or forklift trucks to get them to where you would like them to be! Another great benefit is that if you are going to fill them on location, many hundreds of balloons will fit into a handbag. This means they can be used to spruce up even the most remote of locations.

You can find out much more information on the website for a custom design company or wholesaler.

For social events

Having a set of your own, personalised, printed balloons for a social gathering always adds an additional factor of fun and interest to whatever you are doing. Whether the function you are attending is a relatively formal affair, such as a grand dinner party, or a quite informal occasion, such as a stag or hen party, you will discover that printed balloons can really make the night stand out.

Wedding parties

Wedding parties are the ideal occasion for usingprinted balloons to spruce up your setting. They are both formal and informal events at the same moment, with a serious purpose but also a focus on having fun and enjoying the day. This is when the versatility of balloon printing comes into its own.

For the wedding meal, photo-taking or any other official announcements, you can use various smart balloons printed to complement your surroundings. Then when the partyreally starts you can use a collection of fun balloons with a personalised wedding message.

Stag & hen nights

Stag and hen nights are usually fun occasions, and more often than not they will entail some form of dressing up or adornment. So why not use printed balloons as a way of “jazzing up” your evening and truly making your party stand out from the masses. Here are just a few ideas.

L-plate balloons. One of the most recognisable elements of a hen party is the bride to be wearing driving L-plates on their outfit. It is a classic touch that always makes the lucky lady stand out from her group of hens. But there is no reason to limit yourself to embellishing outfits. Why not print an L-plate on a large balloon and attach it to the bride to be. Then everyone will easily know who to watch out for during the rest of the evening!

Nickname balloons. Groups of males out on stag nights will frequently have their photos and nicknames used by their good friends printed onto a t-shirt or top. But again, why stop at the outfits? You can print faces, nicknames, or just about any other funny facts onto personalised balloons and give them out to members of your stag group. You can even make a competition out of who manages to get their balloon safely through the night!

Decorating functions

Printed balloons at events don’t have to be hugely conspicuous or gaudy. In fact, you will find that there are many ways that you can arrange printed balloons to create very stylish effects. At many formal functions, such as award ceremonies or grand birthday parties, balloons can become an interesting piece of furniture as opposed to an outlandish assertion. You can probably think of more than one occasion that you have witnessed this.

The great flexibility that comes with employing balloons at events means that they can be both promotional and decorative. You might use a printed pattern on the balloons and then gather lots of them together to give the sense of dynamic wallpaper! On the other hand you could use the surface area of the balloons to print your corporate branding or information you want to get across to your guests.

Latex balloons are actually an ecologically friendly item; click here to read further about their environmental impact.

For corporate events

Whilst many of us associate memories of balloons with birthday parties when we were youngsters, printed balloons can also be used in a more grownup environment. The use of printed balloons can actually be very advantageous in the business world.

Exhibitions

Anyone who has had a stand at a corporate exhibition will know just how much competition there is for space and quite how hard everyone tries to bring potential customers in their direction. If you utilise the standard strategies of marketing to your exhibition show you will discover that you need to spend plenty of time, and normally lots of money, to really stand out.

Advertising potential

If you are using helium filled balloons to help market your organisationthen you will be immediately at an advantage. As we all know, helium filled balloons are lighter than the air around them and will float upwards. With the right amount of string attached to the balloon you will be positioning your corporate identity in a space over and above the reach of regular advertising. If your rivals are not doing the same, you will have that space to yourself.

Just like printing your logo or corporate message on carrier bags or other packaging, branding onto balloons offers a mobile marketing space that you do not have to transport around yourself. Every time you give out a printed balloon to a customer at the exhibition, you are effectively giving out a promotional piece for your organisation that will be movingaround. Wherever that individual goes, your company branding will go too.

Yet another great benefit of using printed balloons as a corporate advertising application is the price. No matter what state the overall economy may be in, firms are continually looking for the most cost-effective ways to promote themselves, and printed balloons are certainly one of these methods. For a relativelylow price you can get hold of a good range of balloons, all printed with your bespoke message. They are a very cost-effective advertising space.

It is important to note that employing a 100 percent balloon-based solution as your marketing plan will not always bring the results you are seeking. It is much better to use printed balloons as a single part of your advertising campaign.

For companies looking to use printed balloons as a promotional tool B-Loony is No.1 for Balloon Advertising, Printing, Accessories, Wholesale Balloons & Events and will assist preparing great balloon structure to promote your name.

Balloon printing options

There are two primary types of balloon that can be printed on; latex balloons and also foil balloons.

Latex balloons are the most common type of balloon. They are the teardrop shaped balloons that are slightly rubbery in texture. They now come in a broad range of colour options, and you can even get balloons that are semi-transparent or have a metallic surface finish. All latex balloons can be printed on but it is well worth bearing in mind the base colour of the balloon when producing a design.

Foil balloons are in fact made from mylar, and rather than being formed of one single piece of material they are more commonly made by sealing two separate pieces together. This hemming process allows for a wide range of different designs, including stars and hearts.

The environmental impact

Balloons are a consumable item, and as such people are often concerned about the effect they have upon the environment. The good news is that balloons are in fact quite an environmentally friendly product and using them will not have a harmful effect on the natural world. Many experiments have been done that support this view.

Latex balloons are made of a material called natural rubber latex (NRL) which is gathered from trees in tropical areas. The trees are merely tapped for their rubber rather than chopped down, and the cultivation of rubber tree plantations actually helps to avoid rainforest deforestation.
They are also biodegradable and can actually be used on the compost heap! Latex balloons will decompose at different rates depending on the circumstances they are left in, although testing has demonstrated that they will usually decompose entirely within 6 months. This is the same length of time as oak leaves take to decompose.

Get your own printed balloons

I hope this article will have highlighted a few of the situations that printed balloons are well suited to, and maybe you are already thinking of an upcoming event where balloons would make a great party piece. Whether it is an individual or work-based event, they are certainly worth thinking about.

If you want to find out more about obtaining your own customised printed balloons, there are many companies that are now offering balloon printing as a service. By searching on-line you will be able to locate a balloon printing company that can help you out.

A Balloon Arch

Introduction 

Whenever there is a special event being held, the organisers want to make an impact or find something novel to wow the people attending the event. Sometimes there are ice sculptures or huge displays of flowers, maybe swathes of fabric, all intended to make an impression on the guests. One novel idea is to have Balloon sculptures or a Balloon Arch. They are bright, colourful and impressive structures which catch the eye and are a great way to make an impact at your event. There are balloon arches to compliment any occasion, whether it is a wedding, promotional marketing campaign event or special celebration such as 40th wedding anniversary.

Usually when there is a special event, profession balloon decorators would be engaged to make an eye catching arch of colour or combination of colours which can be twisted to greater effect. There is a choice of a huge selection of any number of colours, from basic colours to pearl shine and metallic finishes, when combined in a creative blend, they will augment any decor you may choose.

Professional balloon party decorators would know how to prepare a balloon arch and use electronic equipment to measure the precise amount of helium to fill the balloon to achieve a uniform size for the best results.

However, if you are an aspiring balloon sculptor then you might like to attempt a balloon arch for yourself.

Here is How You Make a Balloon Arch

Materials: 

Latex Balloons (The number will depend on the size of the arch), Nylon Line (Like that used for fishing), 2 Weights, Balloon Sizer, Curling Ribbon or tulle (Net), Helium in canister

Stage 1

Cut the nylon thread (fishing line) to the exact, length required (See formula below)

Arch length formula

• If the arch is wider than it is tall: Height + Width = approximate total length
• If the arch height and width are about the same: (1.5 x Height) + Width = approximate total length

If the arch is taller than it is wide: (2 x Height) + Width = approximate total length

Stage 2 

Both ends need to be tied to something heavy to hold it in place while you work.

Stage 3

Using the balloon sizer as a guide, inflate the balloons with helium so that they are a consistent size. (A cardboard circular template can be used if you have no sizer.)

Stage 4

Secure the balloons on to the line (always approaching the line from the same side)

Stage 5

Leave approximately 12″ between each balloon. Once they are tied on the balloons can be moved lightly to the required position so that it is firm and the shape you want.

Stage 6

Release the ends of the line from its holder and fix a suitable weight to either end of the arch to hold it in place. It can be a star weight or frilly foil weight.

Stage 7

Any finishing touches can now be added to the arch such as curling ribbon which is allowed to hang down or tulle festooned to give a wedding effect.

Helium Balloons

Balloons filled with helium gas are lighter than air which means they float upwards. Professional quality balloons are made from 100% biodegradable latex and are usually larger in size than most retail packet balloons. Helium filled latex balloons from your wholesale balloon suppliers typically only retain their buoyancy for a few hours. The enclosed helium atoms are smaller than the pores in the latex through which they escape. To increase the float time of a helium balloon for up to a week, the inside of the balloons is coated with a special polymer solution to minimise the leakage of the helium.

Safety and environmental concerns

Helium filled balloons once released into the atmosphere usually travel a long way before they finally burst or deflate. An estimated 90/95% of balloons released rise to an altitude of 5 miles, at which height the cold will cause the balloon to become brittle and shatter into miniscule pieces. The tiny fragments then floating back to earth to degrade into the ground. Because the latex from which balloons are made comes from the Hevea tree they are completely biodegradable and the dyes used in latex colouring are also non-toxic. Research has demonstrated that latex balloons degrade faster than oak leaves. Oxidation occurs first in the breakdown of latex and it begins within an hour of a balloon being inflated. As the decaying process is by natural exposure the nutrients are released into the soil.

Balloon Sculptures and Arches

Even though hundreds of balloons may be needed for sculptures and arches, they are often constrained because of the round shape of the balloons. More ambitious “sculptures” have been attempted on occasion but mostly they are restricted to simple walls or arches.

There are many events where balloon arches could be used. The most fashionable type of arch is a single row of pearl latex balloons with co-ordinating ribbons. Often they provide a focal point at a wedding for a couple to pass through either at the service or at the reception. They may serve as a frame to outline other displays or for photograph taking, or just to enhance a feature at the venue. The arch is held in place by a hand-made weight covered by a bow. Sometimes balloons arches are used for table decorations at special events with smaller balloons for each arch. The decoration will usually include curled ribbon with an added weight to stop the balloons from floating away.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that balloon arches make a wonderful eye catching centre piece for any event|occasion|festivity}. There is an unlimited choice of colours and effects, foil balloons can make a particularly interesting balloon arch at a relatively low cost. They are a spectacular alternative to arches of flowers or drapes and provide a lively talking point for guests. Whatever your celebration may be, whether it is a wedding, birthday or special anniversary, or a corporate event, the balloon arch will give a special flavour to your occasion enhancing the total experience.