Balloon Decorations FAQ

What you always wanted to know about balloon decorations you'll (hopefully) find here - or you ask a question and I will answer it as best as I can. But, as this is an interactive page, YOU can answer a question too, as you might know an alternative solution or simply have more experience in a certain area than I have.

Perhaps you have a great tip on how to make a colour matching base. Or you've found a special technique to apply hi-float for best results. We'd love to hear about it.

Click here to - Ask one, Answer one or Rate one!

This way, you save yourself and others the trouble of asking the same question on balloon decorating issues, or you become my co-expert on this subject by rating and submitting comments.

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When you ask me a question or submit a tip, I will build your own page exclusively for your balloon decorations issue. You can add more questions or let visitors add comments and ratings at the 'Visitor Comments' below the page, and I will always be there to answer them and help you.
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Balloon Decoration FAQ
- My Most Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How do I create a balloon centerpiece, i.e. with 2 clusters of 4 with a latex 9 inch heart coming out of the middle?

Answer: The first thing you need is a balloon base. We feature some examples for balloon bases here. A centerpiece with two clusters of four with a latex heart on top is similar to our "Valentine Balloon Bouquet". If you follow the basic process outlined there, but with two layers of 4 balloons instead of one layer with 3 balloons, you should do fine.

Question: What is the easiest way to use tulle instead of curling ribbon?

Answer: For balloon bouquets you should not use solely tulle to attach the balloons to the base as the tulle will get stretched out and won't look nice after a while. The best way is to use curling ribbon to attach the balloons and then disguise the ribbon with tulle.

Question: Where can I get a column base from?

Answer: You can either buy a ready made one from a specialist balloon supplier or you can make one yourself, as we explain on our site. The materials for the self-made balloon column base can be found at a hardware store or at an electrical supplier (the conduit).


Question: What are the dimensions to make the Base for a 14'-16' column?

Answer: I would suggest you use steel base plates (custom cut - from a machine shop for example) as a base for those tall columns - they are heavier than the plywood ones that we describe on our web site. The downside of steel base plates is that you need to weld the flanges onto the center.Alternatively you could use strong nylon cord (aka parachute cord) to strap your plywood square base to the top of a same size square concrete stepping stone from the hardware store. That should make the base heavy enough to support your 14 to 16' column.

If the column is just for a short event (one evening) you could also fill the balloons with helium - then they will support themselves, more or less. Of course this makes it more expensive and the balloons won't hold the helium as long as they will hold air.

Question: Can I have directions for building my own columns sent to my email address?

Answer: We haven't got round to turn our website in an e-book so far, although we'd like to do that. So the best thing I can recommend is to print out the respective pages from our site and take them with you to the venue.

Question: Where do we purchase the supplies for the Hot Air Balloon Model?

Answer: Unfortunately I can only recommend a supplier in Germany, where we buy the material for the Hot Air Balloon Models ourselves. Their web site is in English and German, so please check it out: Balloon AS. I am not sure about the conditions for international delivery though.

You could also try Qualatex' "Find-A-Pro" page. There you'll find a list of balloon professionals and retailers in the USA, Canada, UK and other countries.

Question: I am interested in this balloon service, where do you operate?

Answer: We are delighted that you are interested in our balloon decoration service.However, we don't offer our decorating services at the moment, due to relocation and starting a new job. I am sorry that we can't help you with your request. You could do a search at the BallonHQ Directory. They have a list of balloon artists and decorators worldwide. You can specify your search by country, state, city, by category or even by name, if you are looking for a certain company.

Question: Which company is the best wholesaler to buy all balloons?

Answer: As we are not living in the UK, we can't really comment on the best wholesaler there from own experience. A reliable source with high quality products surely is Qualatex / Pioneer. As a business you can order their catalog for free. They also feature a list of qualified distributors in the USA, Europe and other countries who sell balloons in bulk to retailers. These select distributors are members of the Qualatex Balloon Network (QBN) distributor program.

Question: Where do I find information about balloon sculpturing / decorating classes?

Answer: Please check out the BalloonHQ Calendar. They feature a regularly updated calendar of various educational classes in the States and Europe.

Simply fill in the form below. You can even upload a photo to illustrate your problem or solution.

Haven't found the answer to your question in my FAQ list? Then here's the place where you can ask your question, add a comment or share your answer to one of the issues with your fellow balloon decorators.

Simply fill in the form below. You can even upload a photo to illustrate your problem or solution.

Click on the links below to see some great questions and/or tips about balloon decorating. They were all submitted by other visitors of this page.

Can you recommend a good training dvd for balloon decoration? 
I am starting up a Party balloon business and need a good dvd with plenty of ideas.

How do I make the netting for hot air balloon centerpieces? 
Hello,

Great website, by the way!

I was thinking of creating hot air balloon centerpieces for the reception for my son's Christening. I'm not sure ...

What kind of decoration is best for a 40th birthday surprise party? 
I want to get tips for decorating a friend's husband's 40th birthday surprise party. The colours for the day are light blue and yellow. Please help me ...

How do I use HI FLOAT? 
Hi,
This is my first balloon bouquet, I need help with the latex balloons - how do you treat the balloons with the "HI-FLOAT" treatment?

I blew up ...

How do i make a balloon cloud 
It's 1 huge balloon with 4 little balloons around the bottom with ribbon coming from the bottom. Its been described as looking like an octopus.

How do you make a heart shape decoration with balloons 
Just wondering if anyone could help me with this as i have searched the internet and have found nothing. have tried this but think there should be an easier ...

How do i hang a framed balloon heart to a ceiling? 
I have found help on how to make a heart frame with aluminium rod. I am wrapping this in air filled 5" balloons and i would like to hang this from the ...

Ballon pricing fundamentals 
Is there anywhere I can get a book or ebook on balloon fundamentals and pricing?

Thanks.

How much support will I need to make a rainbow arch w/linkaloons for a float? 
We are making a float for a parade this Thursday 7/24/08. We have a tank of helium, 300 linkaloons and a 10 x 12 trailer. We wanted to have 4 or 5 rows ...

How to cover a column with balloons 
My son's birthday is going to be at a pavilion which have four wide-concrete-columns, I want to cover them with balloons, how do I do that?

Working with Link-o-loons 
My mom and I are planning on making air-filled swags with the 6" link-o-loons. We have never worked with link-o-loons before.
How many days in advance ...

How much swag? 
How do I know how much swag to use?

Say I want a 10 ft garland with about 2 ft swag, how do I calculate the length including the swag? Is there a standard ...

Allergies to Latex 
I am working with balloons for the past 5 years as a party decorator, but recently I have some allergy to latex. Is there some kind of balloons made with ...

Can you use part air/part helium in balloon clouds? 
I was just wondering, as to save on helium, if in a balloon cloud I could use some balloons filled with air?
And if its possible, how many needed to ...

Making a false ceiling to hold helium balloons 
4 hanging ceiling lights in reception hall. Can I attach tulle or similar material to the 4 corners of the lights and let helium balloons float UNDER the ...

Where can I get an electrical balloon inflator? 
I have been looking for an electrical balloon inflator, please can you help me find one to buy. Thanks

How do I make a Balloon Baby 
It's pretty easy ... one balloon for the head, one for the body, and 4 sets of duplets for the arms and legs. My problem, how do you attach the arms and ...

How does the balloon arch stay arch shaped? 
If you are making a balloon arch which starts with large balloons at the bottom and filters out to 5" balloons for the actual arch, as you dont fill the ...

Dimensions for a star shaped arch 
We are doing an arch for Relay for Life. The track is approximately 12' wide and there will be 300+ cancer survivors walking through it. We are wanting ...

Balloon business insurance? 
Help!
Where can i get Balloon business insurance?
I just cant find any anywhere, i need it to cover me for everything, i know about nabas but dont fancy ...

Why is my air filled arch made with aluminium rod sagging in the middle? 
The arch is not arch shaped. It is swinging down in the middle.

Help with Sweet 16 
How do you make a heart balloon arch & how can I make it look like cinderella's coach?
Thanks, Ang

How do I make a frame for a star and heart 
How do I make a frame for a star and heart wall arrangment?

Hanging Balloon Design 
I want to make a cluster of helium balloons and attach from 4 ceiling light fixtures with drapes of tulle. Do you have any instructions for that? thanks...

Balloon Netting 
How do I make netting to drape over a balloon. Knot details for the crosshatch pattern would be helpful.

Thank you

How do I make a balloon archway? 
I am trying to make an archway for my daughters birthday party, buy haven't a clue how. Please help.

Thick Balloon Arch 
How do you make a very thick balloon arch?

How do I make the balloon net? 
How do i make the balloon net?

Balloon Arch  Not rated yet
How do i make a balloon arch?

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