The main purpose of inflatable balloons is to bring happiness to people. They cope well with this task. Just by looking at the products, associations with celebration and fun immediately appear. They are used at various events: birthdays, weddings, corporate events, graduations. With their help, they create various compositions, arches, figures, decorate the hall with balls, and decorate the interiors of other rooms. They can often be found at street celebrations.
The first inflatable models, which became an attribute of fun, appeared in the 19th century in England. Rubber was used for their production. They were introduced as a children's toy in London in 1847 by John Ingram. In 1931, Neil Taylotson presented new latex options, which are still used today.
Features: advantages and disadvantages of design
The balloon represents a joyful, bright future. It is an integral attribute of many celebrations, it evokes a feeling of lightness and positivity, and allows you to escape from the everyday hustle and bustle. Inflatable products are very popular all over the world. They are used at various public holidays and festivals.
In everyday life, there are also many reasons why people resort to this type of decoration. This could be the birth of a child, a christening, an engagement, an anniversary, a presentation, a romantic gift. This interest in balloons is not accidental; it is caused primarily by the advantages of aerodesign, among which are:
- Budget option for event planning. Compared to other types of decorative decorations, for example, fresh flowers, garlands, textiles, balloons will cost much less.
- Large selection of colors and shapes. Thanks to the huge palette of shades, you can easily choose the option that suits a specific celebration.
- Processing speed. Creating a composition will not take much time, and you can do it yourself.
- The versatility of the material. Suitable for children's and adult parties.
- With their help you can create a variety of objects, figures, garlands.
Such decorations are not without some disadvantages:
- If the balloons are overly inflated, they may burst, causing a loud bang.
- To create aerodynamic figures you will need certain skills and a sense of taste.
- When choosing a product, you need to pay attention to its condition; low-quality models may burst before the event starts.
- When inflated, the balloons are very light; with the slightest draft, they can fly around the room.
Balloons can be useful even after the celebrations are over. This is a great toy for a child, they can be given to friends and relatives.
What are the types of balls - types and characteristics
Manufacturers offer a wide range of models that differ in shape, color, and texture. This variety allows these products to be used for many events. However, when independently choosing a suitable option, it is difficult to understand all the nuances and give preference to a specific new product. Among the existing products are:
- traditional latex;
- walking foil figures;
- for modeling;
- for package;
- foil (mylar);
- balloons;
- punch balloons;
- balloons with two or more tails;
- glowing;
- panoramic 3D.
Regular latex balloons
Everyone has known standard round balls since childhood. This is the most common and affordable type of inflatable products that can be purchased at any kiosk, store with children's toys and souvenirs. They are made from latex, which is an aqueous dispersion of colloidal rubber particles stabilized by emulsifiers.
Traditional models differ in color and size. Mostly they have a single color, but there are options with inscriptions, drawings, and printed images. Depending on the purpose, you can find packaging in one tone or assorted. There are several main types based on color:
- matte opaque (pastel);
- colored with slight transparency (crystal);
- translucent metallic version (mother of pearl);
- shiny with a metallized surface (metallic).
Product size is determined in inches. The most common values: 5, 10, 12, 14, 18, 27, 45. The purpose of the item largely depends on the parameter. Options 12 and 14 are filled with helium, sold at public events, decorated with ceilings, and used for advertising printing. Smaller ones are suitable for creating figures, garlands, letters.
Foil or mylar balloons
Foil models are made from the thinnest lavsan film; glue, metal, and coloring matter are successively applied to its surface. The finished product is obtained by joining 2 identical pieces of lavsan using a heat seal or ultrasound. The total thickness of the product is only 0.02 mm. The design includes an inflatable surface, a tail, and a check valve.
You can inflate the balloon using helium or air. In the first case, you will need a special cylinder. First, the product must be straightened so that the helium smoothly fills the internal space; with a sudden flow of gas, the ball may rupture. The second method will not require any costs. To work, use a handle or tube that is inserted into the valve.
The main advantage of mylar models is that they are able to retain air inside for a long time. And those filled with gas can float for a month. In addition, they have a wide variety of shapes; they are made in the form of animal figures and fairy-tale characters. This is the perfect gift for a girl or boy who will love their favorite cartoon characters.
Depending on the material from which the ball is made and its size, the method of filling the internal volume is chosen. Experts do not recommend using helium for latex options less than 10”, and for foil versions less than 18”.
Walking balls
Among the wide variety of foil models, “adventures” can be distinguished separately. They are called “walking” conditionally, since they can move under the influence of wind or draft. They are produced in the form of various fairy-tale characters, animals, favorite characters from films or cartoons. In height they can correspond to the height of an adult; the parameter ranges from 0.5 to 2 m.
The main secret of the original products is their design; they consist of several parts, which are isolated from each other and inflated alternately. Most often, the head is filled with special helium gas, and the torso and lower limbs are filled with simple air. There are weights attached to the bottom that prevent the device from taking off. Once inside the room, they begin to live their own lives, moving around the rooms in a funny way.
They gained their popularity due to their colorful appearance, unique structure, and huge assortment. Such a gift will be the most desired for any child on his name day. This is also an excellent prop that can be used to decorate children's parties, themed parties, and puppet shows. In addition, the balloons are very practical; at the end of the celebration, they can be deflated and then used at another appropriate event.
Helium balloons
Helium balloons are suitable for both interior decoration of any premises and for outdoor celebrations. This is a simple and budget option for creating a festive atmosphere at parties, anniversaries, and festivals. They can be launched into the sky in front of a maternity hospital or at a wedding. Products attached to ribbons and rising up, soaring to the ceiling, look very attractive.
The main secret is to fill the balloon with helium, which is a colorless gas with no distinct odor. It is the second lightest element in the periodic table of chemical elements, following hydrogen. This component causes the product to rise up.
You can fill any balloon with helium, even a regular one, but you won’t be able to get the expected effect from a standard product, since it will deflate within a few hours. For these purposes, it is better to use mylar options, which are capable of retaining gas for a long time. It is also worth remembering that the larger the size of the ball, the longer it can hang in the air.
Balls for modeling
ShDM are latex models with an elongated cylindrical shape, which is why they are also called “sausages”, “sausages”, “sausages”. The English word twisting is often used to denote them. This is due to the fact that various figures can be twisted from them. There are several varieties of these elements, among which are:
- Basic (diameter x length)
- 160Q: 1”x60”;
- 260Q: 2”x60”;
- 350Q: 3”x50”;
- 646Q: 6”x46”.
- Special
- 312Q with tip (bee);
- 312Q with tail: 3”x21”.
Balls can be twisted in different ways, the main types: simple twist, with a lock, in the shape of an ear, with an inflection, in the form of a tulip (tulip twist), with a clapper, ottoman. The HDM is inflated by mouth, manually using a pump, or automatically using a compressor. The internal volume is filled with ordinary air; helium is not used for this type of balloon.
Ball with a surprise
The product is a large ball made of latex. It is a kind of packaging for various gifts. There are models with transparent and matte finish. Depending on the celebration, you can place smaller balls, soft toys, sweets, perfumes, a mobile phone, and other items inside it.
Filled with ordinary air, it can be fixed to the ceiling. If there are unbreakable elements inside, then at the most crucial moment the packaging can burst, and its contents in the form of rose petals, confetti, small balls, and other tinsel will swirl in the surrounding space, causing delight among those present.
This decoration is suitable for any event. With its help, you can create a wow effect, for example, beautifully decorate a children's party, or fill the room with sweets at the right time. It can also be useful at a corporate party, romantic dinner, anniversary, and other celebrations.
Self-inflating balloons
Self-blowing balloons are small in diameter (no more than 7”) foil products, inside of which there is a capsule with a reagent. When deflated, this design is no different from a standard balloon. To make it inflate, it is enough to crush the capsule and shake the ball a little; as a result of a chemical reaction, the internal volume will automatically fill with gas.
Such decorations are suitable for surprising guests in the middle of any celebration, when garlands of balloons begin to appear behind them. Children will also really like these models; they can be used to decorate wedding ceremonies. Some people confuse them with balloons, which are inflated with the mouth through a special tube, after which they seal themselves.
If you couldn’t find such designs, don’t be upset. You can surprise your child in another way by making a self-inflating balloon with your own hands. To bring the idea to life, you need to fill a 0.5 liter plastic bottle one third full with vinegar, add 3-4 teaspoons of baking soda and immediately put a regular ball on your throat. Under the influence of carbon dioxide and the heat generated, it will inflate on its own, then it should be tied with a thread, after which it will be able to fly for several hours.
Glowing balls
Glowing products are standard latex balls with LEDs inside. You can admire them only in complete darkness. Such structures are used for different purposes. The picture will be very spectacular if you launch them into the sky. To create a romantic setting for your bride, they can be inflated and scattered on the floor. They will decorate any celebration and give it a mysterious atmosphere.
Based on the type of glow, they are divided into flashing and continuously burning. The operating time of the diode does not exceed 24 hours; it burns brightest during the first three. In cold weather this time is reduced by almost half. Considering this fact, you should inflate them and order delivery immediately before the start of the event.
The color of the diode only matters if it is placed in a white ball that glows the same way as an LED. Colored balls themselves provide the necessary shade, so light elements are often placed in them. The pastel tone of the product gives a monochromatic bright color, metallic transmits light much worse.
What holidays can be decorated with balloons?
In every family, town, city, country and even in the world, people constantly celebrate different events and celebrations. Many approach their design very responsibly, prepare for them in advance, buy all the necessary attributes. Various objects are used for beautiful decoration, among which balls occupy a special place. These products have been popular for decades and even centuries. They can be used for decoration at the following events:
- congratulations to the mother of a newborn child;
- discharging from maternity hospital;
- graduation party in kindergarten, school, other educational institution;
- last call;
- wedding;
- name day;
- anniversary;
- calendar holidays, for example, February 23, March 8, May 1;
- romantic dates;
- corporate celebrations;
- opening of shopping centers, shops;
- any organization to attract attention;
- New Year;
- flash mobs.
Birthday decorations
Balloons will help create a festive atmosphere on your name day. With their help, you can create inexpensive decor that will delight adults and children. In this case, the age of the birthday person is not important, whether he turns one year old or 60 years old. The kids will simply rejoice, wanting to secretly burst one of the balloons located on the wall. Adults will be able to travel back to a carefree childhood and remember a time gone by forever.
In order for the holiday to be a success, you should approach its organization with all responsibility: carefully consider the table setting, create the right menu, and create a cheerful, joyful mood. For anniversaries, you can use compositions of balloons that represent numbers. Silver and gold shades will look good as the main color. Red and black items with inscriptions and wishes are also suitable.
There are different ways to decorate a room. These can be rainbows, arches, garlands, simple bundles of balloons inflated with helium. You can even make original gifts from them. Bouquets of flowers twisted from SDMM will look very interesting; any woman will rejoice at such an armful, no less than their natural counterparts. You can give a man a motorcycle, fulfilling his old dream.
Children's party decoration
Any celebration is always unique. Especially a children's holiday, which kids look forward to and dream of a small miracle. It is the balloons that will help create a magical atmosphere and make the event unforgettable. But for this you will have to imagine a little, use original, interesting ideas that will allow you to achieve the desired effect.
Thanks to the wide variety of product types and their colors, you can create any design. To do this, use numbers, stars, soccer balls, hearts, whole bouquets and combinations of balls of different shapes and appearance. As a color scheme, it is better to choose multi-colored, bright elements that evoke a lot of positive emotions.
Kids will love the walking figures of their favorite cartoon character. They will also really like various objects, animals, twisted from models for modeling. To add intrigue to a children's party, you can place a surprise ball under the ceiling; it may contain candies mixed with smaller balls, in which gifts are also hidden.
Decoration of the banquet hall
Often companies organize corporate holidays for their employees on the occasion of a significant date. With their help, many problems are solved. This helps to unite the team, express gratitude, explore corporate culture, and confirm success. For these purposes, management often rents a banquet hall that can accommodate invited guests.
Celebration decoration is a very important component of any corporate event. To decorate the premises, they resort to the services of specialists, since employees do not have free time to decorate the rented hall on their own. Companies providing such services, taking into account the importance of the event, create a strict, laconic style in which they use corporate colors, symbols, and the direction of the enterprise.
A festive arch is installed at the entrance. Inside there is a banner made of balloons, on which the corporate coat of arms or logo of the organization can be displayed. If a round date is celebrated, then numbers are used that symbolize the company's anniversary. Tables and chairs are often not decorated; walls, columns, and ceilings are sufficient for these purposes.
Wedding decoration
A wedding is an important stage in the life of every person. The spouses often remember this moment, so its design must be perfect. It is necessary to create a fabulous atmosphere. To do this, they use various decorative elements, install burning candles, turn on romantic music, hang posters, garlands, balloons, and fill the room with fresh flowers. Both professional designers and relatives are involved in decorating the hall.
The newlyweds' limousine is decorated with balloons. Using pink and white models, you can beautifully decorate the registration arch. The photo zone is decorated in accordance with the wedding theme. A corner for a photo shoot will allow you to capture important moments, provide additional entertainment for guests, and highlight the style of the room. When visiting memorable places, you can use balloons.
Compositions of balls in the form of rings and arches are very popular. Swans in the shape of a heart look original. White and pink balls under the ceiling have become almost standard. Some choose golden shades that add importance to the event. Blue - to add severity and splendor to the interior. Pink - to emphasize harmony and tenderness.
Decoration of the assembly hall in an educational institution
Various events are held in the assembly hall: competitions, quizzes, New Year's performances, concerts. The largest room available to the educational institution is allocated for them. Some types of meetings cannot do without additional decor, for example, a graduation party in kindergarten, the last bell at school.
To do this, it is advisable to use different balls. With the help of these elements you can inexpensively decorate a room, hide its shortcomings, turning them into advantages. A helium arch is often placed on the stage, numbers symbolizing the year, the name of the group or class are hung, banners are installed, and compositions are made in the form of a bell.
You can decorate it with a variety of colors. Gold, white, and red shades are often used. Balls located on the walls and in the middle of the hall may contain interesting inscriptions and a schematic representation of students. For the thematic decoration of the first of September, products in the form of school supplies are used.
Compositions and stands
A wedding, anniversary, anniversary, graduation, new product launch or other significant event requires a more substantial decoration of the hall than single balloons. Various volumetric compositions are best suited for these purposes.
Depending on the complexity of the work, as well as the final result, volumetric compositions come in 2 types:
- simple. The finished balls are strung on a special fishing line, thereby forming an arch. It can be modified to create a variety of shapes and figures;
- complex. To create them, you will need to prepare the necessary frame or support in advance. The main thing is to choose the right colors of the balls involved in modeling the composition.
To create three-dimensional figures, a hand pump or special equipment that inflates the balloons with helium can be used.
Panel
Today, not a single holiday is complete without a special photo zone. An interesting solution would be a panel of balloons. Against their background, each photo will turn out dynamic and with real live emotions.
The panel, which was decided to be decorated with balloons, can be decorated in different ways depending on the theme of the celebration. The most popular and beautiful options include:
- names of the bride and groom;
- heart;
- designer patterns;
- Company `s logo;
- fairy tale character.
In order for the picture to turn out unusual, but at the same time logically complete, the person who is photographed must pick up one or more balloons. Even after a while, looking at such photos will lift your spirits.
Arches
Most often, compositions of this type are found at weddings. Arches are installed behind the husband and wife. This will help create a festive atmosphere during the wedding celebration.
Another common reason for installing a balloon arch is the opening of a new store or other facility, such as a cafe or restaurant. The decor will emphasize the solemnity of the moment, and will also attract people’s attention to the new point.
Design ideas
With the help of aerodesign and a wide variety of balloons, you can quickly and happily create a holiday anywhere. There are many original ideas for any celebration, event, or children's party. Balloons do not have to be used for their intended purpose. They will serve as an excellent material for creating flower arrangements, beautiful arches and figures.
Ball fall and ball explosion
Fun entertainment for children and adults. The meaning lies in the sudden bursting of a huge ball suspended from the ceiling. A special safe detonator and explosive device are placed in it. At the most solemn moment, it goes off and the entire floor becomes strewn with bright balls. Many small parts of different sizes, colors and designs fly out of it.
Instead of a solid rubber ball and loud banging, you can use a simple mechanism - a mesh and a fabric lever (rope). Small balls will not scatter so spectacularly, but a smooth and long ball fall is guaranteed.
Airy floral arrangements
Beautiful sophisticated flowers and voluminous bouquets are made from special balls. This is the most popular, traditional way of decoration. Flowers can be attached individually to curtains, walls, ceilings, or collected in compositions and placed on the floor or window sill.
To create bright designs you will need balloons of different colors and diameters, a pump for inflation, and ribbons for decoration. Such bouquets will surprise and delight any gift recipient. In addition to their aesthetic qualities, mysterious daisies, beautiful roses, and colorful tulips are durable and practical. When finished, they can be transported to any distance.
Modeling: arches, garlands and figures
Large frame arches, three-dimensional figures and long garlands will be a solid decoration for large grandiose holidays. The most common idea is the movable “string of pearls” arch. The decor for the photo zone is created by simply stringing pre-tied balls onto a fishing line. A more complex design involves attaching the balls to a metal stand.
To make a simple garland you will need several dozen balloons, an inflation template, a pump and fishing line. We fill the balloons with air, place them in pairs, tail to tail, and tie them together. We fold two pairs crosswise and twist them - one of the basic elements is ready. We attach the elements to the stretched fishing line and install. Using multi-colored elements you can reflect any pattern.
Original decor, especially for children's parties - figurines made from balloons. Twisting can be done using different techniques. More often, durable long balls are used.
Where will the balls come in handy?
Street Event Design
Every person on the street has seen the entrance to a store decorated with balloons, the design of an exhibition, or the designation of the location of an event. Why is balloon decoration used in these cases? Because it attracts attention, intrigues and promises a good mood. Balloons on the street always mean people, children's laughter and a feeling of celebration. For such purposes, design techniques from:
- garlands (there are one, two and multi-color);
- large (human-sized and taller) figures of familiar characters;
- air-rubber shapes of flowers and trees.
You can also decorate events with original large bundles of balloons, as if bursting in the air into the distance towards new goals. At the end of the holiday, such bundles are often unraveled and the balls are smoothly picked up by the wind.
Balloons for interior decoration
Aerodesign of a children's party – unlimited imagination and comprehensive possibilities. Everything is here: from decorating walls and tables to a gift, a ball in the shape of an animal, a heart, a car or a flower.
A special topic is wedding decoration with balloons. These include inflatable swans, rings and, of course, wedding flowers. Special originals can create a composition for the entire hall from balloons of one or two colors, but differing in shape. Most often, white, gold, red or pink shades are chosen for this.
According to another practice, the newlyweds’ area is contrasted from the general decoration with red and is used only here, as if highlighting the “heroes” of the occasion. Wedding celebration and balloons are concepts that have long become inseparable.
The options for decorating cars for a wedding are also extraordinary: an arch around the perimeter of the windshield or an appropriately made souvenir on the roof.
Ideas are interesting when thinking about decorating the bride’s room, access roads to the house or the place of exit registration. In this case, compositions of signs, colorful signs and places for guests to stay made up of balloons look very romantic.
Balls of colored threads - how to make and design tips
Textile web balls are an excellent analogue to air elements. They are made by wrapping molds with glue-impregnated threads. You can get the first blank after 10-15 minutes. The work will take place in several stages:
- Choosing a base. Thin rubber balls of any diameter are suitable;
- Preparing the base. In order for the ball to easily slip out of the glued mold, it must be coated with cream, butter or any fat-containing composition;
- Winding threads. We wet the yarn in PVA glue and wrap the ball;
- Drying. We hang the product, let it dry for 2 days, you can use a hairdryer;
- We take out the base and decorate. We make a puncture in the ball, let out the air and pull it through the gap.
Multi-colored spider web balls can be used as Christmas tree decorations, single ceiling decorations, or create original compositions from several crafts. You can make a big snowman, figurines of various animals.
How to decorate a room with helium balloons
There are, of course, much more opportunities here. I again excluded all complex shapes from balls that require special skills in making.
Foil balloons last the longest. They are expensive, but they also stay in the air for several weeks. You can choose inflatable figures based on the theme of the holiday, and there’s nothing else to do.
Helium balloons can be released into free flight under the ceiling:
Tie into bundles and place a “bouquet” with a weighting agent in the center of the table or tie to a cord to form an arch:
Balloon design colors
The color scheme is a series of interconnected shades that complement each other. When decorating a room with balloons, different points are taken into account. First of all, take into account the general style of the interior. The influence of color on the human psyche is also considered. Different shades evoke certain emotions. For example, red encourages active, aggressive actions, blue has a calming effect.
Decorating events with aerial products is an art. Thanks to the wide variety of palettes, you can beautifully decorate a banquet, assembly hall, apartment, house in which various celebrations will be held. Experienced designers can create a romantic atmosphere by playing with shades of the same color.
When decorating a room where there is no single background, you can use contrasting colors. Where there is a bright tone, shades are chosen very carefully and the color wheel is taken into account. In this case, the background of the room is taken as a basis, two colors opposite it are used to create a composition. This is the only way to achieve high-quality, tasteful decoration.