Introduction
Whatever what the type of campaign, the use of balloons brings colour and decoration to the venue or room. Whether it is a special event, such as a birthday celebration, wedding anniversary, corporate event or product launch, the addition of balloons will make an impact. The party hosts or organisers of the event may wish to create a wow factor for the guests attending. There are so many different functions and organisers want to create that wow factor to ensure that it is their event that is to be remembered. There are other ‘wow’ ideas such as ice sculptures or huge displays of flowers or drapes of fabric, all of which create an impression that the guests will remember. To really make an impression, one novel idea is to create a Balloon Arch or Balloon sculpture. Balloons, in their various bright colours can be used to form decorative and impressive looking displays. The eye-catching displays will make an terrific impact at any event. Balloon arches will compliment many events, whether it is a birthday, wedding, dinner or a special celebration.
I am actually involved in a junior football club and at the end of each season, the Club hosts a presentation event for all the players who range from 7 years of age through to 18, and their parents. The club colours are blue and white and we have decked out the venue with blue and white balloons in the past to great effect.
Most of us, myself included will blow up the token dozen or so balloons for my own children’s birthday parties at home. Well, it is only the family coming round after all! So, unless you really have the knack for creating balloon arches or sculptures, and let’s be honest many of us do not, it would make sense to employ a company is capable of creating a balloon arch or sculpture. Professional balloon decorators can be engaged to create an eye catching arch. The decorators will from experience have an eye in selecting the right choice of colour or combination of colours to create a stunning effect. The huge selection of many balloon colours means that the colour coordination options are endless. Balloons area available in basic colours, with pearl shine or metallic finishes, which when put together creatively, will complement any venue, decor or room you have chosen.
The big advantage of using professional balloon party decorators of course is that they almost instinctively know how to build a balloon arch. It is important to measure the precise amount of helium to be used in each balloon to achieve the perfect size for the desired results. Electronic monitoring equipment is used to achieve the correct levels of helium. Too much and all the balloons would drift off to the ceiling.You will often notice balloons wedged against the ceiling or drifting off into the sky. This is because they have been inflated with helium which is lighter than air.
So you want to become a balloon sculptor to create a balloon arch for your own party?
Well it’s not as difficult as you may think. Like anything, as long you buy the right materials, have a little patience and perhaps an eye for creativity, then by following some step by step instructions, you have every chance of making a successful balloon arch. So, here we go. How to create a Balloon Arch.
What Materials do I Need?
A number of Latex Balloons. How many exactly will depend on the size of the arch required, Nylon Line, similar to that used as fishing line. Two weights to hold the balloons down, a Balloon Sizer to measure the size of each balloon, Curling Ribbon for the finishing touches, and a Helium canister to blow the balloons up. No, you don’t have to blow each balloon up with your ow breath!
Step 1
Start by calculating the length of nylon line required using the formula below. Cut the line to the actual, length required.
- Formula to calculate the Arch length. 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
Step 2
Tie both ends to something heavy such as the back of a chair to hold the line in position while you work.
Step 3
Fill the balloons with helium. Use the balloon sizer to ensure that the balloons are a consistent size. If you don’t have a balloon sizer, cut out a circular template using cardboard.
Step 4
Secure the balloons on to the line. For consistency make sure that you always approach the line from the same side.
Step 5
Allow a space of approximately 12″ between each balloon. Once the balloons are tied on, they can be gently positioned to start to form the shape you want and it will be secure on the line.
Step 6
When all the balloons have been tied on to the line, release the ends of the line from where or what you tied it to. To hold the arch in place, fix a suitable weight to either end of the arch. There are decorative weights available or wrap a heavy rock in foil for decoration. It may be helpful to have another pair of hands to help at this point.
Step 7
Now add any accessories to decorate the arch such as tinsel or curling ribbon which can be allowed to drape across the balloons or hang down.
And, that’s all there is to it. It does sound easy and it is. If you are creating a balloon arch for the first time, allow yourself a little time to build the arch. I wouldn’t have my first attempt ten minutes before the guests arrive.
The only way to inflate helium balloons is to use a helium canister or tank and balloon valve kit, depending on how many balloons you have, it can save you hours.
Why should I use Helium Balloons?
Balloons that are filled with helium gas are lighter than air. This means that the balloons will float upwards. How often do you see balloons from a party or event stuck to the ceiling? Or at the fairground, when a parent has spent £3.00 or so on a childrens favourite balloon and the child lets the balloon drift up to the sky?
Good quality balloons and those used by professional balloon decorators are made from 100% biodegradable latex. This type of balloon is often larger in size than those bought in most retail outlets. Latex balloons filled with helium typically only retain their buoyancy for a few hours. The reason being that, the helium atoms inside the balloon are smaller in size than the pores in the balloons latex body and therefore the helium atoms escape. Should you want to increase the bouyancy of helium balloons for up to a week, the inside of the balloons will need to be coated with a special polymer solution to slow down the leakage of the helium.
Safety and Environmental Concerns
When you see a balloon drifting off into the distant sky, how often have you wondered how far that balloon will travel? Well, once released into the atmosphere, helium filled balloons will usually travel quite a long way before they finally burst or deflate. It is estimated that around 90/95% of balloons released will rise to an altitude of approxiamately 5 miles. At this height the dramatic fall in temperature causes the balloon to shatter into tiny fragments which will float gently back to earth where they will degrade into the ground. Hence the reason that balloons are made from biodegradable latex. The latex used to make balloons comes from the Hevea tree or rubber tree. So balloons are completely biodegradable and to colour the latex non-toxic dyes are used. Through research it has been proven that latex balloons degrade faster than leaves from oak trees. Oxidation occurs in the breakdown of latex and starts almost as soon as the balloon is inflated. As the balloon decays by natural exposure the nutrients contained in the latex are dispersed into the soil. Most rubber tree plantations are in South and South East Asia.
Balloon Sculptures and Arches
Hundreds of balloons may be required for sculptures and arches. It is important to identify the space available and then calculate what is required. The height and width of the structure will be determined by the space available. Some professional balloon decorators have attempted some very ambitious balloon sculptures. Some of the balloon sculptures you may also be familiar with are the creation of animals from long thin balloons. These are particularly entertaining at children’s parties.
Balloon arches will create a lasting impression at any event. A simple single row of colourful pearl latex balloons with complementary ribbons is often the most popular choice of structure. This type of display is popular at wedding receptions and is often designed as a focal point for the couple to pass through. The single row display can be used to create a frame to outline other displays or as a photographic point.
Alternatively, this design style can be used simply to enhance a feature at the venue. To hold the arch in place, why not design a hand-made weight covered by a bow to hold the arch in place. Balloon arches don’t always have to be of a large design. A simple table decoration at special events made using smaller balloons can be just as effective. If there is a concrete pillar at the entrance to the venue, why not wrap a line of balloons around the pillar to add colour to the entrance?When hosting a large number of people, employ someone who can use balloons to design helium gas releases for professional large events.
Conclusion
Balloon arches will create a very effective and eye catching focal point at all celebrations. The choices of balloon colours and finishing effects is realy extensive, metallic balloons and therefore the design and style of a balloon arch can be achieved without the need to spend a lot of money. If you can create the arch yourself, it will just require you to purchase the materials to create the effect you desire, and invest a bit of your time. Balloon arches are a colourful alternative to flower displays or drapes and in most cases will be much les costly in providing a centre piece at an event. Can you image how much the equivalent size floral display would cost?! Whatever your celebration, a balloon arch will give a lasting impression and reminder of your event , whether it is a birthday, anniversary celebration, product launch, fund raising event or corporate presentation, your guests will be sure to leave with a memory of a colourful and decorative display of balloons.
