Party Planning
- Balloon Decorating Tips -
Balloon Arches
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Airblown Decorations
Inflatable Decorations
Inflatable Instruments
Inflatable Sports Items
Inflatable Novelties
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Make a Balloon Arch
Types of Arches:
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Single balloons tied to arch
support.
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Single balloons with curling
ribbon streamers.
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Single balloons with shaped
balloons repeated across arch.
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Two colored arch
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3 colored arch
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4 colored arch
Balloon Arch Tips:
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Air filled
balloon columns can be attached to a
weight, a plastic ziplock bag half filled with sand, pebbled,
rice or beans.
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Attach helium
filled balloons to a nylon string, tying only one end down.
- For an elegant look, use two 4'
air filled
balloon columns as bases for a helium balloon arch.
- To dress up the arch even more, wrap
gossamer or tulle around the columns and puddle it on the floor beside the columns. Coordinate your balloons, gossamer
or tulle in matching or complimentary colors.
- A balloon arch makes a lovely photo setting.
Balloon Arch Instructions:
The first step in making an arch is deciding what kind you want
to make. There are two basic types: air filled and helium
filled, both of which have advantages and disadvantages.
Helium arches are great for filling large spaces and
require less support. Helium arches are made by attaching
clusters of balloons to a nylon line that is tied down to either
ground supports (railings, tables, etc.) or heavy weights
(cinder blocks, bricks, rocks, bags of sand, etc.) The helium
holds the balloons up, so all you need is the balloons, helium,
heavy nylon thread, and something to tie the ends to. However,
helium is more expensive than air and will only float the arch
for about 10 to 12 hours. Add a squirt of
Hi Float Liquid before filling balloons with helium to make them stay
inflated 3 to 5 times longer.
Air filled arches are made by attaching clusters of
balloons to a frame made out of aluminum or plastic rod,
conduit, PVC pipe or a combination of these. They will last for
days or even months (depending on conditions) but require either
a sturdy base or a handy wall or ceiling to wire the arch to for
support. Air pumps are inexpensive to rent for one time uses and
fairly affordable to purchase if you are planning to make
ballooning a career.
Color:
Single color arches are easiest to make, but two or more colors
in spiral patterns are not much more difficult. The size of your
arch will largely determine the size of the balloons that are
necessary. For a small arch, the balloons do not need to be
inflated all the way; the larger the arch gets, the bigger the
balloons should be.
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Sizing Balloons:
.How many balloons?
The number of balloons needed will depend on the size of the
arch or design, but you will need approximately four to six
balloons per foot of frame.
Determine the approximate length of the balloon arch
When deciding on the size of your balloon arch, measure the
height and width of the area where it will be displayed. To
estimate the approximate length of the arch, use the following
calculations.
1. For an arch that is taller than it is wide: (2 x Height) +
Width = approximate total length.
2. For an arch with the same height and width: (1.5 x Height) +
Width = approximate total length.
3. To make an arch that is wider than it is tall: Width + Height
= approximate total length Balloon Clusters:
 Both types of arches
require tying the balloons into clusters of three to
five balloons (most commonly four) so lets start with
that.
 Making four-balloon clusters:
1.Blow up two balloons and tie the necks of them together, sealing
the balloons and attaching them together at the same time.
2. Do this again to make a second pair of balloons, and then
simply cross the two pairs in the middle and twist them together
to make a cluster of four..
Making Spiral Patterns:
To create a spiral pattern, make each cluster in the same
color order and nest them in the same direction.
- Two color: use two of each color balloon in each
cluster.
- Three color: use one each of two colors, and two of
the third (remember when buying your balloons that you will
need twice as many of the third color.)
- Four color: use one of each color in each cluster.
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Attaching the Balloon
Clusters:
Set up the frame for your balloon arch.
For Air Filled Arches. . .
Air-filled balloon arches require a sturdy frame. A strong,
flexible material such as conduit, PVC pipe, and aluminum or
plastic rod will work well. For additional support, you'll need
to wire the arch to the wall or ceiling, and/or find a sturdy
base to anchor the frame at the bottom.
For air-filled arches, set up the frame in its permanent
location, if possible. If not, lay the frame flat so that
balloons can be easily attached. Note: If using an aluminum rod frame, the
balloons can be attached before shaping the rod into an arch.
Making A Frame
Make a frame for your arch using a heavy base with conduit for
the main support and aluminum rod for the arch across the top
(you can rent these). This works fine for smaller freestanding
arches (about 8 feet high and 6 to 8 feet wide), but larger
arches will require support from above. Aluminum rod by itself
can also be used as a frame but does require support at the base
and from above. This works well for arches over doorways and
against walls, as the rod can be tied to tacks or nails in the
wall or doorway (if you are renting a space for your event check
with management before putting holes in their walls.)
Attaching the clusters of balloons is a simple matter of placing
the cluster on the rod and twisting two balloons around each
other, locking the cluster on the rod. Slide the clusters up
against each other, nesting them together.
TIP: If you are using the aluminum rod by itself, the
balloons can be placed on the rod before shaping it into an arch
and tying it down.
For Helium Arches. . .
If you choose to fill your balloons with helium, the gas will
hold the balloons up without additional support; all you'll need
is heavy nylon thread (fishing line) or twine to tie the
balloons together, and two ground supports to tether down each
end of the line.
If using helium, the first thing to do is to stretch out your
monofilament line (nylon fishing line) and secure each end to a
heavy object (2 chairs) so that it is about waist high. Do not
cut the string to the length you need just yet, it is easiest to
adjust the length of the arch while making it and then tie it
off and cut the string. Leave plenty of extra thread at each
end, so it will be easier to move and tie down the arch in its
permanent location later.
For indoor decorations, 50-lb. monofilament is recommended , and
outdoor designs should be made with 100-lb. monofilament.
Attach the clusters as you make them by making a space between
two side-by-side balloons and setting the cluster in place and
wrapping the string around one of the balloons. Attach each
cluster in the same way, nesting the clusters close together
before wrapping the string around.
NOTE: To make assembly easier, mount the first cluster
against a flat surface, such as a large piece of cardboard
attached to the line, so that the subsequent cluster will
"nest" easily into it. When placing following clusters
on the line, do not slide balloon clusters along the line as
balloons may tear slightly, causing leakage or breakage. Pay
special attention to the position of each cluster mounted onto
line, as this is how patterns are created.
Other types of balloon
decoration
Shapes ( hearts,
numbers, etc )
Create a frame from aluminum rod in the shape desired and attach
air filled balloon clusters.
Plastic Balloon Inflator
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Latex and Mylar balloons come
together to form this amazing arch. 10' high x 10' wide
(depending on placement). Arch is a patriotic decoration for any
event! Assembly and helium required
Patriotic Balloon Arch
This Hollywood Balloon Arch mades a
great entrance for your party guests. The arch includes silver
and black balloons and cardboard columns with silver film strip
accents. The Hollywood Balloon arch is 9' high x 4' wide when
the balloons are inflated with helium. Assembly required.
Lighted Hollywood Camera no longer available.
Hollywood Balloon Arch
This 8' wide, 10' high arch is the
coolest photo setting for your sock hop! The striped straws and
silver corrugated mugs tempt you to taste the frosty "soda" made
of pink and white balloons. Assembly required.
Soda Arch
This Candy Heart Balloon Arch makes
an adorable entrance or photo background for a Valentines' Day
party. The columns of this arch are made of sturdy cardboard and
are 5' 8" high x 2' 9" wide. Lavender, pink and white balloons
complete the Candy Heart Arch. Assembly required.
Candy Heart Arch
Cardboard and mylar arch is 9' high
x 5' wide. Assembly and helium required.
Stars And Stripes Balloon Arch
Dollar Sign Balloon Arch Hit the
jackpot when you display the 8 1/2' high x 7' wide corrugated
and cardboard arch at your Casino party. During the party, pose
for photos in front of the arch and create fun mementos!
Assembly required.
Dollar Sign Balloon Arch
Airblown Tiki Hut Archway Create an awesome
entrance to your Luau in an instant! This 9' high, fade-resistant nylon
archway inflates in seconds and includes lights for evening parties.
Airblown Tiki Hut Archway
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