Balloon Basics Guide

PACKAGED FOIL BALLOONS Many standard balloon (17"/18") designs are individually pre-packaged. Packaged balloons can be displayed on a stationary or rotating rack. This form of merchandising offers your customers an interactive shopping experience. INFLATION IN HIGH ALTITUDES Some foil balloons will not float in high altitudes. If you work in a high altitude location, please consider the following when ordering foil balloons: Š Balloons that are 21" or larger are more likely than standard balloons (17"/18") to float in high altitudes. Š Standard balloons that have detailed designs use more ink, which may cause the balloon to be heavier and less likely to float at high altitudes. This is also true for two-sided standard balloons. Š Standard, round balloons generally float better than balloons in other shapes, such as hearts or stars. Š Weights and ribbons attached to balloons can affect their floatability in high altitudes. PROPER DISPOSAL Encourage customers to properly dispose of foil balloons by cutting them open to release helium and then discarding them in a trash container. Unlike latex balloons, foil balloons are not biodegradable. Never release foil balloons into the atmosphere.

BALLOON WEIGHTS Every helium balloon distributed should have a weight attached. If a balloon arrangement is sold, each individual balloon should have a weight. Balloon weights are available in a multitude of sizes, shapes, styles, and colors. Upsell your existing gift inventory with anything heavy enough to substitute as a balloon weight: baskets, mugs, and plush make excellent weights and allow you to boost your sales. Altitude, atmospheric conditions, and other weather-related factors can affect the number of balloons that any given weight can anchor.

42401 24 Peg Counter Spinner

FLOAT TIMES FOR HELIUM-FILLED BALLOONS

Balloon Type Float Time

18" Clearly b + B ® Plastic

5 days

14750 Balloon Weight Asst.

17"/18" Foil

3–4 weeks

26" Foil

3–4 weeks

9749871 Balloon Weights

36" Foil

Several months

TIME SAVERS + AHA! moments

Š Before inflating a self-sealing foil balloon, tie a balloon weight to one end of a ribbon and attach the other end of the ribbon to the balloon. It is important that the ribbon be tied below the seal-sealing valve of the foil balloon. Attaching ribbon above the valve can cause a leak. By attaching the ribbon and weight first, time is saved and balloons will not escape if accidentally released after inflation. Š Never use a heat sealer on a self-sealing balloon. It can damage the self-sealing valve.

931633 Curling Ribbon

931602 Curling Ribbon

5

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