Balloon Playbook 2023

2023 Balloon Playbook

Table of Contents

Balloon Inflation Tips • Latex Inflation

Pg. 3–4

• HI-FLOAT® • Foil Inflation

Pg. 5 Pg. 6 Pg. 7

• Specialty Inflation

Merchandising • Standards

Pg. 8 Pg. 9

• Card Aisle • Registers

Pg. 10–11 Pg. 12–14

• Bakery

Helium Safety & Precautions • Regulators

Pg. 15 Pg. 16

• O-Ring

• Safety and Precautions

Pg. 17–18

Balloon Weights

Pg. 19

Education

Pg. 20

11-30-22 JAT

Balloon Inflation - Latex

How do you inflate LATEX balloons with helium?

LATEX BALLOON VALVE

• Use the plastic push tip valve (usually black) of a helium regulator to inflate LATEX balloons. • This will allow you to fill the balloon until it is

completely full without it automatically shutting off.

1. Place the balloon on the plastic push tip valve. 2. Press the valve forward or backward until you hear helium begin to fill the balloon (It helps to hold on to it with your other hand to keep the balloon upright). 3. Let up on the valve when the balloon has reached the ideal size. 4. You don’t want to overfill it, otherwise it may pop. Remove from the valve and pinch the opening.

3

Balloon Inflation - Latex

How do you tie a LATEX balloon? LATEX BALLOONS can be sealed by hand-tying or by using balloon clips or sealing discs. • Hand-tying is the most popular and preferred method, since it has the tightest seal and gives a finished look to the balloon. • If you have a large # of latex balloons to inflate, using sealing discs or clips is a smart option.

HAND-TIE

1. Pinch the top of the tail of the balloon to keep helium from leaking & pull on the tail of the balloon. 2. Tie the end of the balloon in a simple knot. 3. Attach the curling ribbon below the knot.

BALLOON CLIP

1. Pinch the top of the tail of the balloon and twist it two times. 2. Insert your balloon clip directly over and behind the area where you twisted the balloon in step 1. 3. Snap the clip closed 4. Attach curling ribbon BELOW the clip.

SEALING DISC

4 1. Pinch the top of the balloon tail and pull it out so you have space to insert the disc. 2. Insert the disc onto the tail and pull and twist it around the disc so you are pulling the end of the tail back through the slot you initially inserted onto the balloon. 3. Attach curling ribbon BELOW the disc.

4

Balloon Inflation - Latex

Using ULTRAHI-FLOAT® increases float time of LATEX balloons.

• ULTRA HI-FLOAT ® is a non-toxic sealant that can be used inside LATEX balloons to increase float time. • ULTRA HI-FLOAT ® multiplies the float time by 25 times the norm. • ULTRA HI-FLOAT ® dries crystal clear

and forms a barrier that

retains the helium inside the balloon.

• DO NOT use inside a FOIL balloon

Avg. Flying Time Helium and ULTRA HI-FLOAT®

# Strokes of ULTRA Hi-FLOAT®

Avg. Flying Time Helium Only

Size 11” 11” 16”

Type

STANDARD COLORS

1 STROKE - ORANGE CLIP 1 STROKE - ORANGE CLIP 2 STROKES - GREY CLIP

12-24 HRS 12-24 HRS

1-4 WEEKS 1-3 WEEKS 3-7 WEEKS

METALLIC

STANDARD

30+ HRS

3’

GIANT

3 STROKES - NO CLIP NEEDED

3-5 DAYS

6-20 WEEKS

5

Balloon Inflation - Foil

How do you inflate FOIL balloons with helium?

1. Place the balloon on the automatic speed tip valve of the helium regulator. Using this will automatically stop filling with helium when the balloon is fully inflated. 2. Insert the speed tip valve into the inflation point on the balloon and push down. Helium will begin to flow into the balloon. When the balloon is full the automatic shutoff valve will cut off the helium. 3. Securely tie a length of curling ribbon to the balloon BELOW the inflation point. Don’t forget to attach a balloon weight.

FOIL BALLOON VALVE

• The majority of 17–18" and larger sized FOIL balloons manufactured today have self sealing valves. As soon as a balloon is filled with helium and removed from the regulator, the self-sealing valve automatically closes. • If you are attaching curling ribbon with a clip weight, remember to attach the curling ribbon BELOW the inflation point, so the balloon can be re-inflated, if necessary. • To apply a Reel Weight™, attach the tape to the side opposite of the balloon inflation point. No tying necessary.

Self-sealing valve

Attach curling ribbon here

6

Balloon Inflation - Specialty

7

Merchandising Standards

Card Aisle: • Coordinate balloons to match the messages on the cards directly below and surrounding the display. • It is best to use balloons that have a message associated with them in the card aisle. Front Registers: • Non-message balloons, especially CHARACTERS, tend to sell better at the front registers. Message balloons, unless holiday/season specific, belong on the Card Aisle. • Merchandise balloons for your local NFL, MLB, etc. teams during applicable seasons. • Incorporate holiday/seasonal balloons on 1–2 registers only. Bakery Department: • Character balloons, message or non-message, will merchandise the best near the cake book and cake counter. However, if you have a character theme in the bakery, be sure to include the appropriate balloons in that area as well. • Holiday/Seasonal balloons should be merchandised where appropriate. Important: • Refer to the quarterly Playbook Supplement for suggestions on merchandising in each location. • You should freshen balloons at least once a week and be sure to keep ALL your displays FULL. If you don’t have product on display it certainly decreases its chance of selling. • Reel Weights™ and Reel Weight™ Inserts make it easy for you to merchandise helium-filled balloons on your displays.

8

Merchandising – Card Aisle

Objective: • Coordinate balloons with greeting cards. • Balloons should be arranged in an organized and coordinated manner. • Creates a much cleaner and organized look for the card aisle. • Provides EASY & REACHABLE access to balloons for your customers.

STEP 2 Insert Coordinating 9-14” air-filled balloons. HINT: Use 12” sticks so the displays are more compact and full (this may require cutting the sticks).

STEP 1 Attach 1 –Air-filled Tube Display (703) to the top section of the card aisle. Make sure it is completely attached and straight. Be sure to place it high enough so the balloons will not obstruct the cards.

Reminders + Tips: • The distance between the displays will vary based on the length of your card aisle(s). • The goal is to have them evenly spaced and merchandised. • Clearly price each balloon with the correct UPC/Retail sticker. • Freshen balloons DAILY and keep displays FULL .

9

STEP 1 Place 2 –Magnetic Rails (16180) next to each other, but be sure to space them apart so the balloons have room to float. Merchandising – Registers

Objective: • Offer customers the best-selling balloon licenses, themes, and/or current movies while maximizing impulse purchases. • Balloons are arranged in an organized and coordinated manner. • Provide EASY & REACHABLE access to balloons for your customers.

STEP 2 Attach 4 –Standard size balloons of the same design or varying designs, with a Reel Weight™, one at a time and only 2 per display. DO NOT unwind the ribbon. Be sure to group the balloons by balloon design.

Reminders + Tips: •

Always utilize Reel Weights™ and Reel Weights™ inserts so you can adjust ribbon length accordingly. Clearly price each balloon with the correct UPC/Retail sticker. Freshen balloons DAILY and keep displays FULL .

•

Fully assembled display

•

10

10

Merchandising – Registers

Ranking order of importance

1

2

3 4

1

2

3

4

5 6

Merchandise TRENDS/HOT ITEMS, HOLIDAY, SEASONAL,

Merchandise the most popular NON-MESSAGE CHARACTER balloons. Give even coverage for boys & girls characters.

or MOVIE balloons.

(Register merchandising suggestions are available in the playbook supplement).

For stores with fewer registers, focus on the ranking shown above each balloon. This will allow you to focus on the most important suggestions.

11

Merchandising – Bakery Tables

Objective: • Coordinate balloons to match cake décor and/or holiday themes. • Balloons are arranged in an organized and coordinated manner.

STEP 2 Place Halo Display (16444) in the middle of a Bakery table. Make sure it is evenly surrounded by the baked goods on display.

STEP 1 Assemble Halo Display (16444). This rack will adjust in height, so depending on how big your display is, you may need to raise or lower the halo.

• Provide EASY & REACHABLE access to balloons for your customers.

STEPS 3–4

Attach 5– standard size balloons of the same design, with a Reel Weight™, one at a time. DO NOT unwind the ribbon. Make sure the standard balloons COORDINATE with the specialty shape balloon you placed from step 2.

Attach 1– specialty shape w/ a Reel Weight™ & Reel Weight™ Insert attached. Unwind 18” or until there is enough space for the standard balloons that will be placed below .

Fully assembled display

Reminders + Tips: •

Always utilize Reel Weights™ and Reel Weights™ inserts so you can adjust ribbon length accordingly.

•

Clearly price each balloon with the correct UPC/Retail sticker.

• Freshen balloons DAILY and keep displays FULL .

12

12

Merchandising – Bakery Cooler

Objective: • Offer customers the best-selling balloon licenses, themes, and/or current movies while maximizing impulse purchases. • Balloons are arranged in an organized and coordinated manner. • Provide EASY & REACHABLE access to balloons for your customers.

STEP 1 Attach 2–Magnetic Rails (16180) as shown, be sure to space them apart so the balloons have room to float.

STEP 2 Attach 4 –standard size balloons of the same design or varying designs, with a a Reel Weight™ , one at a time and only TWO per display. DO NOT unwind the ribbon. Be sure to group the balloons by balloon design.

Reminders + Tips: •

Always utilize Reel Weights™ and Reel Weights™ inserts so you can adjust ribbon length accordingly. Clearly price each balloon with the correct UPC/Retail sticker. Freshen balloons DAILY and keep displays FULL . You may also use a Magnetic Tube Display (16443) to display 9–14” air filled balloons on the side of a bakery cooler. HINT : Use 12” sticks so the displays are more compact and full (this may require cutting the sticks).

•

•

•

Fully assembled display

13

Objective: • Offer customers the best-selling balloon licenses, themes, and/or current movies while maximizing impulse purchases. • Placing near the bakery cake book is a perfect way to drive add-on purchases. Merchandising–BakeryCooler/Counter

• Balloons are arranged in an organized and coordinated manner. • Provide EASY & REACHABLE access to balloons for your customers.

STEP 1 Assemble and place a Standing Tube Display (16446) for AIR-FILLED balloons. on a sturdy and flat surface. This display is free standing and does not require a magnet or brace.

Reminders + Tips: •

It is easier if you insert the stick balloons from the top and work your way down to the bottom tubes of the display. Use 12” sticks to the displays are more compact and full (this may require cutting the sticks).

STEP 2 Insert coordinating 9-14” air-filled balloons.

•

• Clearly price each balloon with the correct UPC/Retail sticker. • Freshen balloons DAILY and keep displays FULL .

14

Helium– Regulator Installation

Insert the threaded end of the regulator into the side opening of the tank and hand-tighten the connection. DO NOT use a wrench to tighten as it will cause damage to the O-ring seal.

Make sure your helium tank is secure and remove the cap from the helium tank.

Turn on the helium tank. If a leaking sound occurs, turn off the tank, release pressure from the regulator by depressing the push valve, and retighten the regulator again.

Check the gauge for pressure and tank levels. Re-order helium when the gauge registers in the yellow zone.

NOTE: It is not necessary to turn off your tank after each use, but be sure to turn off the tank at the end of each day.

15

Helium– O-Ring

• The O-ring (Item #W6150) is a small rubber ring that fits tightly around the threaded end of the regulator (See illustration) . • It is necessary to have an intact O-ring because it serves as the seal between the regulator and the helium tank. • A damaged O-ring may cause helium to leak from your tank and also may effect the pressure of the helium when you inflate balloons. • You may be tempted to replace the entire regulator if you have a helium leak. However, it may be just the O-ring that needs to be replaced. It is a lot less expensive to replace the O-ring than the regulator itself!

O-Ring

Item#: W6150

• A good rule of thumb is to check your O-ring each time you replace your helium tank. You already have to remove the regulator, so just run your finger over the O-ring before you place it on the new helium tank. If you feel anything other than a smooth surface, it is time to replace it.

Examples of damaged O-rings

Replacing the O-Ring: 1. Turn off the helium tank and remove the regulator. 2. Dislodge the existing O-ring from the end of the regulator by rolling it off with your fingers. If you are unable to remove it this way, use scissors to cut it loose. 3. Roll on the new O-ring with your fingers. 4. Re-install the regulator with the new O-ring in place.

16

Helium– Safety + Precautions

• Balloons filled with helium are sensitive to hot and cold temperatures and will expand or contract in extreme temperatures. • As an example, a balloon inflated in a warm room and taken outside to very cold conditions will seem to lose helium. • When the balloon is returned to indoor temperatures the balloon should return to its original state. • The opposite is true in hot weather conditions.

CAUTION Just so you know

• Helium is stored in highly pressurized cylinders ranging from 1,800–2,400 pounds per square inch (PSI). • A ruptured helium cylinder can be compared to a missile or the equivalent of two pounds of TNT. • Never use metallic ribbon on helium-filled or latex balloons. If accidentally released into the air, the ribbon could cause electrical failure if caught in power lines. • Every helium-filled balloon should have a balloon weight attached.

PROPER STORAGE Safety First

17

Helium– Safety + Precautions

Always: • Close the cylinder valve after each use and when the cylinder is empty. • Store cylinders of helium in an upright position. • Chain cylinder to a wall or place in a secured safety stand at all times. • Close the valve, remove the regulator, and replace the valve cap before moving. • Use a hand truck that secures the cylinder with a chain when moving an empty or full cylinder to the backroom.

Do Not: • Inhale Helium. Helium is a relatively safe gas, but direct inhalation can cause dizziness, fainting, suffocation, and possibly death. • Leave helium cylinders unattended in a public area. • Open the cylinder valve before attaching a regulator to it. • Use a damaged cylinder or regulator.

18

BalloonWeights – Quick Guide

19

Educational Videos

Scan the QR code below and it will take you to the burton + BURTON® Education Center. Here you will find an extensive list of helpful tips, videos, tutorials, etc. to help further your balloon knowledge!

20