Foil balloons differ from latex balloons in many ways. They’re made from a material that makes them more resistant to damage. They can be inflated with air or helium and come in a huge variety of shapes and designs. They’re a popular decoration for social events and festivals.
Inflating foil balloons with air or helium requires the right tools and a bit of skill, but with practice it can become fun. Let’s look more closely at the process of inflating foil balloons using both methods and discuss their advantages.
Foil balloons: Air or helium?
Choosing between inflating foil balloons with helium or air affects their durability, but also depends on your intended use.
Can you inflate foil balloons with air?
Foil balloons are made of an airtight material, so you can inflate them with air or fill them with helium. Foil balloons filled with air won’t float, but they make beautiful decorations. Helium is lighter than air and lets the balloon float.
How to inflate foil balloons with air?
Foil balloons can be inflated with ordinary air using a balloon pump or your own breath.
- Open the foil balloon package.
- Gently stretch the balloon to remove creases.
- If you have several balloons, consider an electric pump. Insert the tip of a hand or electric pump, or a straw, into the balloon’s opening.
- Start blowing air into the foil balloon.
- Stop when the balloon reaches the desired size. You can press gently to check its firmness and shape.
- After inflating, tie the mouth or secure it with ribbon or clips so air doesn’t escape.
How to inflate foil balloons with helium?
It is best to use helium to let balloons float freely. To fill with helium you’ll need a helium tank and an inflating nozzle.
- Open the balloon packaging and prepare it for inflation. Make sure the balloon is intact and has no holes.
- Connect the nozzle to the helium tank. Make sure it fits tightly.
- Insert the nozzle a few centimeters into the narrow end of the balloon.
- Slowly open the valve on the tank or use spray helium.
- Stop inflating when the balloon reaches the desired size. You can press gently to check its flexibility.
- After inflation, tie the opening or secure it with a ribbon or clip.
It’s important to follow all safety guidelines with helium. Remember: a balloon inflated with helium will float.
Which helium tank is best for foil balloons?
Choose a helium tank with a capacity suited to the number of balloons you plan to inflate. Look for capacity, usually shown in cubic meters (m³).
Helium tanks on the market typically have capacities: 0.25 m³, 0.42 m³, 0.82 m³, 1.4 m³, 2.2 m³, etc. Even small tanks can inflate 30–50 balloons. For just a few, spray helium is enough. For more, use a refillable tank.
Check if the tank has suitable valves and nozzles for balloon inflation. See if there are exchange services for tanks in your area.
How many balloons can you inflate per tank?
The number of balloons depends on their size and the tank’s capacity. Note that different foil balloon sizes use different amounts of helium.
A standard 0.25 m³ helium tank can inflate about 30–40 foil balloons of 45 cm diameter, or 50–60 balloons of 30 cm.
How long does a helium balloon last? Can you extend this?
How long a foil helium balloon floats varies according to balloon quality, helium amount, temperature, and damage.
Typically, foil balloons filled with helium last several days, from 3 to 7. To extend this, avoid extremes in temperature. High temperature expands helium inside, low temperature contracts it. Extremes shorten float time.
Always inflate according to manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t overinflate or underfill.
Foil balloon on a stick—how to tie?
After inflating foil balloons with helium, finish by tying them on a stick, especially if it’s not self-sealing.
- Inflate the foil balloon with air or helium until the desired size. Don’t overinflate as it can burst.
- Gently pull the balloon’s neck and tie a knot around your index finger. Make sure the knot is tight and air-tight.
- Get a stick to hold the balloon.
- Thread the stick through the hole while holding the knot, until the balloon is securely fixed.
- Once fixed on the stick, make sure the knot is secure. You can add tape or ribbon for extra hold.
Summary
With air or helium inflation, you can enjoy long-lasting decorations for birthdays, business events, bachelorette parties, or festivals. Balloons create stunning décor and bring lots of joy, especially for the youngest partygoers.
See the offer of balloons at specialist company LogoNaBalonie. In their shop: cartoon characters in balloons, number balloons, sets of small latex balloons, electric pumps, and helium.
See other posts:
Latex balloons with print—a promotional idea for any occasion
Advertising gadgets that will give your ad character—balloons with logo
How to use promotional balloons for business?