When it’s time to decorate a room or an outdoor space for a party, all kinds of affordable and festive decorations can be used, anything from colorful tablecloths to banners, streamers, and music. And, of course, balloons. Wholesale latex balloons are the most common and are easy to buy in packets, though wholesale foil balloons are also really popular and can have custom images printed onto them. Anyone who visits a party supply store will find packets of balloons of all types, and shoppers can get their hands on foil and latex balloons that are already inflated for convenience. Some of these come in special shapes, such as heart shaped balloons made of latex or even foil heart shaped balloons, such as for Valentine’s Day. So, what is there to know about latex balloon models? Or would a foil balloon be better?
What to Know About Latex Balloons
The very idea of latex balloons goes back further than some people may expect. All the way back in 1824, a certain professor Michael Faraday innovated them when he fused together the edges of two rubber sheets and inflated them, thus creating the first balloons. Needless to say, balloons have been in production ever since, though the material have changed. Making all these balloons out of rubber would put major strain on the world’s forests, so latex trees are used instead. A latex tree can provide material for around 40 years, and this allows manufacturers to make balloons without killing their source trees. Thus, the industry is sustainable.
A latex balloon is often a teardrop shape, though some of them are made to form heart shaped balloons when they are fully inflated. Latex balloons can be filled with either air or helium, and there are reasons to take either route. Bear in mind that not everyone has access to a helium pump, and they might not need their latex balloons to float anyway, so they can use a regular air pump or even their own breath to fill up a balloon. Air filled balloons will not float, but they last for days, and they can be conveniently taped onto surfaces such walls or the backs of chairs or the edges of tables. A balloon filled with helium will certainly float, though it ought to be tied to a tether to prevent it from escaping. Often, people get helium filled balloons at events such as carnivals, or even at grocery stores.
All About Foil Balloons
Meanwhile, the invention of foil balloons was more recent, and foil balloons offer some unique advantages over latex ones. Such balloons are made when two foil sheets are cut into identical shapes in a factory, and they have their edges fused together. Now, the foil balloon can be filled with helium and tied to a string. Foil balloons come in a wider variety of shapes than latex ones, from heart shaped balloons to those shaped like numbers and letters. For aesthetics, foil balloons can have images or colors printed onto them during manufacture, anything from a solid color to messages like “happy birthday” to trendy pop culture images. Foil balloons can be bought in packets, but often, buyers can get them fully inflated (with helium) at a grocery store, complete with a string for convenience (and to show off their graphics).
Where to Use Some Balloons
So, when and where should some festive balloons be set up? Balloons are a great choice of decoration at a child’s birthday party, for example, where latex ones can be taped to the backs of chairs, and helium filled latex balloons can be arranged in bunches with strings on each. A foil balloon with a “happy birthday” image can be used, and/or one or two foil balloons shaped like numbers to match the child’s age. Meanwhile, pink and white latex balloons are a fine choice of decor for a bridal shower or baby shower, often filled with helium and held with strings indoors. Heart shaped balloons are a fine Valentine’s Day gift, and foil balloons with a “get well soon” message are often given to hospital patients. A high school prom is another great place for balloons, such as countless air filled latex balloons arranged to form archways or other decorations.
