So you would like to make a perfectly round balloon, let’s be honest over-inflated pear-shaped balloons are not a good look
To make balloons round, there are a few key techniques to keep in mind. First, it’s important to properly inflate the balloon. Over-inflating or under-inflating can result in an irregular shape. The balloon should be filled with enough air to create a firm, round shape, but not so much that it becomes stretched or distorted.
Another important factor in creating round balloons is to use high-quality balloons. Cheaper, lower-quality balloons may not hold their shape as well or may be more prone to popping. Handling the balloons carefully is important, avoiding sharp objects or rough surfaces that could cause damage.
Finally, a proper tying technique can also contribute to the roundness of the balloon. The knot should be tied tightly and close to the end of the balloon, without leaving excess space that could cause the balloon to sag or lose its shape. By following these tips and techniques, anyone can create perfectly round balloons for any occasion.
Choosing the Right Balloons
When it comes to making balloons round, choosing the right type of balloon is crucial. High-quality latex balloons will hold their shape well and give you a lovely round professional-looking balloon perfect for adding to balloon garlands or balloon arches. Check out my pick of DIY balloon garland kits
You can shop my top recommended balloon garland kits HERE
Inflating the Balloons
The methods for blowing up a latex balloon are listed below, My Top tip is to always use a balloon pump or an electric pump to inflate your balloons. They are more efficient and produce better results than by blowing them up by mouth.
Using a Balloon Pump
Using a balloon pump is the easiest and most efficient way to inflate balloons. It is especially useful when inflating a large number of balloons. Balloon pumps come in different sizes and shapes, but they all work on the same principle. To use a balloon pump, follow these simple steps:
- Insert the neck of the balloon onto the nozzle of the pump.
- Hold the balloon firmly in place with one hand.
- Use the other hand to pump air into the balloon.
- Stop pumping when the balloon is round and firm.
Using an Electric Pump
An electric pump is similar to a balloon pump but is powered by electricity. Electric pumps are faster and more powerful than balloon pumps, but they are also more expensive. To use an electric pump, follow these steps:
- Plug the electric pump into a power source.
- Insert the neck of the balloon onto the nozzle of the pump.
- Hold the balloon firmly in place with one hand.
- Turn on the pump and let it inflate the balloon.
- Turn off the pump when the balloon is round and firm.
Inflating by Mouth
Inflating balloons by mouth is the traditional way of inflating balloons. It is also the cheapest way, but it can be tiring and time-consuming, especially when inflating a large number of balloons. To inflate a balloon by mouth, follow these steps:
- Stretch the neck of the balloon to make it easier to inflate.
- Insert the neck of the balloon into your mouth.
- Blow air into the balloon using your mouth.
- Stop blowing when the balloon is round and firm.
How to make a balloon round – easy way
Check out this video of top balloonist Chris showing us how to blow up perfectly round balloons every time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-ZB63Up1nIStep 1
Add the balloon onto the pump nozzle, pull down the balloon so your starting to pump air into the tip of the balloon, Start to add air into the balloon, and blow up until it looks full but not overinflated (overinflation is when the air starts to reach the neck of the balloon and looks pear-shaped).
Step 2
gently start to push air out of the balloon either against your body or a hard surface until the balloon starts to look more round.
Step 3
Once you are happy with the shape twist the long neck and tie a knot very close to where the roundness of the balloon ends.
That’s it, you can now use this technique to create amazing balloon garlands.
How are Balloon garlands made?
Balloon garlands can be made using various techniques, the most popular ways are using either a balloon garland strip or hand-tying the balloons using fishing wire.
In my experience, you will get a much better-looking garland using the organic method over the tape method.
Here is a low down on the different methods to make a balloon garland.
TAPE METHOD
Within each balloon arch kit, there is a strip of hard plastic tape that has holes throughout its length this is called balloon tape or balloon strip, to make the garland you would need to blow up the balloons in the kit using a handheld balloon pump or an electric pump, either one of these is a must when making a balloon garland and the ones we recommend are available to purchase here
Once you have blown up the balloons and tied each one, you would start pulling the end of the balloon through one of the holes on the tape until the balloon knot stops the balloon from slipping back out of the hole, and you would continue until you have the garland at the size and look, you’re after.
Pro’s
- Tape is in the kit.
- some people find this method easy
- popular if this is your first time making a garland.
Con’s
- looks pretty basic, won’t give you a professional look
- balloons easily pop out of the holes
- not good for traveling
- fiddly to add balloons.
ORGANIC METHOD
This method involves using different sizes of balloons and blowing them up using either a hand pump or electric balloon pump and creating clusters of balloons. The most common clusters are balloon pairs (two balloons tied together) or quads (4 balloons tied together).
You would then tie the clusters together, the most popular way to do this is to use fishing line but a pro tip is to not use anything but the balloon knot from one balloon in your first cluster tied to the knot of a balloon from the next cluster, this is by far the easiest way to make your balloon garland.
Pro’s
- More professional fuller looking garland
- can be made big and you can use giant latex balloons within the design not just standard sizes
- can add specialty balloons and different types of balloons ie Foil balloons, and happy birthday letter balloons.
- can be made in sections before the event, easy to transport and put together at the venue.
Con’s
- Can be tricky at first to tie knots.
You can see my tutorial HERE for making a simple balloon garland, no fishing line or glue dots required
Where can you place balloon garlands?
Balloon garlands are very versatile and can be made to fit your needs, the most popular use is to hang your garland on either a wall, window, event prop, fence, etc using command hooks.
You can also have garlands draped across a dessert table, hung onto an easel, or propped up against furniture if using command hooks isn’t an option.
-
Balloon Garland Installation:
- Choose the location: Determine where you want to install the balloon garland. It could be a focal point behind the dessert table, along the staircase railing, or as a backdrop for a photo booth.
- Select the colors: Choose colors that match the birthday party theme or the birthday person’s favorite colors. You can go for a monochromatic look or create a vibrant mix of colors.
- Determine the size and length: Decide on the length and size of the balloon garland based on the available space and your preference. It can be a full-length garland or a smaller one to highlight a specific area.
- DIY or professional installation: You can create the balloon garland yourself using a balloon decorating strip and balloons, or hire a professional balloon artist to create a custom garland for you.
Special Occasions
Balloon garlands are a popular for any kind of party or event below is the most common occasions they are used for
Baby Shower
When it comes to baby showers, balloons are a must-have decoration.
Popular Color Schemes:
- Classic pastels: Soft shades of pink, blue, mint green, and lavender are timeless choices for baby showers. They create a delicate and sweet atmosphere.
- Gender-neutral tones: Opt for neutral colors like yellow, mint, gray, or white if the baby’s gender is not known or if you prefer a gender-neutral theme.
- Monochromatic elegance: Create an elegant look by choosing a single color for your balloon garland, such as all-white or all-gold. It adds a sophisticated touch to the decor.
Popular Themes:
- “Oh, Baby!” theme: This theme incorporates baby-related elements like rattles, pacifiers, onesies, and baby bottles in the balloon garland. Use soft pastel colors and add cute baby-themed decorations throughout the venue.
- Animal or Safari theme: Incorporate balloon animals or animal-shaped balloons into the garland. You can also include animal prints, such as zebra or leopard patterns, in the color scheme and decorations.
- Storybook theme: Choose a favorite children’s book and incorporate elements from the story into the balloon garland. For example, if it’s “Winnie the Pooh,” use balloons in shades of honey and include honey pot decorations.
Remember, these are just ideas to get you started. Feel free to customize and personalize the balloon garland to fit the baby shower’s unique style and the preferences of the parents-to-be. Have fun planning and enjoy the celebration!
Birthday Parties
Incorporating a balloon garland into a birthday party is a fantastic way to add a festive and vibrant element to the decor. Balloons bring a sense of joy and excitement to any celebration. Here’s how you can incorporate a balloon garland into a birthday party and why it’s a good idea to include balloons in your decorations:
Why Include Balloons in Your Decorations:
- Festive atmosphere: Balloons instantly create a festive ambiance and set a joyful tone for the birthday party. They bring a sense of fun and celebration to the event.
- Versatile and customizable: Balloons come in various sizes, shapes, and colors, allowing you to customize the decorations to fit any theme or style. You can mix and match balloons to create unique arrangements.
- Budget-friendly: Balloons are an affordable way to decorate a space, making them a great option for birthday parties. You can create a stunning visual impact without breaking the bank.
- Easy to set up: Balloon garlands are relatively easy to assemble, especially with the help of balloon decorating strips. They don’t require elaborate setups or extensive decorations, saving you time and effort.
- Photo opportunities: Balloons provide excellent photo backdrops. They add color and visual interest to pictures, creating memorable moments for the birthday person and guests.
Balloon Decor Ideas for Birthday Parties:
- Number-shaped balloons: Use large number-shaped balloons to display the birthday person’s age.
- Balloon arch: Create an arch-shaped balloon garland to frame the entrance or dessert table.
- Themed balloons: Incorporate balloons that match the party theme, such as superhero-shaped balloons for a superhero-themed party or princess-themed balloons for a princess party.
- Confetti-filled balloons: Fill clear balloons with confetti to add an extra touch of excitement and create a burst of color when they pop.
Remember to consider the venue’s rules and any safety precautions when working with balloons. Balloons can transform a space and elevate the birthday party atmosphere, making it a memorable celebration for everyone involved.
Be sure to check out my post HERE 20 Insta worthy simple balloon decoration ideas for your next party.
Conclusion
In conclusion, making balloons round is a simple task. By following the steps outlined in this article, anyone can create perfectly round balloons that will be sure to impress at their next event.
The next step is to practice, The more balloons you make, the better you will become. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempts are not perfect. With time and practice, you will be able to create flawless balloons every time.
So go ahead, grab some balloons, and start creating!
