Confetti balloons rely on static for the confetti to stick to the walls of the balloon. Many factors can play a role in how easy it is to create and maintain that static so that the confetti will stick to the balloon. For example, humidity/moisture destroys static so it will take a little more effort to get the confetti to stick to the balloon under moist or humid conditions. We have tried a few different methods to create and sustain the static that is required for the confetti to stick to the balloon. Below are some guidelines that you may find helpful from what we have tried. If you have your own ideas, we would love to hear them so we can update these guidelines for all our customers.
To make confetti balloons you need to use clear latex balloons (unless using bubble balloons). Otherwise, you will not be able to see the confetti. Please note that clear latex balloons are never 100% transparent. Latex has a milky or foggy look to it so the balloons will never look like you are looking through a glass window. However, the more you inflate the balloon the more transparent the balloon will become so make sure to fully inflate the balloons teardrop shape
METHOD 1 for Tissue Confetti
Preferred method
- Buy or make a funnel. The opening of the funnel should be bigger than the pieces of confetti but not by much so that you do not tear the latex balloon. Using a wider mouth funnel ensures that you do not crush the pieces of confetti when you are inserting them into the balloon.
- Stretch the opening of your balloon around the opening of the funnel.
- Drop the pieces of confetti into the balloon individually. Try to touch the top and bottom of each piece of confetti individually since this creates static electricity. Be careful doing this so that you do not fold the pieces of confetti. The confetti needs to be flat to help it properly stick to the balloon.
- Inflate the balloon with your lungs to roughly about 5-6 inches for a 12-inch balloon then very slowly fill the rest with helium. This will limit the float time of the balloon, but the confetti will stick better.
- Tie the balloon off and tie on your ribbon then gently roll the balloon letting the pieces stick to the sides of the balloon
- To increase static, take a piece of fleece and put it in the dryer for 5 minutes then rub it around the balloon so that the static will transfer onto the balloon. Alternatively, you can rub the balloon on your head. Make sure to rotate the balloon. The parts of the balloon that rub against the balloon from your head will create more static than other parts.
We have found that the more air that you put into the balloon the more confetti will stick to the sides of the balloon. However, the problem with this is that this will also affect your float times. Under ideal conditions, a 12-inch balloon filled with pure helium will float for 15-24 hours. Adding air and confetti could cut your float time in half. For this reason, we recommend prepping your balloons before your event and filling them right before or using larger-sized balloons with longer float times.
The amount of confetti that will stick to a balloon is never certain. It could be a lot or none. Also over time, the confetti will fall from the sides so there will be less confetti stuck to the balloons as time goes on.
METHOD 2 for Tissue Confetti
This method is temporary. Hi-float is not clear and as time goes on it will create a film on the inside of the balloon causing it to be semitransparent or even opaque. For this reason, we only suggest you use this method when other methods do not work. If you need to use this method, preparation should take place as close to the beginning of the event as possible.
- Insert the Hi-Float applicator into the end of the balloon and dispense a very small amount of Hi-Float into the balloon trying not to get it on the neck of the balloon. Massage the balloon before it is inflated to disperse the Hi-Float around the balloon evenly. Pinch the end of the balloon at the base of the balloon to be sure that no Hi-Float goes in the neck of the balloon.
- Use the funnel created in method one, step one to drop the confetti only into the neck of the balloon where there is no Hi-Float.
- Quickly inflate the balloon with helium to spray the dots all over the edges of the balloon. Do not stop inflating until the balloon is full size.
Please watch the video below for more information.
We have also seen photos of balloons where the confetti is just sitting at the bottom of the balloon. This requires no static at all and is very simple. You just need to get the confetti into the balloon using a funnel and you will achieve the look.
Deco Bubble Confetti Balloons
If using Deco Bubble balloons it is not possible to create static on the balloon. All images we have seen show the confetti just sitting at the bottom of the balloon. We suggest using large pieces of confetti since these will fill more of the balloon. You can cut strips of tissue purchased at the craft store and many other materials to create a visually appealing look. The only way to get the confetti to stick would be to use method 2. We suggest using more confetti than needed to cover the entire balloon with the confetti, as it will not look clear at all when the Hi-Float is applied. Deco balloons blow up to look similar to a beach ball but flattened a little bit (so not quite round).
If you have any more suggestions, tricks, or methods for making confetti balloons we would love to hear from you.
Please ask one of our reps for more information on how to fill bubble balloons and follow the links below to see the options we have on our site.
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