Balloon Arch Guide
Balloons are a popular decor today, with numerous balloon types, shapes, colors, designs and display options. One of these many versatile displays includes the balloon arch or garland. They are often the centerpiece of parties and special events, making each occasion more memorable and unique. That's why knowing how to build the perfect balloon arch is essential. And with this comprehensive guide, you can start crafting beautiful and inspiring balloon arches for every event.
How to Build a Balloon Arch
1. Choose Your Balloon Type
Choosing your balloons, arch shape and design, and getting your materials are some of the first steps to putting together your perfect balloon arch.
Before crafting your arch, select a balloon type suitable for your arch and event. Common balloon arch types include:
- Air-filled balloon arch: This arch is formed on a rigid structure and is an excellent choice for outdoor and indoor events. Because air pressure inflates these balloons, air-filled arches can often maintain their form for long installments.
- Helium-filled balloon arch: A helium-filled balloon arch is ideal for a more versatile display. Helium balloons are known for floating, making these arches unique and exciting. This arch type can often last longer than air-filled options.
- Latex balloon arch: This arch is often popular for creating durable, flexible, eco-friendly arches. Latex balloons come in various designs and shapes and can create an attractive arch. They can also last for a reasonable amount of time.
2. Select Your Arch Type
After selecting your balloon type, it's time to decide on your preferred arch type. Some common balloon arch types can include:
- String of pearls: This arch consists of a single row of numerous spaced helium balloons attached to a fishing line. It is often an elegant and flexible arch design.
- Organic arch: This is an arch with multiple balloon sizes and shapes. It can also have various decorative features like ribbons and confetti.
- Linked arch: You can build a simple helium-filled balloon arch with linking balloons to decorate large school halls or outdoor areas. Linked arches can also be made with clusters of balloons to create swirls of color.
3. Determine Your Arch Shape and Size
You'll need to consider an ideal arch shape for your display area. You can create three different balloon arch shapes:
- Wider than tall arch: This shape can be ideal for larger areas and is often broad enough to place over a table.
- Equal height and width: You can use this arch shape for entryways and tall areas.
- Taller than wide arch: This arch is often suitable for narrow and high spaces.
Determining your arch size depends on your display area size. Calculate the height and width of your display area to decide on a suitable balloon arch size. Once you know the width and height of your display space, you can determine the total arch line and frame length. Here are some calculations to help you work out the length of your balloon arch:
- If you want an arch that is wider or broader than it is tall, add your width and height to get your approximate arch length — height + width = total length
- If you have an arch with similar or equal height and width, use 1.5 times the height plus the width — (1.5 x height) + width = total length
- To get the total length of a taller than a wide arch, use twice the height plus the width — (2 x height) + width = total length
4. Design Your Arch
Once you've selected your arch type, you'll want to create a simple sketch to help you visualize your design. You can include your theme, color scheme or arrangement, balloon sizes and decorative elements like ribbons and flowers. This way, you can clearly understand what your arch should look like when constructing it.
5. Get Your Materials
Your balloon arch kit can include the following materials and equipment:
- Balloons
- Balloon weights
- Balloon inflator or helium tank
- Monofilament, fishing line or string
Depending on the arch type you're creating, you may also need:
- Hooks
- Wire or a frame
- Glue strips and dots
Constructing Your Balloon Arch
Now that you've designed your arch and have your equipment, it's time to make an arch with your balloons. How you'll construct your arch depends on the type of arch you've chosen. Here are step-by-step instructions for creating a simple linked balloon arch:
1. Tie Your Fishing Line to a Balloon-Weight
Take your fishing line or monofilament and wrap it around your balloon weight. Ensure to wrap the string around a few times to prevent it from coming loose. You can also use white string or decorative ribbon if you don't have a fishing line. Remember to select a balloon weight that matches your color arrangement. You can use a bucket, cinderblock or other suitable weights.
2. Inflate Your Balloons
Using a helium tank, inflate your balloons and tie the ends. You'll need to blow up your balloons to a suitable size for your arch shape and design. The amount of balloons you use and your arch height and width will also give you a better idea of how big your balloons should be.
3. Tie the Balloons to the Line
Here's how to tie your line to your balloons:
- Measure about 12 inches from the balloon weight to your line and tie your first balloon.
- Wrap your measured line or string around the end of your balloon above the knot.
- Tie a double knot around the end to secure it.
- Inflate more balloons and continue tying them to your line or string.
- Space your balloons evenly and fill the line or string from one end to the other, leaving about 15 inches of string at the end.
- You'll tie the leftover string to another balloon weight.
4. Anchor the Other End of the String
Leave at least 15 inches of space between your last balloon and the end of the string. Wrap the leftover string securely around your weight and tie a knot to anchor your line successfully.
5. Decorate
You can decorate or accessorize your balloon arch depending on your design. Some decorative options include:
- Tie ribbon around your balloon ends to give it extra flair and style.
- Select a theme, accessorize your frame, arch and balloons to a uniform color pallet.
- Mix and match your balloon colors and sizes to create depth and variety.
- Arrange your balloons in different clusters and patterns like zig-zag or flower patterns.
- Accessorize your weight or anchor with paint or wrapping to match your color scheme.
- Use flowers and greenery between your balloons and arch to add more flair.
FAQs About Building a Balloon Arch
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about building a balloon arch:
How Do You Size a Balloon for an Arch?
You can use a balloon sizer to size your balloons for an arch accurately. When designing a balloon arch, getting uniform-sized balloons is essential. You can use a balloon inflator with a sizer to ensure the same balloon size across your arch or garland. You can insert your balloons into the sizer device, select the measurement you want and it'll inflate it to that specific metric.
How Do You Calculate How Many Balloons for an Arch?
How many balloons you'll need for a balloon arch depends on your arch or garland type and the size of the balloons you'll use. It's best to purchase 5%-10% more balloons than you calculate in case your arch size needs to change slightly or some balloons pop while you're constructing the arch.
Here's how to calculate the number of balloons for different arch types:
Single Row Arch
A string of pearls or single-row balloon arch requires about one 11-inch balloon per foot of line. If you use larger balloons, you'll need fewer per foot, while you'll need more balloons if they're smaller. Here's how to calculate the number of balloons you'll need for a single or string of pearls arch:
- Measure the width and height of your display area. Suppose your arch is 10 feet wide and 8 feet tall.
- Use this width and height to determine the total arch length. For example, if you have a wider-than-tall display area, add your height and width to calculate your arch's total length. In this case, 10 feet + 8 feet = 18 feet.
- If you're using 11-inch balloons, you can estimate one balloon per foot for 80 balloons. However, if you're using a different size, you need to convert the arch's length to inches by multiplying by 12. Here, 80 feet x 12 inches per foot = 960 inches
- Divide your total length in inches by your balloon size to get your balloon amount. For example, if you're using 14-inch balloons, take 960 ÷ 14 = 68 balloons.
Clustered Arch
To calculate the number of balloons you'll need for a clustered arch, you still start by determining the arch's total length. Once you have the length, you can calculate the number of balloons based on how many balloons will be in each cluster.
For duplets or pairs of balloons, use this formula:
- Length in feet ÷ balloon diameter in inches x 50.5: For our example, that's 80 feet ÷ 14 inches x 50.5 = 288 balloons. Round to the nearest even number to ensure you have pairs.
For four-balloon clusters, you can calculate the total number in two ways:
- Length in feet ÷ balloon diameter in inches x 57.6: In our example, that's 80 feet ÷ 14 inches x 57.6 = 329 balloons total.
- Length in inches ÷ balloon diameter in inches x 4.8: In our example, that's 960 inches ÷ 14 inches x 4.8 = 329 balloons total.
If you're doing clusters of four with different colors to get a spiral pattern, divide the total number of balloons by the total number of colors. For example, if you're using four different colors, take 329 ÷ 4 = 82 balloons in each color.
What Are the Challenges of Making a Balloon Arch?
While building a balloon arch can be a fun task, it requires time and skill. You might also have some common challenges, like unevenly sized or sagging and popping balloons. However, you can create the perfect balloon arch for your event with practice.
What Are the Best Practices for Maintaining Your Balloon Arch?
Keeping your balloon arch in tip-top shape before and during your event can be challenging, but with some expert tips, you can accurately maintain your balloon arch:
- Use well-inflated balloons: There's nothing worse than putting up your arch only to find your balloons shrunk. Deflated balloons can mean you'll have to replace them more frequently throughout the day or event, which can delay photo ops and impact your aesthetics. Inflating your balloons to a bigger size is one of the best ways to ensure they look full and keep their shape longer.
- Store in a cool, dark room: Fluctuating and hot temperatures can impact your balloon color and longevity. One way to avoid discoloration and air loss is to store your balloons in a cool, dark room. Keeping your balloons out of the sun and away from sharp objects can also prevent fading, discoloration and popping.
- Select high-quality balloons: Low-quality balloons might be more prone to deflating. Higher-quality balloons are designed to retain air better, meaning they'll last longer before and during your event.
- Tie balloons securely: If you must prepare your balloon arch the night before, securely tying your balloons is essential. Double knotting and properly tying your balloons can reduce air loss overnight and keep your balloons in excellent shape for longer.
- Replace sagging balloons: Deflated or sagging balloons can impact your overall arch aesthetic. Frequently checking your arch for hanging balloons and replacing them is one of the best ways to maintain your display throughout your event.
- Maintain your balloon shine: If you want your balloons to stand out and be the party's highlight, you must keep them shiny all day. Spraying a specialized shine solution on the balloons' surfaces is an excellent way to maintain a bright sheen.
How Do You Safely Transport a Balloon Arch?
Transporting your balloon arch to an event can be tricky. Here are some tips for safely transporting your assembled balloon arch or garland:
- Build your balloon arch in smaller clusters and put them in large transport plastic bags, such as garbage bags, to make storing and transporting them more convenient.
- Measure your plastic bags to estimate what size balloon cluster will fit into one bag. Pack 3-foot clusters in one bag if your bags are smaller. If you have more room to spare, try packing a 4- to 5-foot cluster in each bag.
- Place each cluster into a bag and mark the outside with a sticker or number to help you remember the arch arrangement.
- Close and tightly secure each bag to prevent oxidation and the balloons from losing their shine.
- Remove sharp objects from your vehicle and avoid putting your balloons in the trunk, as they might pop in hot conditions. Carefully load or pack the back seat of your car with as many bags as possible.
- Set your air conditioning to a cool temperature.
- Unload the bags carefully at your destination, avoiding sharp edges and other objects.
- Assemble your arch with balloons in the display area.
Build High-Quality Balloon Arches With Mayflower Distributing
Constructing a balloon arch or garland with suitable balloons can be enjoyable and successful. At Mayflower Distributing, we know the importance of superior-quality balloons for making long-lasting, attractive balloon arches your client will love. Whether you need bulk latex balloons, specialty foil balloons, helium, accessories, packaging or party goods, we've got you covered.
Shop our catalog for balloons, accessories and arch balloon kits online today!