How Balloons Are Made

Party or Toy balloons are made from the sap taken from rubber trees, this is often why latex balloons are referred to as rubber balloons. The rubber tree initially grew in South America, but in 1876 a man was sent to gather thousands of the para rubber tree seeds from Brazil and return to England with them where they were germinated in Kew Gardens. The seedlings were then sent to other countries, including Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, which has now become the biggest producer of rubber.

A balloon is an flexible inflatable object that is filled with a gas, such as helium or air. Modern balloons can be made from materials such as latex, polychloroprene or a nylon fabric, they are often referred to as plastic balloons. Whilst most balloons are used for decoration, there are other more practical purposes including  military defense, medical treatments or meteorology.

Balloons can also be filled with water to create water bombs or any other suitable liquid or gas. The rubber’s elasticity is what makes the balloons volume adjustable.

Filling a balloon with air can be done in several ways, by mouth, a hand pump or electric inflator, or a source of compressed gas.

By filling a balloon with helium gas, you are allowing the balloon to float, this usually only lasts up to one day. The helium escapes through the wall of the balloon, reducing the size of the balloon and eventually the weight of the balloon itself it heavier than the lift of the helium gas so the balloon falls to the floor. Balloons filled with air usually hold their size and shape much better and longer than a helium filled balloon.

To extend the floatation time of a helium filled balloon you can add a substance which coats the inside wall of the balloon creating  a barrier which the helium then has to penetrate through, this reduces the gas leakage which allows the balloon to float for longer, sometimes up to a week.

CMYK Printing

CMYK is a subtractive colour model used in colour printing. CMYK refers to the four inks used in some colour printing: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (Black). It varies from company to company, but typically the inks are applied in the order of the abbreviation.

The ‘K’ in CMYK stands for key. In four colouring printing, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow printing plates are aligned with the key of the black plate.

The CMYK model works by masking colours, either fully or partially, on a lighter background, usually white. The ink reduces the light that would normally be reflected. The CMYK model is called subtractive because the inks subtract brightness from the white (background).

This type of print enables you to print a photo image on to latex balloons using dots by layering up the colours and overlaying the image. This is possible on precision screen printing machines and specific CMYK printers.

Getting Ready for The Queen

We have a range of products and packs specially designed for the upcoming Jubilee celebrations. From Union Jack, England and Jubilee printed latex balloons to mixed red, white & blue. Banners, flags and buntings and helium party packs containing a choice of plain or printed balloons. Order online, direct or come and see us at our Factory Shop in Chesterfield.