Balloon Basics - Microfoil® Balloons

This type of balloon is often called a foil, Mylar^®, or a metallic balloon. However, they are not made from foil as you would imagine. They are actually made from a bi-axial nylon impregnated with aluminium on the outside to hold in the small molecules of helium or balloon gas and laminated with a polyethylene (plastic with a low melting point) coating on the inside to allow the material to be heat sealed. The material is then cut to the shape required and heat sealed at the edges. 




Due to their material, Microfoil^® balloons are less porous than latex balloons, so they stay inflated longer. This type of balloon is NOT biodegradable.

Qualatex^® Microfoil balloons are available in a wide range of colours that coordinate with the Qualatex latex colour range. Microfoil balloons range from 4” to 36” with a wide variety of shapes and designs.

Conwin Precision Plus Inflator.

Correctly inflated Microfoil balloons are firm with uniform creases along the seams (you must leave space for heat expansion). The 18” size and larger can be inflated with helium or balloon gas. For correct inflation, use an Automatic Foil Balloon inflator. These inflators have been designed to fill any size or shape Microfoil balloon to the optimum size (leaving the correct amount of creases) and will automatically cut-off when the balloon has reached its correct size. Using the wrong type of inflator can cause damage to the valve of a Microfoil balloon, plus you can easily overinflate these balloons, which could cause them to pop.

'Balloon-Pops' - cute and simple air-filled balloon designs.

'Balloon Pop's©' - it's all in the name!

How many of us name our designs? Sure we sell 'Bouquets of Balloons' or 'Balloon Arrangements' even balloons on a ribbon & weight, but do you name each of your designs?

Balloon-Pop's© by Sue Bowler  

I recently did a little 'snooping' around the internet and viewed a variety of websites. I started with the floral market and checked out a selection of companies, the results were very interesting. Some the florists named each of their beautiful creations, making it really easy to identify and order, some simply gave their designs a number (a bit boring) and others no name or description at all, which made me wonder if I found an arrangement on their website that I really liked how would I go about asking for it?

I then looked at other retail businesses, let's take IKEA, they name everything that they sell! Many of us use the 'NOT' lamp for example and without having a name, how easy would it be for us to identify the lamp when we visit the store... probably not easy at all? Perfumes all have names as do cars... there really has to be something in giving  a product or design a name!

Heat Sealing Qualatex Microfoil Balloons and turn those 'little balloons' in to BIG profit earners!

I remember the first time that I heat sealed a Qualatex Microfoil balloon. I did not own a heat sealer, so I tried other methods that I had been told would work... like using a travel iron or curling tongs. After many very unsuccessful attempts, burnt fingers and ruined balloons, foil covered iron and tongs, I decided that if I wanted to sell these beautiful little balloons I would need to have the correct equipment!

Mini & Maxi Sealer by Premium Balloon Accessories

Even using the correct equipment you will need to follow a few simple rules:

• Test your heat sealer settings, too high will melt straight through the balloon and too low it will not seal the balloon closed. I find that somewhere between 3-4 is usually perfect!
• Inflate your balloons carefully with a hand pump, make sure that they are firm to the touch, being careful not to over-inflate or they will pop!
• Do not allow any of the air to escape whilst you prepare the balloon for heat sealing.
• Start low (near the opening) on the neck of the Microfoil balloon, as this will give you a second or even third opportunity to do it again if at first you don't succeed!
• ENSURE THAT THERE ARE NO CREASES IN THE NECK, smooth out the foil neck prior to heat sealing, creases will allow air to escape.
• Place the balloon under the bar of the heat sealer and press down firmly, the light will come on, then go off very quickly, keep the bar down and the pressure on for a further 5 seconds, this will really ensure that the Microfoil  balloon opening has sealed together.

Here is a short video clip that I hope will help.

So now that we know how to successfully heat seal our Qualatex Microfoil balloons, we need some inspiration on how to use them!

Let's start with the fact that once these air-filled balloons have been heat sealed, they will never go down, an ever lasting balloon- what a fantastic selling point!

This is one of my favorite idea's using the 4" Hearts, they are perfect for weddings and so many other occasions! Simply fill a vase and leave them on your counter and watch them sell!

Qualatex have a fantastic range of 'mini' Microfoil balloons these include 4" & 9" Rounds, Hearts, Stars, 9" Squares, 13" Tapers and the fantastic new range of 9" & 14" design coordinates!

Please note that not all of these balloons are available in every country, check with your Qualatex distributor.

Here are a few simple idea's using the new 14" 'Soft Giraffe' # 32932. These are perfect for counter top sales, impulse purchases and also as a base for a centerpiece design!

Designs made by Sue Bowler CBA

• Start by creating 2 x 5-balloon clusters using 5" Qualatex latex balloons, the base cluster is inflated to approx.3" and the top cluster to approx. 2", they need to be small to be in proportion with the 14" Microfoil balloon. 
• Secure the 2 clusters together and add a weight to the base.
• Secure the heat-sealed 14" Soft Giraffe to the top of the double cluster, using a small scrap of 260Q is perfect!
• Add detail such as a small bow or additional balloons, I have used Goldenrod which perfectly compliments the Soft Giraffe balloon, please note that these small balloons have been made by inflating the tips of 350Q's and not 5" balloons!

 Here is another fantastic design idea using the new 14" Birthday Frosted Cupcake! 

Here is a close-up of the base, this time I used the inflated tips of 260Q, choosing color's that are featured within the Cupcake

 

In this design I have used:

• Birthday Frosted Cupcake 35" # 30683
• Birthday Sprinkle & Sparkles 18" #30677
• Cupcake & Presents 11"        # 31227
• Birthday Frosted Cupcake 14" #32935
• Purple Violet 5" # 82697
• Lime Green, Robin's Egg Blue & Wild Berry 260Q

I am very excited as I will be teaching 3 great classes at the World Balloon Convention in March 2012. I can guarantee that I will be showing many new and exciting concepts working with air-filled Microfoil balloons to capture those retail sales as well as for decor and centrepieces!

Do not forget, these small balloons can and will make you BIG profits! 

Have fun with one of my favorite balloons!

Sue