Creative QuickLink Balloon Walls - with Step-by-Step Guide

Balloon Walls are perfect for all occasions and create the perfect theme backdrop. 

QuickLinks are the quickest way to make a Balloon Wall! Creating a QuickLink Balloon Wall is a fun and colourful way to decorate for parties, events, or special occasions. QuickLinks are available in both 12” and 6” sizes.

QuickLink balloons have specially placed tail ends that allow you to easily link/tie them together. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to make a QuickLink Balloon Wall:

Materials you'll need:

1. QuickLink balloons in desired colours
2. Balloon pump (electric pump for speed and efficiency)
3. Poles and bases or Command hooks or other hooks (for hanging the balloon wall)
4. Scissors

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Plan the design: Decide on the size and shape of your balloon wall. You could create a wall covering an entire backdrop, a small section of a wall, or even a free-standing balloon wall.

   
   

   To plan your design, you could use the Balloon Pro Design Tool. This is a great way to experiment, and design your balloon wall and share a concept design with your clients.

   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   Choose your balloon colours:

2. Select various colours to create a visually appealing and vibrant balloon wall. Consider the theme of your event or party to pick the appropriate colours.

   
   

   Here are a few different examples of QuickLink Balloon Walls. You can easily identify the type of event each wall was for by simply looking at the colours.

   
   

   

   Design by Sue Bowler

   
   
   
   
   

   

   Probably one of my favourite X-Grid Wall designs is by the incredible duo, Avital & Nir Shechter. The fabulous colours and the different sizing of the fillers makes this design fun, exciting and oh so vibrant! 

   
   

   Inflate the balloons:

3. Use a balloon pump to inflate the QuickLink balloons. Make sure to inflate them to the same size for a consistent look.

   
   

4. Create balloon chains: Make multiple balloon chains of varying lengths, depending on your design plan. To create a chain, inflate your balloons to the desired size and tie the balloons end to end, ensuring that the tying connections are tight and cannot stretch.

   
   

   QuickLink Vertical/Horizontal Grids This is one of my favourite techniques, and I have used it many times when creating balloon walls at corporate events. The last wall I made before we headed into lockdown was for an event in London where the theme for the party was Great Gatsby! 

5. Here is an example of a Grid Method QuickLink Balloon Wall. I have colour-coded it to make it a little easier to understand the construction technique.

   
   

   

   Step 1.
   This is the first step to constructing a wall. For this wall I will need to inflate:
   Make 6 chains using 9 balloons in each chain (this is shown in red)
   Make 10 chains using 5 balloons in each chain (this is shown in blue) 

   
   

   

   Step 2.
   Once you have inflated your chains, lay them down in the correct sequence. To connect the chains together you will need Duplets, in the example shown above you would need 60 Duplets.

   
   

   

   Step 3.
   To fill in the wall, you will need 'plugs'. A plug is a Duplet that will fit in each of the holes within the wall. I would recommend to inflate the Duplets approximately 1" smaller than the size used to create the actual wall or if you are using smaller QuickLinks approx ½" smaller.
   
   

   
   

6. Add support for larger walls: If you're creating a large balloon wall, you need to add support to ensure the balloons stay in place.

   
   

7. Optional: Add embellishments: If desired, add other decorations like foil balloons, paper flowers, banners, or LED lights to enhance the balloon wall further.

I also want to share with you this fabulous wall. Luc Bertrand, CBA of WaW Balloons in Vichte, Belgium created the original design he created this wall as part of the décor for the 100-year celebration of Pioneer Balloon Company on the Qualatex stand at the Nuremberg International Toy Fair in Germany. Luc's design uses the AeröPole System® to create the circular frame, and then Luc used 6" QuickLink balloons to create the central grid system filled with multi-coloured 5" latex balloons. 

100 Years Celebration Balloon Wall by Luc Bertrand of WaW Balloons, Vichte, Belgium

I re-created Luc's design for the Pioneer Balloon Company's 100th Birthday Celebration Party in Wichita in 2017. The party theme was Black & White, and it was a great opportunity to use a fantastic selection of black & white printed balloons. This wall made the perfect photo backdrop!

QuickLink X Pattern Grids

This is another great technique using QuickLinks to create fabulous wall designs. 

Here are two grids that I have designed on the Balloon Tool to show you examples of how the frame looks with and without the balloon fillers.

Here are some examples of wall designs using the X-Pattern Grid

'Love' X-Grid Wall designed and created by Sue Bowler

'Emoji' X-Grid Wall Designed and created by Alberto Falcone, CBA.

'Welcome Baby' X-Grid Wall Designed and created by Sue Bowler

Nir and Avital Shechter, CBA's of Baloney Nir in Katzrin, Israel are all about design especially when they create their fabulous balloon walls! 

'Back to School' X-Grid Wall Designed by Avital and Nir  

If you have never tried making a balloon wall, then start with QuickLinks! If you want to practice, you can use 6" QuickLinks wmeaning that your design will be much smaller than if you use 12". You can still make a great backdrop design using 6" QuickLink balloons, so make sure that whatever you make, you use it for a photo opportunity! 

A huge thank you to Nir & Avital Shechter, Alberto Falcone, and Luc Bertrand for sharing their beautiful balloon wall designs with the Very Best Balloon Blog! 

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me @suebowler

The Wonders of Balloon Arches for Event Design

Arches are a fantastic way to create a certain vibe or ambiance by drawing the eye and introducing colour to an event. They are particularly ideal for outdoor occasions such as sporting events, grand openings, and as indicators to signal where an event is taking place. Indoors, they are frequently used as entrance decor, intending to greet guests and setting the tone for the function. At themed parties, arches make a big splash and usually look great for backdrops and photo opportunities to create memorable moments.

Organic Style Balloon Arch by Anne McGovern, CBA of Elegant Balloons in  Pearl River, New York, USA.

Before beginning a balloon arch project, it is important to determine which style of arch to create. There are two main styles of arch when working with latex balloons: Classic and Organic. 

Classic Balloon Arch by Zoe Adam-Jones, CBA of JAZ Trading, Gold Coast. Australia

Classic Balloon Décor is typically the starting point for most decorators and balloon artists. Classic style balloon Arches are constructed using balloons that have been inflated and sized to a specific dimension These balloons are then added to an arch frame or line to create the arch. 

Classic balloon arches are a popular choice for corporate events due to their versatility and ability to suit a variety of themes and colour schemes. They are a cost-effective way to create a statement piece that are used to highlight an entrance, stage, or photo backdrop. Balloon Arches can be customised to match a company's branding and logo colours, creating a cohesive look and feel throughout the event. They are also a great way to add visual interest to a space without taking up too much floor space. Additionally, balloon arches are easy to set up and take down, making them a convenient option for event planners and organisers.

Fabulous Race Arches by Dave Saker, Balloon.co.uk

Organic décor embodies the beauty of nature through balloon styling. When different sizes of balloons are placed strategically throughout a design, an elegant and cohesive look is achieved, setting the mood for any event space.

It is important to note that organic décor isn't simply a matter of using a variety of different sized balloons. Rather, it requires intentional sizing and arrangement of balloons to create a natural flow while adhering to the principles and elements of design. This ensures that the design maintains rhythm, balance, and harmony. 

An organic balloon arch is the ideal decorative addition for weddings, birthdays, and other festive events. These arches are soft and whimsical in appearance, and they add a touch of charm to any setting. One thing is for sure, organic balloon arches create a stunning backdrop for photographs and are a popular choice for social media posts.

Organic Balloon Arch by Sarah Courtney, Belle Balloons, Melbourne, Australia

Typically, an Arch is freestanding, meaning it can be strategically placed for maximum impact. For a freestanding Arch, heavy base plates and an Arch form are necessary to secure the balloons, whether it's a Classic or Organic Arch.

A lot of balloon companies often design their own Arch frames utilising metal or plastic conduit, while the bases are made from materials like steel, concrete, or other dense substances. This process requires technical expertise to create an Arch that is user-friendly. For indoor Arches, lighter materials can be used, but safety must always be prioritised. Be mindful that in the event of an Arch collapsing and causing damage or injury, you are accountable for any harm it may have caused.

The Aeröpole System®. 

The Aeröpole system was specifically designed for the balloon professional to help them achieve the perfect Arch. The system is flexible, it will perform (move) outside in the same way a helium filled arch would,  and it is not ridged like an arch that is built on a conduit frame.

What Makes the AeroPole System Stand Out?

• The AeroPole System uses lightweight, flexible poles made of composite fiberglass to create both outdoor and indoor Arches and Columns without the need for helium.
• Different sizes can be achieved by adding or removing poles, which are so flexible that they bend dramatically in strong winds without breaking.
• The AeroPole System is the only product that can achieve this level of performance in the market.
• The base plates of the AeroPole System are 24" squared, weigh 28 pounds each, have raised feet, and a powder-coated finish that gives them a clean and professional look.
• Each base plate has a center hole for the 6" steel pin to attach, and they are stackable for outdoor jobs on windy days.
• The combination of the unique base plates and poles allows you to create various sizes and shapes of Arches and Columns ranging from 5' to 15' tall.
• This system is quick and easy to set up, and is well worth the price. By using an AeroPole System to make a 35' arch, you can save on helium costs in just 2-3 uses.

Black & Gold Embellished Balloon Arch by Avital & Nir Shechter, CBA of Balonir, Israel.

White and Coloured Embellished Balloon Arch by
Avital & Nir Shechter, CBA of Balonir, Israel.

AS a final touch enhance the look and value of your arches by adding extra details.

Mastering the basic principles of creating arches is just the beginning. Elevate your arch designs to new heights by incorporating extra details. These additional features not only enhance the appearance of your arches but also increase their perceived value to potential customers.

If you are looking to design your own special balloon Arch, whether Classic or organic style, check out this fabulous design tool from Balloonpro.co

A must have for any balloon professional, this digital design tool gives you everything you need to create and calculate balloon décor, giving picture perfect digital renders to quote and market your next sale!

This awesome tool will help you to design: Organic Balloon Décor, Arches, Columns, Duplet Square Pack, Alternate Size Pack, Linking Walls, Volume Calculators, and so much more. 

You can test out this tool for 7 days FREE! https://balloonpro.co/

To conclude:

• Balloon arches are a festive and fun way to add color and excitement to any event.
• They are perfect for creating a photo backdrop or highlighting a special area of your event space.
• Balloon arches can be customised to match your event theme or colour scheme.
• They are great for creating a grand entrance, framing a stage or dance floor, or adding visual interest to a plain wall.
• Balloon arches can be made in a variety of sizes and shapes, from simple single arches to more complex designs featuring multiple arches and layers.
• They are a cost-effective way to add a big impact to your event decor.
• Balloon arches are perfect for birthdays, weddings, baby showers, corporate events, and more.

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me @suebowler

What is Classic Balloon Décor?

When I started my balloon business over 30 years ago it was considered extremely important to learn the skills to create beautiful Classic Balloon Décor. These skills really made your balloon business stand out, and set you apart from your untrained competitors!

Fantastic Circus Clowns Entrance Décor Design by Tope Abulude, CBA

What is Classic Balloon Décor?

When I think of Classic Balloon décor, I think of precision, where every balloon is sized precisely and each balloon looks identical... think of peas in a pod. Classic balloon décor refers to Columns, Garland Arches, and String of Pearl Arches. It is the foundation of balloon decorating, and can often be found at weddings, fairs, dances, grand openings, and almost anywhere balloons are used to enhance the atmosphere of an event. Just take a look at the fabulous Circus Clown entrance decor above, this is 100% Classic Balloon décor! The legs, body, and arms of each balloon uses the classic Garland technique to create these impressive structures! 

To make any style of Classic Balloon décor, you first need to know the basics: duplets and clusters.

Duplet: To make a duplet, inflate and accurately size two latex balloons, and then tie the two balloons closely together, this is known as a duplet. TIP: the tighter a duplet is tied, (leaving no stretch between the two balloons) the better the end result will be when creating clusters.

Photo courtesy of Balloon Market
for full step-by-step instructions click HERE

Clusters: A cluster is when we take two or more duplets and twist them together at the centre to form a cluster. Two duplets twisted together makes a 4-balloon cluster. We can also make 5-balloon and 6-balloons clusters, simply by adding additional duplets or in the case of the 5-balloon cluster, an additional single balloon to two duplets.

Photo courtesy of Balloon Market
for full step-by-step instructions click HERE

Puff Ball or Balloon Topiary: A Puff Ball is made using a total of twelve balloons. This is formed by twisting six duplets together, making sure that each duplet is twisted through the centre core of the ball.

Garlands

Garlands are the building block of Classic Balloon Décor and can be used to create;

• Columns - Columns can be built on a pole and base plate, or can be self-supporting if tethered to a weight and topped with a helium-filled balloon to keep it upright. Columns are great for entrances, corners of a dance floor, or any space that needs a touch of colour.

Balloon Column by Luc Bertrand, CBA of WaW Balloons in Vichte, Belgium

• Swags - this style of décor can be draped from a ceiling or pillars down into a room. Balloon swags give decor a sense of motion and energy.

This amazing décor was designed by Tope Abulude, CBA of Balloon Inspirations Design Studio in Brentwood, England.
The balloon Swags formed the canopy of a Circus Tent.
 The décor was created by a team of balloon professionals at the World Balloon Convention.

• Arches - When built on a frame, a Garland easily becomes a long-lasting focal point for entrances, buffet tables, or photo backdrops. 

Garland Patterns

Garlands are often referred to as Spiral Garlands, however, there are many more patterns that can be created within a Garland to create different effects.

The above Arch pattern displays a 'Fast Spiral' the means
that the spiral repeats quickly. You could use four 
different colours for this spiral pattern

This Arch pattern displays a 'Slow Spiral'
This is when you use two colours sitting side by side so
that the repeat is less frequent.

This Arch pattern is known as the 'Polka Dot'. Using 
a printed balloon as the dot can be very effective.

This Arch is known as the 'Small Flower' pattern.

The number of different patterns that you can create in a Garland is unlimited, you simply need to experiment and play! The easiest way to do this is by using a balloon design tool such as Balloon Pro, which is what I have used to illustrate the Arch design above. This is a fantastic way for you to create design ideas for your customers without having to touch a balloon! https://balloonpro.co

TIPS:

• Experiment with different colour combinations to create different patterns.
• Use all-over printed latex balloons to enhance a theme or to make a bold statement.
• Top columns with giant 3' latex balloons or 36" Microfoil® balloons.
• Add curly 260Q latex balloons to add visual interest and movement within a design.
• Use 5-balloon and 6-balloon clusters to create rounder structures.
• Use the Garland technique to create many different styles of Garland Sculptures, like the Clown Arches shown above or the 'Tropical Cocktail' below! The only limitations is your creativity! 

Fancy Cocktail Glass
Double stuff latex colours into Diamond Clear latex to create a frosted glass effect!
Designer name: Federico Onida, CBA, Balloon Express Shop - Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy

Tools of the Trade: The AeröPole System® was designed to help decorators easily create different styles of air-filled balloon Arches. To find out more visit www.areopolesystem.com

Here are a few more examples of designs created using Classic décor.

Christmas Tree by Cam Woody, CBA

The backdrop balloon wall was create using the Duplet Square Pack 
Technique.
Design by Sue Bowler, CBA

This Circus Ring Sculpture was mainly created using Classic Balloon Décor techniques.
Sculpture by Sue Bowler, CBA

Balloon Wall created using Alternative Size Balloon Technique
Design by Sue Bowler

So many balloon companies seem to focus solely on organic balloon décor today, but for me personally, I love knowing how to create both, and being able to apply the most appropriate technique to the style of décor or event that I am decorating. 

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me @suebowler

Classic Balloon Décor vs. Organic Balloon Décor

When I look at Facebook, Instagram, and other social media channels, I see far more displays of organic balloon designs and installations than I do of Classic Balloon Decor. I believe that social media has played a huge part in the rise in popularity for the organic style of décor. So is Classic Décor going 'out of fashion?' Before we look further into this possible change of trend, let us look at what is meant by each of these styles of balloon decoration.

Classic Balloon Décor

Classic Balloon Décor is the building blocks of ballooning, and almost all balloon artists/decorators begin here! It is as basic as learning how to inflate balloons to a specific size, tying a duplet, twisting balloons into clusters, as well as the art of adding balloons to line or framework! Classic Balloon Décor is taught as part of the Qualatex Fundamentals course. Fundamentals is the balloon course for beginners, and it provides the grounding that retailers and decorators need before starting a business that includes professional balloon work. It is also taught as part of the QBN Program (Qualatex Balloon Network).

Striking Balloon Arches by Dianna Glandon, CBA, of Above the Rest Event Designs, 
Knoxville, TN , USA.

So what is Organic Décor?

Organic decor is best described as latex balloons that are styled to mimic the beauty in nature. When a piece has organically, or randomly, sized balloons placed throughout, it adds an elegance within the design that helps set the mood of an event space.

However, organic décor is not created by simply using a range of different sizes of balloons. It consists of  intentionally sized balloons that have been arranged to create a natural flow whilst also ensuring that the principles and elements of design have been applied to ensure that the design maintains rhythm, balance and harmony.

Balloon Decor by Sue Bowler of Balloon Art by Sue Bowler & Nicci Gibson of Balloon Bouquet Events

So is it actually true that there is a greater demand for organic décor, or is it that we are seeing more of it on social media and therefore are led to believe that it is more dominant?

I recently asked some of our QBN members if they are offering Classic Balloon décor more often than Organic Style Décor? Here are some of their responses:

Cindy Chait of Balloons N Beyond, LLC, USA, reports "I do more classic over organic; almost 2 to 1 classic vs organic."

"Corporate customers love Classic Decor!"  is the statement from Nina's Balloons, CBA, in Norwalk, California, USA.

Balloon Columns by Ninas Balloons

Kahla Sharp-Leggett of Altitude Balloon Décor in Naperville, IL, USA. "I love the classic style, and try to steer customers to it. Corporate clients prefer it."

Red, White and Blue Columns by Kahla Sharp-Leggett of Altitude Balloon Décor

"Classic can look fun and hip!"  suggests Rachel Porter, CBA, of Balloon Splendor of Mount Vernon, Washington, USA.

 

How fabulous is this balloon arch! Rachel describes it perfectly on her website.
 "Bright fun colors served as the entrance decor to an outdoor company picnic at the Microsoft campus. 6 colors in a well-disbursed pattern accented with small round balloons attached to long skinny balloons (balloon bauble accents) made the cold July day not seem so dreary."

 Bob Armstrong, CBA, of Doctor Bob's Balloons Unlimited in Barry, Wales. "We create the same amount of classic and organic. It’s good to offer both."

Bob uses Classic Décor to create these fabulous letters to spell out 'PRIDE' for an event in Cardiff, Wales.

Maria Alvarez of Balloon Decorations by Maria, in Los Angeles, California, USA says "I love classic décor. Too bad Customers prefer organic right now hopefully it will pass soon."

Classic Balloon decor is often described as being "Timeless", "fast to create, making it highly profitable", and as a balloon companies "bread and butter" work!

Reading the responses from some of our QBN members, it is apparent that many of them still prefer to offer classic over organic décor. This is mainly because their client base is more corporate-based, and that the classic style of Arches and Columns lend them better décor opportunities for corporate events. However, organic décor can be visually softer and often offers a sense of artistic creativity and elegant movement, which are usually better suited to more personal occasions such as birthdays and weddings! 

I know that there are a number of balloon companies, possibly those who have started ballooning more recently, who only offer organic décor, and equally there are some more established balloon businesses that only offer classic décor! In my opinion, I believe that both are missing out. Being able to offer both styles of decor makes a balloon business more appealing to clients. 

From my own personal experience, I like to mix both styles when decorating, especially corporate events. I love the crispness of classic décor, especially when it comes to building Balloon Walls and Columns. But equally, there is definitely a time and a place for offering organic decor too. 

I designed and created this 'Sculptured Column' for an event I decorated in 2019. The client  loved it so much that they ordered 12 for their forthcoming event later this year!

I love to create balloon walls, they make the perfect photo backdrop. Personally, I prefer the classic style wall compared to an organic balloon wall, however, each event is very different and therefore we should adapt our décor to suit the event and our clients needs. 

Here is a "Yin and Yang" Balloon Wall where I mixed a classic wall with an organic Garland, and I loved the end result!  

So which is your preference, classic or organic?

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me @Suebowler