The HX Blog

We share a great amount of information with employees and customers alike to ensure safe interaction with the gases and cylinders we sell. The following poem creatively illustrates the potential danger of pressurized gas. Some of you may recognize this as we have it posted in our store, as well as on our website . Though we do not intend to scare anyone away from using helium or the like, it's important to recognize the risks associated with gas under pressure. It commands great care and respect, as you'll see. A Sleeping Giant I am a compressed gas cylinder. I weigh in at 175 pounds with or without gas. I am pressurized at 2,200 pounds per square inch (psi). I have a wall thickness of about ¼ inch. I stand 57 inches tall. I am 9 inches in diameter. I wear a cap when not in use. I wear valves, gauges, and hoses when at work. I wear many colors and bands to tell what tasks I perform. I transform miscellaneous stacks of material into glistening ships and many ot...

Long before Helium Xpress Balloon Wholesale was founded, helium and balloon wholesalers found themselves selling most of their product to gift and flower shops. To say 'times have changed' would be a severe understatement. The New Helium Customer Gift and flower shops, while still relevant and thriving within their industry, are no longer the leading customers for many helium and balloon wholesalers. So who are these new customers? Well, they're a diverse bunch! They include car lots, apartment complexes, balloon decorators and event coordinators. Those may not sound too surprising, but what if I told you the new helium customers also include call centers, hotels, police departments and retail stores that have nothing to do with balloons? It appears helium and balloons are being used to promote new product releases, store openings, office parties, meet marketing objectives and even increase office morale more often. Our customers have come up with some very unique and...

These "glitter"-adorned balloons can add a touch of elegance and glamor to any function. They may look expensive (for a balloon anyway), but the good news is it's easy to re-create the popular trend for yourself. Adding the Sparkle All you need is soft, ultra thin foil confetti (make sure to avoid pointed or hard confetti), hi-float , balloons and helium . If you just want to add color, but don't necessarily want the glittery look, you can use any paper-based confetti, such as shredded tissue paper. The steps are as follows: pump hi-float into balloon, massage balloon to evenly coat the side of the balloon with product, pour confetti into the balloon, inflate, shake or whirl the balloon around to disperse the confetti and enjoy! One benefit of using hi-float to add "glitter" to balloons is that it will lengthen the float life of the balloon. After all, if you go through the trouble of creating custom balloons, why not enjoy them longer? The second be...

As a regular reader of our blog, you may be able to spot the truth from fiction very easily. If you're not sure or you're surprised by the answer, then you'll want to check out the dedicated blog post for that topic. Ready to test your knowledge? Let's go! 1. Mini-loons can be inflated with helium Verdict: Mostly false Many people reasonably believe that all balloons are designed to float. However, this is not the case with mini-loons. If you're unfamiliar with this term, allow me to define it simply. Mini-loons are foil balloons typically seen on sticks and included in flower arrangements. Though some are larger, they're known for ranging between 2" and 16" in size. They're available in several shapes and designs like most balloons. Recently, they've become more popular for the assortment of letters, numbers and words they're available in. Pinterest and Instagram have highlighted these trends and it's not uncommon to see these ...

Chances are you've heard about or read up on our loyalty program. We've had such a great response to this program that now we're taking it one step further. Many of you asked if the program extended to large cylinders and we're happy to announce that now it does! Here's the breakdown... A large cylinder alone costs $300.00. You still need to fill it with helium and purchase a valve. We recommend purchasing a valve with a gauge so that you can monitor the amount of helium you have in your cylinder. This would cost $524.95. As you know, we granted massive discounts for small and medium-sized cylinders. And our newest program for large cylinders is no different. Now, you can purchase a large cylinder (full of helium) and a valve with a gauge for just $420! When you need it refilled, just pay $145*! Compare it to our other size options and see which one works for you . Written by: Miriam E. Medellin *Edited on July 24, 2019 to reflect price increase

We've been asked if we offer balloon decorating training. Though we do not, many classes are available to teach basic techniques to get you started or refine your art. However, if you're looking to increase your appeal and boost your balloon decorating business, you may want to consider becoming a certified balloon artist (CBA). Qualatex offers this certification program, which not only teaches you valuable tips and techniques, but also provides several networking opportunities. In addition to the education you'll receive, your certification status will get you listed in a directory with other CBA's. If a customer is looking for someone who truly knows their stuff, they make be inclined to call on local CBA's from options listed in this directory. Plus, as a CBA, you'll have the opportunity to attend Qualatex-hosted events and receive exclusive discounts. Keep this opportunity in mind if you'd like to hone in on your skills and really grow your busines...

We often get asked for height and weight measurements of helium cylinders. Whether you're renting or purchasing, it's good to know exactly what you're getting. It needs to meet your needs with regards to output, but in many cases, it also needs to be easily transported. If you plan to be mobile while using your cylinder, make sure it's something you're comfortable transporting. Will you be able load it into a vehicle unassisted? If not, will someone be available to help you? Do you plan on transporting it a lot or just occasionally? These are just a few questions to ask yourself when deciding on a cylinder size. Consider the following information to assist in your decision-making. Small Cylinder 55 cu. ft. Inflates approximately 65 12" latex balloons Stands 27" tall and is approximately 8.5" in diameter Weighs in at 26 lbs.* (aluminum cylinder) Medium Cylinder 125 cu. ft. Inflates approximately 200 12" latex balloons Stands ...

...But that doesn't mean they can't do the same things! We get a lot of questions about inflators (valves). One of the most popular questions we're asked is if a particular valve will inflate both latex and  foil balloons. Let's find out! We sell valves with rubber tips, which are generally recognized as latex balloon inflators. We also sell metal-tipped inflators, which are known for inflating foil balloons. We even sell inflators with both kinds of tips attached. This inflator has both a rubber tip (top) and a metal tip (bottom). But the fact is it's a matter of personal preference. The rubber tips will inflate both latex and foil balloons. Simply tilt the tip to release the helium and your balloon will inflate. However, you will have to stop inflating on your own. Once you see the balloon reaching an optimum size, discontinue inflating it. The metal tip, specifically for foil balloons, will stop on its own. It can tell when the balloon has been suffici...

If you've ever thrown a party, you know it's a lot of fun. But it's also a lot of work. And it's easy to forget even the most basic stuff when your mind is trying to keep up with several tasks and thoughts at once. Sound familiar? Here's a tip: write things down. It's a simple tip, but very effective. Having an organized checklist will help you see the big picture without forgetting the small stuff. If you're not sure how to get started, download a copy of our party planning template. In it, you'll find a space to plan everything from a budget to your menu. And it's all yours for the price of a tweet! Or a Facebook shout-out, if you prefer. So pay with a tweet and get your copy now! If you find that it helps you in your planning, let us know! Written by: Miriam E. Medellin