The HX Blog

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...

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 ...

...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 looked at our information chart on helium rentals and come to the realization that you simply don't need to inflate that many balloons, then you may want to purchase them inflated. We do not deliver inflated balloons, but we can sell them to you assuming you have a vehicle that will accommodate your desired amount. Likewise, we can also inflate balloons you have purchased elsewhere. However, if you plan on buying and transporting inflated balloons. please plan accordingly. Think Float Life For starters, keep in mind that balloons have a finite lifespan, or " float life ." However, as a general rule, latex balloons should not be inflated any earlier than the event date. There are exceptions such as 36" latex balloons, which will still be up from one day to the next (though smaller in size). Alternatively, foil balloons may be inflated days in advance with little to no change as they float longer. As of now, we are closed on weekends. If your ev...

As recently noted in another post, 'balloons on a stick' can be great substitutes in many situations. And while most people are familiar with the balloons, not many people know how to actually use them. It's easy to assume that they are inflated with helium, but some may be surprised to know that they are aren't intended for use with helium at all! In fact, they're quite different in a few aspects. Inflate So how does one inflate these small balloons? Well, quite simply, with air. The means by which this is done, however, is a matter of preference. You can use one of a myriad of air inflator options, from a simple and economical hand pump to a heavy duty electric inflator. Once you determine how frequently you intend to do this and locate an suitable inflator, you'll notice that the air doesn't stay inside the balloon by itself like it does with helium foil balloons. Because they are not self-sealing, you'll also need a heat sealer. Seal ...

Balloons come in a variety of shapes and sizes. And for the sake of making a grand gesture, most people like to give and decorate with larger size balloons. It's a valid reason and they do make quite an impression, but 'miniloons' can be just as dramatic and, in some cases, more suitable. What are 'miniloons'? In short, they're small foil balloons. Their sizes are usually described as 2", 4", 9" or 14", but there are many variations in between. One of the things that sets them apart from other balloons is that they are not intended for use with helium. Instead, they are to be inflated with air or nitrogen. As a result, these balloons will not float. While some may not be particularly fond of this, it does present some other notable advantages. If you're decorating outside, you may find that larger helium balloons (foil or latex) will move around quite a bit, particularly on windy days. Depending on the placement of the balloon ...

Okay, maybe it's not cold yet, but it's certainly less hot! And on some particularly cool mornings, we'll be seeing an interesting effect on balloons. At the risk of sounding a little too scientific, let's explain. The Science In short, balloons will appear to shrivel up in the cold while they tend to expand in the heat. The reason is due to a density change of the molecules. (We warned you things may get a little scientific!) Cold weather makes the molecules more dense, which causes them to move around more slowly and within a smaller space. Because latex balloons are elastic, they will appear to "shrink" in extreme cold as the latex gives way to the smaller area of movement within. Foil balloons do not have the elasticity latex balloons do, but will appear to shrivel up as the foil around the unused space crinkles upon itself. As you can probably already guess, heat has the opposite effect. In this case, the molecules become less dense and begin to move...

Customers always ask how long balloons last. This is sometimes difficult to answer as many variables can impact a balloon's float life. However, the answer is essential to party planning. Helium-filled balloons float due to the simple fact that helium is lighter than air. Because latex balloons are porous, helium slowly seeps through the pores. As less helium is left in the balloon, the balloon decreases in size and simultaneously floats lower to the ground until there is no longer a sufficient amount to keep the balloon afloat. The typical indoor float life of 12" latex balloons is 10-12 hours. If outdoors, this float life can be expected to decrease by at least half. Part of the reason a balloon doesn't float as long outdoors is due to temperature. The hotter it is, the more susceptible the balloon is to popping. In contrast, balloons typically contract in extreme cold, which decreases the size of the balloon. Ceilings that are texturized or have abrasive surfaces ...