FAQ - How are latex balloons made and printed?
How are balloons made?
Balloons are made from a natural latex fibre, which originates from the sap of rubber trees. With the addition of curing agents and stabilisers the latex can be fashioned into the traditional uninflated balloon shape on a light-bulb shaped die called a “form.”
Colouring of balloons is called “tinting” and is produced by pigments in the selected dye, which is added to the raw latex state before forming. Also, to allow the latex to adhere properly to the “form” it is dipped into a coagulant before being dipped into the latex.
The “form” then passes through a further series of automated production processes: revolving brushes, a hot water wash, oven curing and finally to high-pressure water or air blasting to remove the finished balloon from its “form.” After that, the balloon is ready for packaging. Specialty balloon manufacturers use this process to produce millions of units per day.
How are balloons printed?
There are two methods of personalised printing on balloons: offset balloon printing and silkscreen balloon printing.
”Offset” is a drum, or roll, balloon printing process whereby ink is transferred through the drum to a series of plates (a separate plate for each colour in the job is required) that impress the image onto the balloon. “Offset” style is used in everyday printing: newspapers, magazines, brochures, leaflets, etc.
Silkscreen balloon printing is done by placing the “screens” (fine mesh frames with an etched image of what is to be printed) over an inflated balloon and forcing ink through the mesh of the “screen” onto the surface of the balloon.
Custom balloons are inflated to approximately 75% of their capacity on special machines and then deflated almost immediately upon impression of the image. Special inks are used to ensure fast drying and image integrity when inflated by the end-user.
At Specialty Balloons, customised balloon printing is available for corporate, commercial and private customers in many configurations: one colour printed on one or both sides; two colours on one side, or one colour ink on one side and a different colour printed on the other side; two colours on both sides; two colours one side and one colour on the other side; three colours one side of the balloons; three colours one side and one colour on the second side; four spot colours on one side; one colour on four sides. Printing can also be done on top of the balloon.
All balloons are eco-friendly, not just the green ones.
Latex balloons are 100% natural. And, as such, they break down organically in sunlight and water. Latex should not be confused with or referred to as a plastic.
Research has shown that a latex balloon will break down at roughly the same rate as a leaf from an oak tree.
And, whether in rain forests or plantations, the rubber trees that provide the source of the latex are crucial components of the ecological systems in the countries where they grow. Some 16 million rubber trees are harvested annually to support the balloon industry alone; the regrowth and biology of the tress help extract huge amounts of CO2 from our atmosphere - helping to protect the ozone layer and our environment as a whole.
What happens to balloons that float off into space?
After helium filled balloons escape, or are released, they rise up into the atmosphere at around two metres per second. They will rise to about 28,000 feet (8.5 kilometres) in about 90 minutes.
The pressure and temperature both drop as the altitude increases; the temperature at this height is a very cool minus 40°C.
By now the balloon has reached its elastic limits and, at about 700% of its original un-inflated size, it bursts. The shatter that happens in these conditions is referred to as a “brittle fracture.” This shattering effect is similar to the smashing of glass, and the balloon splinters into many tiny pieces, about the size of a 5- or 10-cent piece, and then floats back to the ground, spreading over a large area.
Organic break down of these “shattered” balloons happens at a much faster rate than a whole latex balloon, especially one that has been thrown into the rubbish and disposed of as landfill.
