Custom Printed Balloons in Australia: Sizes, Artwork and Ordering

Summary

• We print custom balloons in three sizes: 30cm, 60cm and 90cm. The 30cm is the practical pick for table settings, giveaways and bulk branding.
• Our 60cm custom printed balloons are priced at $13.20 to $31.35 per balloon, and our 90cm start from $17.60 per balloon.
• Simple, bold artwork with strong contrast between balloon and print colour reads best.
• Not everything needs printing: pre-printed, unprinted and foil balloons can fill out the rest of the room.

What custom printed balloons are

A custom printed balloon is a balloon that has your design applied to it before it reaches you. That might be a company logo, a name, an event date, a slogan or a pattern that matches a party theme. You supply the artwork and choose the balloon, and we produce the finished product.

That is different from a pre-printed balloon, which carries a stock message such as a birthday greeting or a number and is bought off the shelf. It is also different from an unprinted balloon, which is plain and is usually used for bouquets, garlands and arches.

Who orders them? In our experience the customer list is wide: event planners dressing a venue, small businesses that want an inexpensive branding tool for a stall or shopfront, people organising a milestone birthday or wedding, and large corporate clients.

Choosing your size: 30cm, 60cm or 90cm

Size is the first decision because it shapes everything else: how much print area you have, how the balloons are displayed and what the order costs. We make three sizes.

The 30cm balloon: the everyday workhorse

If you are ordering for the first time, start by considering the 30cm. It is the size that suits the most situations, and it is the one we would steer most small businesses and party hosts toward.

Here is why the 30cm works so well:

• It fits where bigger balloons cannot. Table centrepieces, cafe counters, reception desks, market stalls and shop windows all have limited space. A 30cm balloon sits comfortably in all of them.
• It suits multiples. One printed balloon is a sign. Thirty in a cluster, in your brand colour, is a display. Because of its size, the 30cm lends itself to bunches, garlands and arches where the same logo repeats.
• It is easy to hand out. For a launch, open day or fundraiser, a 30cm printed balloon is a light giveaway that people can carry away, which puts your name in the room long after the stall packs up.
• It keeps short messages sharp. A name, a date or a one-line slogan sits well on this size. Long paragraphs of text do not belong on any balloon, but they especially do not belong on a small one.
• It makes layered decoration simple. Use 30cm printed balloons for the message and mix in plain balloons around them for volume and colour.

For a milestone party, a good pattern is a cluster of 30cm balloons printed with the guest of honour’s name or the date, tied at each table, with unprinted balloons in matching colours filling the space between. For a business, a bunch of 30cm balloons in your brand colour with your logo printed on each is a flexible, portable display that you can reuse across events.

For current options on the 30cm size and a quote on your quantity, start from our custom printed balloons page.

The 60cm balloon: a statement piece

The 60cm balloon gives your artwork far more room. It suits a logo with some detail, a longer message or a design that needs to be seen from across a function room. It is the choice for entrances, stage sides and photo areas, where one or two large balloons do the work of many small ones.

Our 60cm custom printed balloons are priced from $13.20 to $31.35 per balloon, and the final figure depends on the options you choose.

The 90cm balloon: the biggest print area

The 90cm balloon is the one people notice from the door. It suits grand openings, product launches, trade show stands and large celebrations where you want a single balloon to be the focal point. Our 90cm custom printed balloons start from $17.60 per balloon.

A large print area is one of the things we are known for, and it matters most at these bigger sizes, because your logo can sit large and clear rather than squeezed into a corner.

Quick comparison

Prices are those published on our site and may change, so check the product page when you order.

Balloon materials, colours and finishes

Once you have a size, you choose what the balloon itself looks like. Across our range you will find latex balloons in a range of sizes, shapes (including standard and heart), colours and finishes. The finishes we stock include standard, metallic and crystal.

A few practical ways to think about it:

• Standard finishes are the most flexible and the easiest to match to a brand colour.
• Metallic finishes add shine and suit weddings, anniversaries and upmarket corporate events.
• Crystal finishes have a translucent look that works well for soft, light themes.
• Heart shapes suit weddings, engagements, Valentine’s events and fundraisers with a caring theme.

We also supply foil balloons, including licensed characters and numbers, and we offer custom printed and shaped foil balloons for projects that go beyond a round latex balloon. If your event needs a number or character that kids recognise, browse our foil balloons.

Preparing artwork that prints clearly

The best-looking printed balloons start with the right artwork. A balloon is a curved, stretching surface, not a flat page, so a design that looks perfect on screen can need simplifying.

1. Keep it simple. Bold shapes and short text read better than fine detail. A logo with thin lines or tiny lettering may lose definition on a balloon.
2. Think contrast. Pick a print colour that stands out clearly from the balloon colour. Dark print on a light balloon, or white on a deep colour, is the classic combination. Two mid-tones side by side tend to blur together.
3. Limit the words. A name, a date, a hashtag or a slogan of a few words is enough. People read balloons at a glance and from a distance.
4. Leave breathing room. Do not push text to the edges of the print area. Space around your design makes it look intentional.
5. Use a clean file. Send the cleanest, highest-quality version of your logo or design that you have, rather than a screenshot or a photo of a printed page.
6. Match your brand colours carefully. If a brand colour is critical, tell us before ordering so we can suggest the closest balloon and print colour combination.
7. Check spelling twice. Have a second person proofread names and dates. A typo on one balloon is a typo on every balloon.

If you are unsure whether your design will work at a given size, ask us before you commit. Sending the file first costs nothing and avoids surprises on the day.

What custom printed balloons cost

The cost per balloon depends mostly on the size, the number of print colours and the quantity. On our site, 60cm custom printed balloons are priced between $13.20 and $31.35 per balloon, and 90cm balloons start from $17.60 per balloon. For the 30cm size, and for custom printed or shaped foil balloons, please use our custom printed balloons page to see the current options and request a figure for your quantity.

When you compare quotes, compare like with like:

• the balloon size in centimetres, not just “large” or “small”
• the number of print colours and the print area
• whether the price includes inflation, or supplies the balloon deflated
• the production time and the delivery method
• whether helium or accessories are needed on top

A cheap per-balloon price that excludes something you need is not cheap. Build the whole order, including ribbon, weights and helium, before you decide.

Ready to order?

We have been printing balloons for nearly 30 years, and we are set up to turn orders around quickly, whether you need a handful for a family party or a large run for a campaign. Browse the range, choose your size and send us your design from our custom printed balloons page.

If you also need the pieces that make the display work, our balloon and party accessories range includes helium and inflators, so the whole order can come from one place.

Timing, quantities and delivery

The most common mistake with custom balloons is leaving the order too late. Printing is made to order, so the sequence is: confirm the design, approve it, produce the balloons, then deliver. Each step takes time, and Australia is large, so allow for transit if you are not close to us.

Work backwards from your event date:

1. Event date. Decide the day the balloons must be inflated and in place, not the day they must arrive.
2. Delivery buffer. Leave several days between expected arrival and the event, in case of courier delays, especially across states or into regional areas.
3. Production time. Our turnaround times are fast, but they depend on your quantity and how busy the season is. Peak periods such as the lead-up to Christmas and graduation season see more demand, so order earlier at those times.
4. Artwork approval. Have everyone who needs to sign off the design do so before you place the order, not after.
5. Quantity. Order a few more than you need. Some balloons are used for test inflation, and a spare or two is cheap insurance.

For current lead times and any minimum quantity on a given product, check the product page or contact us when you order, as these can change with demand.

Inflation, handling and helium

Balloons can be supplied for you to inflate yourself, and you can add helium and inflators when you order. Plan the inflation as carefully as the print.

• Air or helium? Air-filled balloons on sticks, in garlands or on arches last for the event and suit indoor tables. Helium-filled balloons float, which suits ceilings, entrances and bouquets, but they need to be inflated closer to the event and secured with weights.
• Inflate close to the event. Do the work on the day or the day before, depending on the plan, so your print looks fresh.
• Keep them cool and out of direct sun. Heat and sunlight are hard on balloons, so store them in a shaded, cool place and keep them away from hot cars.
• Handle with clean, dry hands. Rough handling and sharp objects can damage a balloon or scuff the print.
• Tie weights. Helium balloons need a weight and ribbon so they stay where you put them.

A small inflator saves a lot of effort on a large order, so it is worth looking at our balloon and party accessories before the day arrives.

Venue rules, helium and the environment

Before you order, check whether the venue allows balloons at all. Some venues restrict them, and a policy can override even the best-planned decoration. The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre’s event safety and design guidelines are one example: organisers are expected to confirm balloon permission and assess event risks before committing. Ask your venue manager in writing, and ask about helium specifically, since it can be treated differently from air-filled balloons.

Then think about where the balloons end up. In Queensland, releasing helium balloons into the sky has been banned since 1 September 2023, and letting them escape into the environment is considered littering and, in certain cases, illegal dumping. The same Queensland guidance explains that helium balloons can travel long distances and often end up in waterways, where wildlife can choke on them or be tangled in the string or foil attachments.

Rules differ between states and councils, so check the local requirements where your event is held. A few simple habits keep you on the right side of them:

• Never release balloons as part of a celebration. Tie them down and keep them in place.
• Use weights and ribbon so helium balloons cannot drift away by accident.
• Collect every balloon, string and foil piece at the end of the event and put it in the bin.
• Choose air-filled displays for outdoor events near water, parks or beaches.

Planning for this does not take away from the display. A tied cluster of printed balloons looks just as good, and it is easier to manage on the day.

Mixing printed with pre-printed, unprinted and foil

Most good displays combine several types of balloon. You do not have to print everything. A smart split can stretch your budget:

• Use custom printed balloons for the message: your logo, name or date.
• Use pre-printed balloons for standard greetings such as birthdays.
• Use unprinted balloons in matching colours for volume, garlands and arches.
• Use foil balloons for numbers, characters and shapes that catch the eye.

For a business stall, for example, a dozen 30cm balloons printed with your logo, surrounded by plain balloons in the same brand colour, gives the look of a large display at a modest outlay.

How we think about custom balloons

Most people who come to us start with the biggest idea and end up with the most useful one. Over nearly 30 years of printing balloons, we have seen that the order that works best is rarely the largest. It is the one where the size, the colours and the message were chosen for the space and the audience.

That is why we make three sizes, 30cm, 60cm and 90cm, and why we like to talk up the 30cm. It is small enough to go anywhere, easy to repeat in numbers and light enough to hand out. When the logo needs more room, the 60cm and 90cm give you one of the larger print areas around.

We also know that a balloon order is usually part of something bigger: an opening, a campaign, a wedding, a child’s birthday. So we keep the range broad, from custom printed and pre-printed to unprinted and foil, plus the helium and inflators to finish the job. Our aim is the same for a single party order and a national brand: reliable service and a result you are proud to put your name on.

 

FAQ

How do I order custom printed balloons in Australia?

Choose your size and balloon colour, then send your logo, message or theme to us through the custom printed balloons page. We work from that artwork. Allow time for approval, production and delivery before your event.

What sizes of custom printed balloons do you offer?

We offer 30cm, 60cm and 90cm custom printed balloons. The 30cm suits tables, giveaways and multiples, the 60cm suits entrances and detailed logos, and the 90cm gives the largest print area for feature displays.

How much do custom printed balloons cost?

Our 60cm custom printed balloons are $13.20 to $31.35 per balloon, and our 90cm start from $17.60 per balloon. Pricing for other sizes and quantities is available through our custom printed balloons page.

Can I use custom printed balloons outdoors?

Yes, with some planning. Keep them out of direct sun and heat, secure them with weights, and never release them. Some states ban releasing helium balloons, including Queensland, so tie them down and collect them after the event.

What should my artwork look like?

Keep it bold and simple, with strong contrast between balloon colour and print colour, and only a few words. Send the cleanest version of your logo you have, and proofread any names or dates before you order.

Contact us now at [email protected]