Balloon Decorating Tools & Materials

Whether balloon decorating is a hobby for you, or you've chosen it as your profession or a side hustle, what's the one thing you need? The right tools and materials!

The list below is by no means exhaustive, but it's a great place to start. Over time you'll develop your own techniques and little tricks what to use for which job.

Click on the links to get directly to my recommended products on Amazon. For items where I've written a separate article, you'll find a "read more" link below each item.

The balloon decoration items list is divided into three sections:

• Essential tools and materials every balloon decorator needs
• Useful extras that make your life as a decorator easier (especially if you're a beginner)
• Equipment needed for a balloon business

Essential Tools & Materials Every Balloon Decorator Needs

These are the must-haves for every balloon decorator. With these materials, you can make some simple and beautiful designs — ideal if you're just starting out.

• High quality latex and/or mylar balloons
  [here are some of the best balloon brands for arches and other designs]
• Two pairs of good quality scissors (one small, one large)
• Two balloon hand pumps (one as a backup); best are dual action pumps
  [learn more about balloon pumps here]
• Clear sticky tape and dispenser
• Curling ribbon on a roll (typically 3/16 inch (5 mm) wide), to tie helium filled balloons to anchors and for decoration purposes
• Clear fishing line, also known as nylon line or 'Perlon' (for most designs, a strength of 25 to 40 pounds of weight is sufficient)
• Glue dots or UGlu Dashes, to attach latex or foil balloons to each other or to a surface
• Removable command hooks, to attach balloon garlands to the wall
• Reusable, eco-friendly straws, to inflate and deflate foil balloons
• Chopsticks, to double-stuff balloons
  [learn more about double-stuffing balloons here]
• Balloon sizer
  [learn how to make your own balloon sizer]
• Sand (fine grade as used in children's sand pits), to create your own bases for balloon centerpieces
• Clear cellophane on a roll (16 or 31.5 inches (40 or 80 cm) wide)
• Helium Tanks: preferably refillable helium tanks or — if it's a one time design with few balloons — a disposable tank
  [read more about the pros and cons of renting vs buying helium tanks]

Which beautiful designs will you create with these balloon decorating materials?

Extra Balloon Decorating Tools and Materials That Make Your Life Easier

These are the nice-to-have things, that either make your life as a balloon decorator easier, or help you improve your creations. Hi-Float for example increases the floating time of helium filled balloons significantly.

• Balloon decorating strip, a clear polyethylene strip with pre-made holes to hold up to 12 balloons per foot; can be used to create arches and garlands
  [follow my balloon decorating strip tutorial]
• Cool melt glue gun, ideal for creating designs like this "Happy Balloon Face"
• Cake boards as part of your self-made balloon bases
  [easily make cake boards yourself]
• Balloon sealing clips as an alternative to tying latex balloons
• Balloon tying tool, if you struggle with tying a balloon knot
• Balloon expander, to help you open the neck of a latex balloon wide, so that you can stuff things inside
• Balloon sticks and cups
  [how to use balloon sticks and cups, step-by-step]
• Balloon rings, to easily create balloon clusters of 4 and attach them to a balloon column or arch frame
• Suction cups, to attach balloon garlands or other designs to glass surfaces
• Bulldog binder clips, to clip balloons to curtains, blinds or cardboard sail boards (shoutout to my friend Ela from D-Party Balloons for this nifty trick!)
• Hi-Float with dispensing pump, to extend the floating time of helium filled designs
  [see my own Hi-Float experiment]
• Tulle, to add extra flair to balloon bases, centerpieces and columns
• Balloon lights, to make your designs shine at night
  [read my LED balloon lights review]

Equipment Needed for a Balloon Business

And finally, here's some additional equipment that you'll need if you consider starting a balloon business from home.

• Electrical balloon inflator
• Balloon stuffing machine; stuffed balloons can make a profitable add-on to your decorating services
• Column stand with base plate 
  [learn how to make a DIY balloon column stand]
• Arch frame for creating sturdy, air-filled balloon arches, ideal for outdoor balloon decorations
• Stackable clear plastic boxes for keeping your materials organized and safely stored at home
• Large clear plastic bags for storing and transporting inflated balloons
• A vehicle to transport your balloons; best would be a van or an SUV with the back seats taken out

That brings us to the end of my tools and materials list. We've gone through the must-haves, the nice-to-haves, and the need-to-haves for anyone diving into the world of balloon decorating.

Whether you're just starting out or considering opening your very own balloon business, I truly hope this list of tools and materials has given you a solid direction.

From simple scissors and tape to handy balloon sealing clips and the game-changing electrical balloon inflator, we've covered it all!

Remember, it's all about honing your techniques and discovering what works best for you as you go along. So, keep on experimenting and, most importantly, keep on creating those stunning balloon decorations. 

To get started, click on one of the links below!