# HICO Distributing — Balloon Buying and Sizing Guide

A practical guide to choosing the right balloons for any event, from a single bouquet to large-scale installations.

## Balloon Sizes Explained

### Standard Round Latex Balloons
| Size | Inflated Diameter | Common Uses |
|------|-------------------|-------------|
| 5-inch | ~5 inches | Garland fillers, mosaics, small accents, table confetti |
| 7-inch | ~7 inches | Budget-friendly decorating, small bouquets |
| 11-inch | ~11 inches | The standard balloon size. Bouquets, arches, columns, helium floats |
| 12-inch | ~12 inches | Similar to 11-inch, common Funsational size |
| 16-inch | ~16 inches | Larger statement pieces, organic garland focal points |
| 18-inch | ~18 inches | Large accent balloons, centerpieces |
| 24-inch | ~24 inches | Jumbo balloons, stuffed balloon centerpieces |
| 36-inch (3-foot) | ~36 inches | Giant statement balloons, confetti-filled balloons, gender reveals |

### Entertainer / Twisting Balloons
| Size | Dimensions | Common Uses |
|------|------------|-------------|
| 160Q | 1-inch x 60-inch | Fine detail work, small balloon animals, line art |
| 260Q | 2-inch x 60-inch | Standard twisting balloon. Balloon animals, sculptures, woven designs |
| 350Q | 3.5-inch x 50-inch | Large sculptures, oversized balloon art |

The "Q" stands for Qualatex sizing. Sempertex uses "b" (260b) for their equivalent entertainer balloons.

### Foil / Mylar Balloons
| Size | Common Uses |
|------|-------------|
| 18-inch round | Helium bouquet toppers, themed decorations |
| 18-inch heart | Valentine's Day, weddings, love-themed events |
| 18-inch star | Accent shapes in bouquets and garlands |
| 26-inch starburst | Modern spiky accent balloons |
| 40-inch starburst | Large focal-point accent balloons |

## Helium Float Times

Helium float times vary based on balloon size, material, altitude, temperature, and whether Hi-Float is used.

| Balloon Type | Without Hi-Float | With Hi-Float |
|-------------|-----------------|---------------|
| 11-inch latex | 12–20 hours | 1–3 days |
| 16-inch latex | 24–30 hours | 3–5 days |
| 36-inch latex | 2–3 days | 5–7 days |
| 18-inch foil | 3–5 days | N/A (foil only) |

**Hi-Float** is a liquid gel applied inside latex balloons before inflation. It dries to form a coating that dramatically extends helium float time. HICO stocks Hi-Float in multiple sizes.

## Choosing Balloons by Event Type

### Weddings
Recommended colors: White, Pearl White, Ivory, Blush, Champagne, Rose Gold, Gold, Silver, Eucalyptus, Dusty Rose, Mauve, Diamond Clear

Popular products: 11-inch and 5-inch latex for garlands and arches, 36-inch giant balloons for photo backdrops, 18-inch heart and round foils for bouquets, entertainer balloons for woven installations

### Birthday Parties
Recommended colors: Match the party theme. Popular choices include bright primary colors, pastel rainbow palettes, or themed color combos.

Popular products: 11-inch latex in theme colors, birthday-printed mylar balloons, 260Q balloons for balloon animals and twisting

### Baby Showers
Recommended colors: Baby Blue, Baby Pink, Pastel Mint, Pearl Lavender, Ivory, White, Gold

Popular products: Baby Boy and Baby Girl printed mylars, pastel latex balloons for garlands, 36-inch gender reveal balloons

### Corporate Events and Grand Openings
Recommended colors: Chrome Silver, Chrome Gold, Metallic Blue, Metallic Red, Black, White, brand-specific colors

Popular products: Reflex/Chrome balloons, Grand Opening printed balloons, Cloud Busters for maximum outdoor visibility, skydancers

### Holiday Celebrations
- **Valentine's Day:** Red, Pink, Rose, Heart-shaped balloons
- **Halloween:** Orange, Black, Purple, themed printed mylars
- **Christmas:** Red, Green, Gold, Silver, Holly Jolly prints
- **St. Patrick's Day:** Green, Shamrock prints

## Buying in Bulk

Most latex balloons at HICO are sold in professional-size packs:
- **100-count bags** — Standard for 5-inch and 11-inch balloons
- **50-count bags** — Common for 16-inch, entertainer balloons, and Funsational
- **25-count bags** — Standard for 18-inch latex
- **10-count bags** — Standard for 24-inch latex
- **2-count bags** — Standard for 36-inch and 3-foot balloons

Foil balloons are typically sold individually.

## Balloon Care Tips

- Store latex balloons in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight
- Inflate balloons as close to event time as possible for best results
- Use Hi-Float for events where balloons need to last longer than a few hours
- Outdoor events: balloons expand in heat and may pop in direct sun; consider using larger sizes and inflating slightly under-full
- Altitude matters: at higher elevations, balloons expand more and may need to be inflated smaller