How to Make a Balloon Arch

Complete DIY Guide: Step-by-step tutorial from planning to professional finishing techniques.

Balloon arches have become a must-have decoration for birthdays, weddings, baby showers, and corporate events. The good news? You don’t need to hire a professional—with the right supplies and technique, anyone can create a stunning balloon arch at home.

This guide is based on techniques we’ve refined over 38 years of supplying professional balloon decorators. We’ve helped thousands of customers—from first-time DIYers to experienced event planners—create beautiful arches using the same methods you’ll learn below. Whether you’re making a simple 6-foot backdrop or an elaborate 20-foot entrance arch, these steps will help you achieve professional results.

Quick Overview

Time needed: 2-4 hours depending on size

Difficulty: Beginner-friendly

Supplies: 150-200 latex balloons, decorating strip, electric pump, glue dots

Steps: Plan colors → Inflate → Attach to strip → Shape → Fill gaps

Planning Your Balloon Arch

Choose Your Arch Style

Organic/Asymmetrical: Mixed sizes and colors for a natural, trendy look
Classic Spiral: Two alternating colors in a uniform pattern
Ombre/Gradient: Colors transition from light to dark
Garland Style: Draped like a swag rather than a full arch

Select Your Colors

The most visually appealing arches use 3-5 colors. Include one metallic or chrome color for added pop.

Determine Your Size

Small (6-8 ft): Photo backdrops, dessert tables
Medium (10-12 ft): Doorways, cake table backgrounds
Large (15+ ft): Entrance arches, stage decorations

Essential Supplies

Latex balloons (mix of 5″, 11″, and 16″)
Balloon decorating strip
Electric balloon pump

Balloon glue dots
Fishing line or ribbon
Command hooks (for mounting)

How Many Balloons Do You Need?

Arch Size	Total	11″	5″ Fillers	16″ Accents
Small (6-8 ft)	80-100	50-60	20-30	10
Medium (10-12 ft)	150-200	100-120	40-60	15-20
Large (15+ ft)	250-400	180-280	50-80	25-40

Need a precise count? Use our Balloon Quantity Calculator.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1 Inflate Your Balloons

Separate balloons by color and size
Using your electric pump, inflate to varied sizes:
- 11″ balloons: Some fully, some to 75%, some to 50%
- 5″ balloons: Inflate fully
- 16″ balloons: Inflate to 90-100%
Tie off each balloon immediately
Sort by size into separate piles

Using an electric pump to inflate latex balloons to various sizes

2 Prepare Your Decorating Strip

Measure and cut strip to desired length (add 2 feet for securing)
Identify which holes are larger for better hold
Plan your color sequence if doing a pattern

Measuring and preparing balloon decorating strip

3 Attach Balloons to Strip

Start with larger 11″ and 16″ balloons
Push balloon knot through a hole in the strip
Alternate colors and sizes for organic look
Leave some holes empty for fillers
Work in one direction, keeping tension consistent

Attaching inflated balloons to decorating strip

4 Fill Gaps with Small Balloons

Apply glue dots to 5″ balloons
Press small balloons into gaps
Step back frequently to assess balance
Add more until arch looks full

Filling gaps in balloon arch with small 5-inch balloons

5 Shape and Mount Your Arch

Gently bend the strip to form your arch shape
Use command hooks or nails to secure endpoints
Add fishing line at the center if needed for support
Fluff and adjust balloons for final presentation

Shaping and mounting completed balloon arch

Pro Tips

Work indoors: Wind and sun can affect balloon longevity
Inflate same day: For best results, assemble 4-12 hours before your event
Size variation: The key to organic look is varying balloon sizes
Extra balloons: Always inflate 10-15% more than calculated for replacements

Frequently Asked Questions

Air-filled balloon arches typically last 2-3 days indoors, sometimes up to a week in ideal conditions. Outdoor arches may only last one day due to sun and temperature changes. For multi-day events, consider making the arch the night before or morning of.

Yes, you can use the traditional method of tying balloons in clusters and attaching them to fishing line or wire. However, decorating strips make the process much faster and easier, especially for beginners. The strip method also creates a more uniform result.

No! Most modern balloon arches are made with air-filled balloons attached to a decorating strip. This is more cost-effective and the balloons last longer. Helium is only needed if you want balloons that float, which is rare for arch designs.

Use a mix of sizes for the best results: 11″ balloons as your base (60-70%), 5″ balloons to fill gaps (20-30%), and 16″ balloons for accent points (10%). Varying sizes creates depth and visual interest.

Ready to Create Your Balloon Arch?

We carry everything you need: professional-grade latex balloons from Sempertex, Qualatex, Prima, and Funsational in over 200 colors, plus decorating strips, electric pumps, and glue dots. All orders placed before 12 PM CT ship same day from Memphis.

Shop Latex Balloons

About this guide: This balloon arch tutorial is based on 38 years of experience supplying professional event decorators and helping DIY customers create beautiful balloon decorations. HICO Distributing has been a trusted balloon supplier since 1987. Need help planning your arch? Call us at (800) 358-4426—our team is happy to help you calculate quantities and choose colors.