# HICO Distributing — Complete Business and Product Documentation

> Balloon and event supply distributor based in Memphis, Tennessee, serving wholesale and retail customers nationwide. Nearly 1,000 products including latex balloons, foil balloons, balloon accessories, and car dealership advertising supplies from Qualatex, Sempertex, Prima, and Funsational.

Website: https://hicomemphis.com
Shop: https://hicomemphis.com/shop/

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# About Us

HICO Distributing is a balloon and event supply distributor headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. We serve both wholesale and retail customers nationwide across the United States, providing professional-grade balloon supplies, event decorations, and car dealership advertising materials.

## Who We Serve

HICO Distributing supplies a broad range of customers, including:

- **Professional balloon decorators and artists** who need reliable bulk supplies of latex balloons, entertainer balloons, and accessories for garlands, arches, columns, and custom installations
- **Event planners and venues** sourcing balloons and decor for weddings, corporate events, birthdays, baby showers, graduations, and holiday celebrations
- **Party supply retailers** looking for wholesale pricing on balloons from major manufacturers
- **Car dealerships** purchasing promotional supplies like swooper flags, windshield banners, car window flags, hood signs, and car bows
- **Individual consumers** shopping for balloons and supplies for personal celebrations

## What Makes HICO Different

- **Fast, reliable nationwide shipping** — Orders are fulfilled from our Memphis facility and shipped across the United States
- **Deep industry expertise** — HICO has extensive knowledge of the balloon and event supply industry, helping customers choose the right products for their needs
- **Wide product selection** — Nearly 1,000 products spanning every major balloon brand, color, size, and accessory category
- **Both wholesale and retail** — Whether you need a single pack for a party or bulk cases for your business, HICO accommodates orders of all sizes

## Business Details

- **Business Name:** HICO Distributing
- **Type:** Balloon and event supply distributor (wholesale and retail)
- **Location:** Memphis, Tennessee, United States
- **Website:** https://hicomemphis.com
- **Online Store:** https://hicomemphis.com/shop/
- **Service Area:** Nationwide United States shipping via UPS; local pickup available in Memphis, TN
- **Brands Carried:** Qualatex (Pioneer Balloon Company), Sempertex, Prima, Funsational
- **Product Count:** 977 published products
- **Payment:** Major credit cards via Authorize.net

HICO Distributing operates from Memphis, Tennessee, with both a physical location and a full-featured online store at https://hicomemphis.com.

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# Product Catalog Overview

HICO Distributing carries nearly 1,000 products across two main segments: **balloons and balloon supplies** and **car dealership advertising materials**. All products are available at https://hicomemphis.com/shop/.

## Latex Balloons (480+ products)

Latex balloons are the core of our catalog, available from four major manufacturers in a full range of sizes, colors, and finishes.

### Available Sizes
- **5-inch** — Small accent balloons for garlands, balloon mosaics, and fillers
- **11-inch** — The most popular standard balloon size for helium bouquets, arches, and general decorating
- **16-inch** — Larger latex balloons for statement pieces and organic balloon designs
- **18-inch** — Large latex balloons available from select brands
- **24-inch** — Extra-large latex for centerpieces and jumbo displays
- **36-inch (3-foot)** — Giant latex balloons for dramatic installations and confetti balloons
- **160Q** — Thin pencil-shaped balloons for detail work and line designs
- **260Q** — Standard entertainer/twisting balloons used by balloon artists for sculptures and animals
- **350Q** — Large entertainer balloons for oversized balloon art

### Color Ranges
- **Solid/Fashion Colors** — Standard opaque colors (red, blue, green, yellow, orange, black, white, etc.)
- **Jewel Colors** — Rich, transparent gem-tone colors
- **Pastel/Matte Colors** — Soft, muted tones popular for modern event design
- **Pearl/Metallic Colors** — Shimmering finishes for elegant events
- **Chrome/Reflex Colors** — High-shine mirror-like finishes
- **Deluxe Colors** — Premium rich tones exclusive to Sempertex
- **Neon Colors** — Bright, vibrant colors for parties

## Foil and Mylar Balloons (67 products)

- **18-inch round and heart foil balloons** in solid metallic colors (gold, silver, rose, white, black, and more)
- **18-inch star-shaped foils** in metallic gold, silver, and white
- **Starburst/spike balloons** in 26-inch and 40-inch sizes
- **Themed printed foils** for birthdays, holidays, baby showers, and occasions

## Themed and Occasion Balloons

- **Birthday Balloons** — Happy birthday printed mylar balloons and birthday-themed designs
- **Wedding Balloons** — White, ivory, pearl, blush, champagne, rose gold, gold, silver, eucalyptus, hearts, and other wedding-palette balloons
- **Baby Shower Balloons** — Baby boy, baby girl prints, baby blue, and baby pink balloons
- **Graduation Balloons** — Congrats-themed mylar balloons
- **Corporate Balloons** — Chrome, metallic, reflex, and glam finishes suitable for professional events, plus grand opening and sale-themed balloons
- **Holiday Balloons** — Valentine's Day, Halloween, Christmas, St. Patrick's Day, and Mother's Day themed balloons

## Balloon Accessories (71 products)

- **Balloon ribbon** — Curling ribbon in a wide range of colors for tying and decorating
- **Balloon weights** — Various styles to anchor helium-filled balloons
- **Hi-Float** — Gel treatment that extends helium float time for latex balloons
- **Helium regulators** — Attach to helium tanks for controlled balloon inflation
- **Balloon inflators and pumps** — Electric and hand pumps for air inflation
- **Clips, nets, and string** — Assembly and display hardware
- **Balloon displays** — Stands and structures for balloon arrangements

## Outdoor and Giant Balloons

- **Cloud Busters** — Giant 5.5-foot and 8-foot balloons for maximum outdoor visibility
- **Skydancers** — Inflatable tube dancers for advertising and events
- **Outdoor display balloons** — 17-inch weather-resistant balloons in standard and metallic colors

## Car Dealership Supplies (354 products)

- **Swooper flags** — Tall, attention-grabbing feather flags for lot advertising
- **Windshield banners** — Vinyl banners placed across vehicle windshields
- **Car window flags** — Clip-on flags for vehicle windows
- **Hood signs** — Signs that sit on vehicle hoods
- **Flat top flags** — Rigid-top advertising flags
- **Cloth banners** — Durable fabric banners for indoor and outdoor use
- **Car bows** — Large decorative bows for vehicle sales and promotions

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# Balloon Brand Guide

HICO Distributing carries balloons from four major manufacturers. Each brand offers distinct color palettes, finishes, and product lines. All brands are treated equally and stocked in depth.

## Qualatex

Qualatex is manufactured by Pioneer Balloon Company and is one of the most recognized names in the professional balloon industry.

- **Color Lines:** Fashion Colors (solid opaque), Jewel Colors (transparent gem tones), Pastel Pearl Colors, Radiant Pearl Colors, Chrome Colors (mirror-finish), Metallic Colors, Standard Colors, Neon Colors, Rainbow Colors
- **Sizes Available:** 5-inch, 11-inch, 16-inch, 36-inch (3-foot)
- **Entertainer Balloons:** 160Q, 260Q, 350Q for balloon twisting and sculpture
- **Specialty:** Heart-shaped balloons (6-inch), Quick Link balloons (self-tying), stock print balloons with pre-printed designs
- **Assortments:** Pre-mixed color packs for convenience
- **Best Known For:** Consistent quality, widest color range, industry standard for professional decorators

## Sempertex

Sempertex is a Colombian manufacturer offering premium balloons with unique color finishes not found elsewhere.

- **Color Lines:** Fashion Colors (solid opaque), Deluxe Colors (rich saturated tones), Matte/Pastel Colors (soft muted finishes), Reflex Colors (chrome-like metallic), Silk/Cream/Pearl/Metallic finishes, Heart Shape balloons
- **Sizes Available:** 5-inch, 11-inch, 18-inch, 24-inch, 36-inch
- **Entertainer Balloons:** 260b for balloon twisting
- **Specialty:** LINK-O-LOON balloons (balloons with built-in linking tails for garlands and arches), Dusk Colors (dusty muted tones), Deluxe color range
- **Best Known For:** Unique Deluxe and Dusk color palettes, matte pastels, and Reflex metallic finishes popular in modern event design

## Prima

Prima balloons offer quality latex at accessible price points.

- **Color Lines:** Solid Colors, Glam Colors (metallic gold and silver finishes)
- **Sizes Available:** 5-inch, 11-inch, 18-inch
- **Best Known For:** Trending colors like Dusty Rose, Blush, French Rose, Mango, and Ivory; strong selection of boho and wedding-palette colors

## Funsational

Funsational provides reliable balloons in standard decorator sizes at competitive pricing.

- **Color Lines:** Standard Colors (solid opaque), Pearl Colors (shimmering), Crystal Colors (transparent)
- **Sizes Available:** 7-inch and 12-inch
- **Best Known For:** Affordable bulk packs in popular colors, good value for large-volume events

## Brand Comparison Summary

| Feature | Qualatex | Sempertex | Prima | Funsational |
|---------|----------|-----------|-------|-------------|
| Sizes | 5" to 3ft + 160Q/260Q/350Q | 5" to 36" + 260b | 5" to 18" | 7" and 12" |
| Color Variety | Widest range | Unique Deluxe/Dusk/Matte | Trending palettes | Core colors |
| Metallic/Chrome | Chrome Colors | Reflex Colors | Glam Colors | Pearl Colors |
| Entertainer | 160Q, 260Q, 350Q | 260b | — | — |
| Specialty | Quick Link, Heart, Stock Print | LINK-O-LOON, Heart | — | — |
| Strength | Industry standard | Modern design palettes | Boho/wedding colors | Value pricing |

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# 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

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# Product Categories

Complete list of product categories available at https://hicomemphis.com/shop/.

## Color Theme Categories

### Boho Neutrals (45 products)
Warm, earthy, muted tones popular for boho-style weddings, rustic events, and organic balloon garlands. Colors include cashmere, ivory, champagne, sage, eucalyptus, latte, white sand, mocha, clay, almond, vanilla, and blush.

Shop: https://hicomemphis.com/products/boho-neutrals/

### Pastel Rainbow (97 products)
Soft, muted pastel shades for baby showers, spring events, and dreamy installations. Includes pastel pink, baby blue, mint green, lilac, lavender, pearl tones, matte pastels, robin's egg blue, periwinkle, and dusk colors.

Shop: https://hicomemphis.com/products/pastel-rainbow/

### Dusty Rose (24 products)
Romantic pink and rose tones spanning from soft blush-rose to deep rosewood. Colors include rose, dusty rose, French rose, dusk rose, rosewood, mauve, and rose gold.

Shop: https://hicomemphis.com/products/dusty-rose/

### Tropical Vibes (51 products)
Bold, vibrant colors inspired by tropical settings. Includes coral, tropical coral, teal, deep teal, turquoise, lime green, key lime, fuchsia, mango, mandarin orange, sunset orange, and caribbean blue.

Shop: https://hicomemphis.com/products/tropical-vibes/

## Occasion Categories

### Wedding Balloons (136 products)
The most comprehensive wedding balloon selection, including all the classic wedding-palette colors: white, pearl white, ivory, blush, peach blush, champagne, rose gold, chrome rose gold, gold, silver, eucalyptus, dusty rose, French rose, rosewood, mauve, kiss me pink, latte, cashmere, diamond clear, pearl pink, pearl lavender, pearl peach, and pearl lemon chiffon. Available across all sizes and brands.

Shop: https://hicomemphis.com/products/wedding-balloons/

### Birthday Balloons (7 products)
Birthday-themed printed mylar balloons featuring happy birthday messages, cupcake designs, and confetti prints.

Shop: https://hicomemphis.com/products/birthday-balloons/

### Baby Shower Balloons (7 products)
Baby-themed balloons including baby boy and baby girl printed mylars, plus baby blue and baby pink latex balloons.

Shop: https://hicomemphis.com/products/baby-shower-balloons/

### Graduation Balloons (2 products)
Congratulations-themed mylar balloons suitable for graduation celebrations.

Shop: https://hicomemphis.com/products/graduation-balloons/

### Corporate Balloons (65 products)
Professional-quality balloons in metallic, chrome, and reflex finishes ideal for corporate events, grand openings, and business promotions. Includes chrome gold, chrome silver, chrome rose gold, reflex gold, reflex silver, reflex champagne, glam gold, glam silver, plus grand opening and sale-themed printed balloons.

Shop: https://hicomemphis.com/products/corporate-balloons/

### Holiday Balloons (22 products)
Seasonal and holiday-themed balloons covering Valentine's Day (hearts, love themes), Halloween (ghosts, pumpkins, witches, skulls), Christmas (Santa, tree designs), St. Patrick's Day (shamrocks, leprechauns), and Mother's Day.

Shop: https://hicomemphis.com/products/holiday-balloons/

## Balloon Type Categories

### Latex Balloons (482 products)
All latex balloons across every brand, color, and size. The broadest category covering standard round balloons from 5-inch to 36-inch plus entertainer/twisting balloons.

Shop: https://hicomemphis.com/products/latex-balloons/

### Foil Balloons (67 products)
Metallic foil balloons in round, heart, and star shapes, plus themed seasonal prints and decorative starburst shapes.

Shop: https://hicomemphis.com/products/foil-balloons/

### Balloon Accessories (71 products)
Everything needed to work with balloons: ribbon, weights, Hi-Float, helium regulators, inflators, pumps, clips, nets, string, and display hardware.

Shop: https://hicomemphis.com/products/balloon-accessories/

## Brand Categories

### Qualatex Latex Balloons (201 products)
The full Qualatex range including Fashion, Jewel, Pastel Pearl, Radiant Pearl, Chrome, Metallic, Standard, Neon, and Rainbow color lines across all sizes. Plus entertainer balloons in 160Q, 260Q, and 350Q.

### Sempertex Latex Balloons (217 products)
Complete Sempertex selection featuring Fashion, Deluxe, Matte/Pastel, Reflex, Silk/Cream/Pearl/Metallic color lines. Includes LINK-O-LOON balloons and 260b entertainer balloons.

### Prima Latex Balloons (41 products)
Prima balloons in Solid and Glam color lines, featuring popular trending colors like Dusty Rose, Blush, French Rose, Mango, and Ivory.

### Funsational Latex Balloons (25 products)
Funsational balloons in Standard, Pearl, and Crystal color lines in 7-inch and 12-inch sizes.

## Car Dealership Supplies (354 products)

- **Swooper Flags (64)** — Tall feather-style flags for lot visibility
- **Windshield Banners (81)** — Vinyl banners for vehicle windshields
- **Car Window Flags (56)** — Clip-on flags for vehicle windows
- **Hood Signs (40)** — Signs placed on vehicle hoods
- **Flat Top Flags (31)** — Rigid-top advertising flags
- **Cloth Banners (13)** — Durable fabric banners
- **Car Bows (6)** — Large decorative bows for vehicle presentations

Shop: https://hicomemphis.com/products/car-dealerships/

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# Ordering and Shipping

## How to Order

All products are available for purchase online at https://hicomemphis.com/shop/. Browse by category, brand, color, or occasion, add items to your cart, and check out securely.

## Shipping

HICO Distributing ships nationwide across the United States from our Memphis, Tennessee facility.

- Orders are shipped via UPS
- Shipping rates are calculated at checkout based on order weight and destination
- Standard ground shipping is available to all 50 states

## Local Pickup

Customers in the Memphis, Tennessee area may visit our physical location for in-person shopping and pickup.

## Payment

HICO accepts major credit cards via Authorize.net secure payment processing.

## Bulk and Wholesale Orders

HICO serves both retail and wholesale customers. For large volume orders or wholesale pricing inquiries, contact us through the website at https://hicomemphis.com.

## Returns and Support

For questions about orders, products, or returns, visit https://hicomemphis.com to reach our support team.

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# Service Areas — Helium Tank Rental

HICO Distributing offers helium tank rental and balloon supplies with service coverage in the Mid-South region.

## Memphis, Tennessee
Helium tank rental and balloon supplies for the Memphis metro area including Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, and Southaven, MS.
https://hicomemphis.com/helium-tank-rental-memphis/

## Nashville, Tennessee
Helium tank rental and balloon supplies for the Nashville metro area.
https://hicomemphis.com/helium-tank-rental-nashville/

## Little Rock, Arkansas
Helium tank rental and balloon supplies for the Little Rock metro area.
https://hicomemphis.com/helium-tank-rental-little-rock/

## Jonesboro, Arkansas
Helium tank rental and balloon supplies for the Jonesboro area.
https://hicomemphis.com/helium-tank-rental-jonesboro/