Balloons are fun tools for more than just parties. There are several ways you can use balloons in fundraisers for schools, not-for-profit organizations, and religious groups.

You simply fill balloons with pieces of paper indicating either increments of money, coupons for free products (donated from a corporate sponsor) or a "thanks for playing" card. You sell the balloons for a certain amount (which you set depending on your demographic), and at the end of the event you have everyone pop their balloons to see what they have won.

Printing on latex balloons Printed latex balloons are inflated while the printing takes place, screen printed, then deflated, drummed in rotating industrial dryers to shrink them back to "like new," and packaged. This is why printed latex balloons are so much more expensive than unprinted balloons.

Any camera-ready artwork can be imprinted on latex balloons (as long as it does not infringe on copyright). Balloons are printed using several different methods or types of printing depending upon the quantity, balloon size, delivery date, and other factors invloved in the order. All balloons are printed in an inflated state with the two methods described below.

The second method of printing is silk screening. This method has the balloon in a flat, uninflated condition for printing. A silk screen, into which an image has been etched, is then laid over the balloon, and ink is forced through the mesh in the screen in the image area and onto the balloon. The non-image area does not permit ink to penetrate, thereby putting ink only in the image area. Silk screening is also done on inflated balloons by using a holding device and slightly compressing the surface of the printing area with the screen prior to applying the ink. This type of screening is done with an automatic machine on small to medium size balloons.

When balloons are inflated for printing, they are only inflated to approximately 75 to 80 percent of the total capacity. This gives the proper tension to the surface of the balloon for ink transfer. Immediately upon placing the image on the balloon surface, the balloon is released and deflation begins.

By the time the balloon is delfated, the ink must be dry to prevent offsetting onto other balloons. Specialized ink must be used that will bite into the surface of the balloon and yet not go far enough below the surface to penetrate completely throughout to the interior, causing holes in the balloon. Contrary to popular belief, balloons are not hand stamped in a deflated condition. Printing alternative: a rubber stamp with quick-drying ink can be used to imprint on an inflated balloon. Balloon Printing Machines and Services There are companies that offer balloon printing services. Having balloons custom-printed is much like having T-Shirts silk-screened. The customer supplies the artwork and picks a quantity, and the company fills the order. In recent years, a few companies have introduced services for printing on 260 balloons. There are also companies which manufacture and sell balloon printing machines to businesses.