Making a 350 Balloon Sign

It’s pretty easy and cheap to make a 350 “sign” out of balloons in the shape of the numbers. The 40” colorful metallic numbers are strikingly visible for their size. They’ll stand out.

This design has the balloons filled with air and mounted on a light PVC pole, good for carrying or mounting to a canopy. Total cost, around $25, and should be reusable.

Here’s how.

1. MATERIALS: the 40” “Megaloon” numbers are available from a number of sources. BargainBalloons.com has them cheap at $4 each

a. 40" Large Number Balloon 3 Blue Product Code: 15843BBb. 40" Large Number Balloon 5 Blue Product Code: 15845BBc. 40" Large Number Balloon 0 Blue Product Code: 15840BB

2. Get a 10’;length of ¾” PVC pipe, about $5, and a “T” connector3. Get about 9’ of ¼” fiberglass rod, from a plastics supply company. You will also need Gift scotch

tape, and recommend to have clear shipping tape on hand.4. CONSTRUCTION: Cut the PvC into a 5’ (the pole), and two 2-1/2’ lengths (the wings). Cut the ¼”

rods to about 3’ long.

5. Blow up the balloons only until firm. There will be a tab on each that has a hole:

This has some self-sealing adhesive, so you have to be careful to insert something relatively sharp, without puncturing the balloon. Recommend to use a small pen to start, then use a small inflation tube/straw. A compressor is highly recommended. Of course you could use helium, but there is no need unless you want them to float (and really have NO wind).

6. Push the two wing PVC pipes into the T connector to be the top of a big “T”. Layout the balloons to figure out where the support rods should go. Generally 1” from the ends and then near the middle, like 1” from the T connector works. Mark these spots.

7. Drill ¼” holes through the Wings at the spots, all the way through the PVC pipe. These should be lined up to be straight up if the T-connector for the pole is down.

8. ASSEMBLY: Push the 3 ¼” rods into the holes that you drilled, just enough to go all the way through (both sides of the pipe). Friction-fit should be sufficient, though you could tape them if needed.

9. Layout the balloons with the front to the ground and put the rod/pipe assembly on the back of the numbers. Attach the balloons with the Gift tape, recommend 2 pieces of tape in two or three locations. (Use shipping tape if in winds >10-15 Mph, but removing the tape will more likely damage the balloons.) Run one long strand of tape between each number to keep the numbers from twisting on the rods.Recommend a short cross piece of tape to help hold those where they attach to the balloon..

10. Put the 5’ pipe in the bottom of the T for a pole to carry it.

And there you go!

Can you spot the 350 sign? (Photo by Citisven)

For Disassembly, peel off the tape gently. Deflating the balloons requires a 6-9” straw or tube, to get past the internal “self-sealing” sleeve.

Questions/Feedback: Rand Wrobel

rand.wrobel@gmail.com510 914 2349