Abstract: The invention describes a method of printing onto a balloon that includes the steps of: coating the printable outer surface of a balloon with a primer material; attaching the balloon about a supporting substrate to form a balloon blank; flattening the printable outer surface of the balloon on the upper surface of the substrate; attaching a first tab on a first end of the balloon blank; attaching a second tab on a second end opposite the first end of the balloon blank; applying the balloon blank to a printer, via the first tab, which in use prints a first image onto the printable surface; and moving the balloon blank back through the printer via the second tab, which in use prints a second image onto the printable surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for printing on balloons where the priming of the balloons to receive print is substantially free of bubbles, the system comprising locally applying to a balloon external surface or to a balloon precursor sheet in a defined, limited area one of: a) a pre-shaped self adhesive label comprising a layer of primer that is adhesive-backed; b) a coating of primer that will be formed into the external surface area of a balloon wherein the remaining external surface area of the balloon is coated with a primer repellent material; c) a coating of primer by a silk screen process wherein the applied primer is subjected to a partial vacuum to draw air out from the coating and/or is subjected to the action of a roller or scraper that is held or pressed lightly against the coating to squeeze air from the coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for printing on balloons where the priming of the balloons to receive print is substantially free of bubbles, the system comprising locally applying to a balloon external surface or to a balloon precursor sheet in a defined, limited area one of: a) a pre-shaped self adhesive label comprising a layer of primer that is adhesive-backed; b) a coating of primer that will be formed into the external surface area of a balloon wherein the remaining external surface area of the balloon is coated with a primer repellent material; c) a coating of primer by a silk screen process wherein the applied primer is subjected to a partial vacuum to draw air out from the coating and/or is subjected to the action of a roller or scraper that is held or pressed lightly against the coating to squeeze air from the coating.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of printing onto a balloon that includes the steps of: coating the printable outer surface of a balloon with a primer material; attaching the balloon about a supporting substrate to form a balloon blank; flattening the printable outer surface of the balloon on the upper surface of the substrate; attaching a first tab on a first end of the balloon blank; attaching a second tab on a second end opposite the first end of the balloon blank; applying the balloon blank to a printer, via the first tab, which in use prints a first image onto the printable surface; and moving the balloon blank back through the printer via the second tab, which in use prints a second image onto the printable surface.

Abstract: An inflatable balloon comprises a plurality of distinctly shaped inflatable chambers, one or more fluid passageways allowing fluid to flow through said passageways between adjacent chambers and at least one inlet for filling said balloon with fluid, wherein said chambers are integrally formed and at least one chamber is shaped, when inflated, in a form selected from the group comprising: letters and numbers.