Top 3 Questions Asked by Beginner Balloon Entertainers
Part two of three.
Here is the second most popular question asked by new balloon entertainers.
Editors Notes: This article was originally posted on Nov 13, 2013, revamped and updated for accuracy.
Question: Which balloons are better, Betallatex or Qualatex?
Answer: There are two major balloon manufacturers, Pioneer Balloon Company and Betalic LLC. Both manufacturers produce mylar and latex balloons. For this article, I will be talking about latex balloons.
Each manufacturer makes a series of balloon sizes, and their numbering denotes size and length, i.e., 260 balloons are the standard twisting balloon. It is 2-inches in diameter and 60-inches long. The balloon industry shorthand means the manufacturer by placing a B or Q after the number. B is Betallatex, while Q represents Qualatex.
Betalic LLC produces a line of balloons called Betallatex®, which comes in various sizes; 160, 260, 360, 660 Latex balloons. They have 75 colors to choose from, and most, if not all, of the colors, are in the entire product line.
- New are Betallatex Reflex balloons come in 7 vibrant colors Pink, Key Lime, Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Violet, and Blue.
Pioneer Balloon Company produces Qualatex®, 60 colors, but not all colors are made in 160, 260, 350, or 646 formats.
- New Qualatex Chrome balloons Green, Blue, Silver, Gold, Purple, Rose Gold, Copper, and Mauve.
The Difference
Q-Balloons
I have used the Q balloons for 20-years, and when I was first introduced to them, I found them fantastic, bright and had a great feel. I would describe this experience as a child having ice cream for the very first time.
Q has been working hard over the past thirty years to produce new colors, sizes, and new shapes. Yet, I have seen the quality slip with the increase in production. To the nonprofessionals, this is no big deal. A case of balloons that slip past quality control does not affect anybody, except for an entertainer. A defective bag reflects directly on their skills, entertainment level, and reputation.
Consistent problems I have seen over the past 20 years include weak balloons, to the point that you can feel the difference not only in color but also in invisibility. Pinholes caused by a dirty or defective mold cause the balloon to explode or slowly deflate on inflation. Conjoined twins are an industry term for when two balloons are bonded together. During the product’s manufacturing, two latex balloons have adhered to each other, forming one balloon with two nozzles and two tails.
Length is consistent, color never varies, and overall durability is excellent. Many entertainers have described Q balloons as being oily or shiny latex. After extensive balloon twisting, the colors do wear off on the hands, and it is common to have greenish hands after twisting a couple of hundred emerald green balloons.
B-Balloons
When Betalic first introduced their 260 balloons to the industry, I was not a fan. For me, it was chocolate ice cream, nice, but not my favorite flavor.
In the early years, product quality was a big issue. It was not strange to open a bag of balloons and find different lengths or balloons with no nozzles. But I am reminiscing; let us jump to the present.
The B balloons have multiplied in my balloon apron and now consume 95% of all the balloons I twist. The length issues are gone. Balloons with no nozzles are gone; all that remains is a very consistent latex balloon.
Like the Q balloons, the durability, strength, and color retention are the same. Twist 100 B red balloons, and you have a reddish film over your hands.
In the early years, B had the reputation of exploding on inflation. This is no longer a big issue. I feel B has solved this problem, which I initially blamed on the drying process when the balloon is manufactured. If the balloon is dry too quickly, the balloon becomes brittle, and latex does not expand fast enough; thus, the balloon explodes.
As an entertainer, I can reduce the occasional exploding balloon by giving the balloon a quick stretch before inflation, but this does not guarantee it will not explode.
The overall texture of a B balloon is on the dry side, and entertainers accustomed to Q balloons instantly complain about the texture of the balloon. I would describe it as switching from whole milk to 2% milk. Immediately you notice the difference in texture. However, once you have been drinking the 2% milk for a month, it is just milk.
Noticeable Differences.
- Q balloons have a rounded tip, undeflated, while B has a pointed tip
- Both have multiple shades of color, to the point that you only need one shade, not both
- Both are sold in packs of 50 Nozzel up
- B has a 360 balloon, while Q produces a 350
- B blush is peach until inflated, and then it looks very close to a Q blush
- Q has pinholes and conjoined twins, while B has the occasional exploding balloon
Conclusion
I prefer the Batallic’s Betallatex balloon to Q, just because I hate having a faulty balloon in my apron. In my experience, B’s consistency for quality has outproduced Q consistency, and since my entertainment career is so closely intertwined with the quality of the product, I choose Betallatex.
We all have loyalties to manufacturers and have our reasons why we prefer one over the other. I hope that what I have outlined above will allow you to try each manufacturer for yourself and choose the balloon which is best for your career as a balloon entertainer.
Thanks Dale fr sharing.
I have the same concern n problem about using the balloons. I think the Qualatex balloons here in Asia is worst. The quality has dropped tremendously.. After inflated,they are of different width n length. I told my class, I’m using the best balloons.. and they asked me why they are in different length? Occasionally they are in twins, different colour tone in one balloon, thinning holes.. on d whole the balloons are much thinner and the frustration is they pop so easily, twist by an experienced twister.. and so tiresome having to twist so many sculptures for so many people, when almost done they popped! Feel like giving up. Is there a shortage in rubber, I wonder!! And they are not cheap!!
Who do you order from, if I may ask? Ive been ordering from La Rocks.
Sincerely, Theresa
Dale, thank you for the article. My bag is mostly B balloons because of quality, length and color. But I recommend all artists to try both brands to find which works for them.
Hi,
I’m new and comparing both Q and B. Would love a forum where the colors can be more accurately described… as compared to the catalog. For example, I find the Q Brown to be a really nice true brown, while the B brown (both called chocolate I believe) to be have a pearly gray tint to it. Now, I have a bag I don’t want to go to waste, but it would have been nice to learn about these differences. They both look alike in the catalog.
Liana Morgen click link below u will see Betallic has a great charts to view size n colors.
http://www.betallic.com/Products/
There is a great article about the colors. It is a blog. If you search “daily purple pig” the article on color was great!!
I have also seen how terrible the Q balloons have become and when I told Qualetex about it I was met with hostilities. Claiming they never have had this problem before. I had a bunch of balloons globbed together and were completely unfit for use. The quality control person I talked to tried to pin it on something I did. I told him the only mistake I made in this was buying their product. What a horrible company but they are the only balloons I like and I’m not sure how much they are in the states but they are expensive here in Canada.
I’m always fond & fascinated with Qualatex brand balloons. Of course, sometimes there is a small percentage of defective balloons due to weak spots. Nothing is perfect in general.
Betallatex is Junk, I have been Loyal to Qualatex and could not get a rush order on my Favorites so i had to order Betallatex 260’s and 160’s…. I had so many pop even if i let the air out the balloon or the kids would have them pop when they left me with a Easter Bunny, Chick, Floppy Eared Dog or Chick…. I was so mad i told them i was sorry and i would stop now….. Betallatex 260B and 160B are Junk. I will never order them even at last resort. I don’t know anyone that is Loyal to Betallatex Balloons……..Sorry but that is my Opinion and that of Several other Shriner Clowns and Balloon Artist.