Last night I watched the recent episode of the balloon blast show on YouTube and It spoke about some stock that is only available from one shop in the states. This was robot heads and ninja heads. I can't understand why Qualatex go to the trouble of making the product for just for one shop to sell? Unless I have misunderstood the video.

Lorrinda at continental sales gets these made, not sure what the full situation is but she commissions them so they would not be available anywhere unless she sorted this out.
So assuming as she puts the money up front for this to happen she has exclusive rights for selling.
This is how I think it works, not 100% certain though, perhaps some from the other side of the pond know more?

I've imported from these guys before but with shipping etc the balloons are a little pricey. I guess you need to work out if the print design will add sufficient value to your business

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Graham is correct, Continental sales gets these prints custom made and have exclusive rights to sell them.

Anyone can get an small run of custom balloon prints if you are willing to put up the money for the minimum order (something like 100 bags). But most people can't afford to front that cost, and then what to do with all the extra product?

Well, that is where Lorinda at continental sales comes in. She wisely saw that there was a need for more twister imprints not currently being produced. So she began making huge investments in these new printed 5" rounds because she knew they would be useful to us.

And the best part is that she listens to what the balloon community wants. I asked her to run a line of 5" big polka dots in solid color bags (they had only come in carnival assortment at that time). And she went for it! Now there is a form on their website for other designers to submit their ideas for a new imprint.

I imagine the delivery cost is prohibitive to the UK, but I know for a fact that Continental Sales does a lot of international business and their customer service is great!

Hope that helps


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I used to have football prints on 5" a few years back..covered our summer season contract....ordered via Qualatex printing... (option 2 when you ring the company number)

but I did order them by the 1000's...

I asked and had permission for them to be the Qualatex design printed on 11" but If you want to have a special print, that you have designed and have copyright over I am sure they will do them if you ask and order enough of them  (I know 5" are not the ones people love to print on most, so you have to be prepared to pay for them)


I also know designs that people have paid for to be printed and have become very popular have also made it into the companies catalogue, so you never know

Pam
xx