What’s the Best Confetti Gear for Me?
There’s no better way to get the party started with a bang than by firing off confetti and streamers. Since you can get handheld confetti cannons, electronic confetti shooters, CO2 shooters, blowers, and more, what gives you best and biggest spread and what’s the best kind of confetti gear for you? To help, we offer the answers to your most frequently asked questions about confetti. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, feel free to contact us!
Uses | Kinds | Shooters | Flammable? | Direction | Location | Length | Clean Up | Hazardous? | More
1. What Can You Use Confetti For?
Confetti is the perfect visual effect for getting maximum impact at the right moment. Say someone just won a heap of cash on a TV quiz show; the first runner has just crossed the finish line of a marathon; or the guitarist just finished off a blistering solo - whatever the moment, what better way to mark it than with an impressive explosion of colour?
Handheld Cannons
Confetti Machines
Confetti Filling
Streamer Filling
Electric Cannons (for Base Stations)
2. What Kind of Confetti Can I Get?
There are roughly two kinds of confetti: traditional confetti and streamers. Traditional confetti is made up tiny bits of paper that can come in any shape like little squares or even butterflies, stars, or hearts. They also come in all the colours of the rainbow as well as shiny metallic colours. Metallic confetti is particularly effective since, when combined with stage lighting, it creates an extra-intense explosion of ‘glitter’. Streamers are long strips of paper that also come in the same varied range of colours, and since their shape shoots out in a more straight line than traditional confetti, they have a wider spread.
Handheld Confetti Cannons
Handheld Streamer Cannons
Confetti Filling
Streamer Filling
Electric Confetti Cannons
Electric Streamer Cannons
3. How Do You Shoot Confetti?
Handheld cannons are the easiest method. These are single-use tubes with an end that can be twisted to break a seal and activate an internal nitrogen cartridge that blasts the confetti out of the tube. For most small to medium-sized events, handheld cannons are the best option. There are also empty handheld cannons available that can be filled with any confetti you want.
Electric cannons are designed for bigger events. These are also single-use tubes but are activated electronically via a specially designed base station. Simply load in an electric cannon and when electricity is sent through the base station (via an external switch for example), confetti is shot into the air.
Fan systems are filled with your confetti of choice. These systems have a built-in fan that don’t necessarily create a big, sudden explosion but a more even rain of confetti.
CO2 shooters are also filled with your confetti of choice. Since shooters need to be hooked up to a CO2 gas tank and deliver the biggest, most impressive effect, they’re more designed for professional use.
Handheld Cannons
Empty Handheld Confetti Shooters
Electric Cannons (for Base Stations)
Base Stations, CO2 Shooters & Other Confetti Machines
4. Is Confetti a Fire Risk?
Yes and no. Confetti is paper, and paper can burn. Shooting confetti at or near an open flame or fire is therefore never a good idea. However, it’s worth knowing that many confetti manufacturers impregnate their confetti to make it flame resistant. If you look at the specification listed on the product pages of all of the confetti we have available, you can check if certain confetti has been impregnated. Note: always read the instructions and warnings printed on the packaging of any confetti or shooters.
5. How Should You Use a Confetti Cannon Safely?
When used correctly, confetti cannons are completely safe. But what’s the correct way to use a confetti cannon? It goes without saying that they shouldn't be shot directly at people or animals since, while they only shoot out little pieces of paper, those little pieces of paper are shot out with considerable force. As such, the best direction in which to point your canon or shooter is up. When using handheld cannons, make sure that the end with the seal is at the bottom, so that the confetti is shot up and into the air. Also, make sure to never load a cannon into a base station or other confetti machine the wrong way up. See Question 6.
6. Where Can I Use Confetti Shooters?
Well, it’s never going to be a good idea to use a confetti cannon or shooter in a living room full of antique vases and other expensive breakables. An average base station that fires electric cannons is generally designed for outdoor events or really large television studios. This is because base stations generate an immense amount of force. This doesn’t apply so much with fan-based confetti systems. See Question 7.
7. How Long Should a Confetti Cannon Be?
Handheld cannons are available in various different lengths. Longer cannons are able to hold more confetti, so you get a bigger explosion of confetti. A longer tube also ensures a wider spread. So, the length of the cannon you need depends on what you want it to do. A short cannon (around 30cm long) is great for smaller events, like the end of a half-marathon, or even parties, while a longer cannon (around 80cm long) is better for larger events that demand more confetti, like the opening night of a musical or a big performance.
Handheld Cannons: 0 to 49cm
Handheld Cannons: 50 to 99cm
Electric Cannons (for Base Stations)
8. Who Cleans Up the Confetti?
Basically, it’s always wise to decide who’s in charge of the clean up before you start shooting. Cleaning up confetti is especially important when firing cannons outside, since it essentially litters the street and natural surroundings. But if you happen to miss a few little pieces of confetti, then it’s not that big a problem because most of the confetti we have available is biodegradable. To be absolutely sure of this, always check the specifications of the confetti you’re thinking about picking up. See Question 9.
9. Can Confetti be Hazardous?
Unfortunately, there is always the possibility of settled confetti getting wet. Always try to avoid this, not only because it can become hazardous but because it can actually stain the floor. The combination of a concrete floor, moisture, and confetti is never recommended. It can also be a big problem on wooden floors and tarpaulin. As such, always read the instructions on the confetti packaging and check online to see if certain floor materials are more sensitive to staining. Tip: after the confetti has been shot, give the floor a sweep to clear it and prevent any confetti from settling.
Links & More Information
Product Categories
Handheld Cannons
Confetti Machines
Confetti Filling
Streamer Filling
Electric Cannons (for Base Stations)
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