You don't owe clients your supplier links, and a friendly "I use professional-grade latex from wholesale suppliers" is a complete answer. With other decorators, sharing general sources (brands and widely known suppliers) usually helps you more than it hurts, while your color recipes, pricing and client list stay yours.
This post breaks down who's asking and why, what's fine to share and what isn't, scripts for each situation, and how to turn "send me the links" into a paid DIY kit.
Why do people ask where you buy your balloons?
It depends on who's asking:
| Who | What they usually want | What they really need from you |
|---|---|---|
| A client | To DIY it, or to compare your price to balloon cost | Confidence your price is worth it, or a DIY option you sell |
| A new decorator | A starting point | Brands and a direction, not your whole playbook |
| A local competitor | A shortcut | Nothing you owe them |
| A decorator friend | Help in an emergency | A real relationship that helps both of you |
Figuring out who's asking makes the answer easy. (For the bigger picture on suppliers themselves, see where to buy balloons wholesale.)
Should you tell clients where you buy your balloons?
Generally, no, and not because it's a secret. When a client asks for your wholesale sources, it's usually one of two things:
- They want to DIY it. That's fine. They were never your client for this event. You can still make money from it (see the DIY kit below).
- They're comparing your price to balloon cost. A bag of balloons isn't a garland. Your price covers design, labor, delivery, setup, tools, and the skill to make it look like the inspo pic. Sending links invites them to judge your work by the cheapest input.
Script: client asks for your supplier links
Great question! I use professional-grade latex from wholesale balloon suppliers, sized and color-matched by hand. The balloons are a small part of what goes into a garland; most of it is the design, build and setup. If you'd like to DIY, I offer a DIY garland kit with the exact colors, quantities and instructions. Want details?
Script: client says "I can buy balloons for way less"
You definitely can! Balloons are inexpensive; the garland is what you're paying for: the design, about [X] hours of building, delivery and setup so it's ready when guests arrive. If budget is tight, I can do a smaller version, or a DIY kit so you can build it yourself.
For more on handling price comparisons without defending every dollar, see stop justifying your prices.
Turn "send me the links" into a paid DIY kit
If enough people want to DIY, sell them the shortcut. A DIY garland kit is a product, not a favor.
What's in it: pre-counted balloons in their chosen palette, decorating strip, glue dots, a printed or video guide, and a pickup time.
Example pricing (made-up numbers, use your own):
- Balloons for an 8-ft garland: about 150 at $0.22 landed = $33.00
- Strip, glue dots, bag: $5.00
- Your time to count, sort, and pack: 30 minutes at $30/hour = $15.00
- Guide: you write it once, so no cost per kit
- Cost: $53.00
- At a 50% margin: $53 ÷ 0.5 = $106
That's a $106 sale from someone who was never going to book a full install, and some of them will book you next time after trying it themselves. Pair it with your grab and go offers; see grab and go: the slow-season offer that keeps cash moving.
Should you share supplier sources with other decorators?
This is where "gatekeeping" comes up in decorator groups, and there are good arguments on both sides.
The case for sharing:
- Brands and big suppliers aren't secrets. Anyone can search the major latex brands and the suppliers decorators mention often. Refusing to name them doesn't protect much.
- Your network is your backup plan. When a supplier ships late, the decorator you helped last spring is the one who sells you a bag of blush on Friday. See what to do when your supplier ships late.
- Referrals flow both ways. Decorators who know and trust you send overflow bookings and dates they can't take.
- Group orders with nearby decorators can cut shipping for everyone. See shipping costs are eating your margin.
The case for holding back:
- Your color recipes are your look. The double-stuff combinations and cross-brand palettes you tested for hours are what make your feed recognizable.
- Your local relationships are hard-won. A small local shop that holds stock for you, or a venue contact, isn't the same as a website anyone can find.
- Time is money. Walking every new decorator through your whole setup can become unpaid consulting.
What to share and what to keep
| Usually fine to share | Usually keep private |
|---|---|
| Which brands you like and why | Your exact color recipes and double-stuff combos |
| Widely known suppliers you order from | Local contacts who give you special help |
| General tips (sizers, storage, testing) | Your pricing formula and margins |
| Where to learn (groups, courses) | Your client list and venue relationships |
Script: a new decorator asks where you buy
Happy to help! I mostly use [brand] for latex, and I order from a couple of the big online suppliers people mention in the groups. Test a few bags before you commit to one, since stock and shipping to your area can vary. Good luck!
Short, kind, useful, and it doesn't hand over your playbook. (A general rundown of brands is in best balloon brands for professional decor.)
Script: someone wants your whole system
I love that you're getting into this! I do a few paid mentoring sessions where I walk through suppliers, colors and setup in detail. Want me to send the info?
If you don't offer mentoring, it's perfectly fine to say:
That's my whole business setup, so I keep the details for my own work, but the [group name] group has tons of great threads on suppliers. Wishing you the best!
What about a local competitor fishing for sources?
You don't have to share anything. Stay polite and short:
I order from a few different wholesale suppliers. Best of luck with your event!
No need to be cold. Today's competitor may be next month's emergency backup.
Don't post your supply chain publicly by accident
Small things give away more than you mean to:
- Supplier boxes and bags in the background of reels
- Tagging a local shop in every post
- Listing exact brand and color codes in captions
None of these are wrong; just do them on purpose. Some decorators happily share brand and color codes as content, because it builds trust with other decorators. Others keep their palettes private as part of their brand. Choose your policy and stick with it.
The bottom line
Clients don't need your links; they need confidence your price is worth it, or a DIY kit you sell. Other decorators can have your brands and general sources; your recipes, pricing, and relationships are your business. Generosity with the general stuff builds the network you'll lean on when a box is late.
When a client is weighing your quote against "I could DIY this," a professional quote page helps. Popline's Showcase plan includes quotes with automatic follow-ups, retainer buttons, and Level 2 business lessons.
Frequently asked questions
Should I give clients my balloon supplier links?
You don't need to. A friendly answer like "I use professional-grade latex from wholesale suppliers" is enough. If they want to DIY, offer a paid DIY garland kit with pre-counted balloons and instructions instead of sending links.
Is it gatekeeping to not share where I buy balloons?
Not necessarily. Brands and widely known suppliers are easy to find, so sharing those is a kind, low-cost way to help. Keeping your color recipes, local contacts and pricing private is a normal business decision, not gatekeeping.
What do I say when a client says balloons are cheaper online?
Agree that balloons are inexpensive, then explain that the price covers design, building time, delivery and setup. Offer a smaller design or a DIY kit if budget is the issue, rather than lowering your price.
Should I help other balloon decorators get started?
Helping with general advice often pays off: other decorators can become your backup supply, referral partners and group-order buddies. If someone wants your whole system, it's fine to offer paid mentoring or point them to group resources instead.