When to use confetti?
Any time you have something to celebrate! As well as the usual weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and New Year’s Eve parties, there are a whole host of other reasons including music videos, theatre productions, product launches, night clubs, Christmas parties, sports presentations and parades to name but a few.
Why do we throw confetti?
Because it’s fun and it makes photos look fabulous.
How is confetti made?
Rectangular confetti, the type you see on TV and at sports events, is cut using powerful guillotines that can slice through stacks of paper.
Confetti shapes are made in presses that push a steel cutter through a stack of tissue paper, similar to a cookie cutter.
What is biodegradable confetti made of?
Biodegradable tissue confetti is made from very thin paper - 17gsm to be precise.
Water soluble BioFetti is made from rice paper that is very sensitive to moisture and will start to dissolve as soon as it comes into contact with water.
BioGlitter metallic confetti is made from tissue and is printed with one shiny side and a matt coloured tissue side.
Can I use a confetti cannon inside?
Confetti cannons are safe to use indoors, but make sure you have enough room to accommodate the full range of the effect.
Further information can be found here
How many confetti cannons do I need?
We recommend firing confetti cannons in pairs, crisscrossed over the area you want to cover.
Small cannons are perfect to cover a dance floor, medium cannons will cover a theatre stage and large cannons will fill the air inside or out.
When fired outdoors, fire the cannons upwind of your audience and the confetti will drift over your guests.
Can you take a confetti cannon on a plane?
No, you cannot take a confetti cannon on a plane, either in hand luggage or checked in, as they contain compressed air.
Confetti Magic Wands come in white or multicolour and do not contain any compressed air, so are safe to take on a plane.
Read more information and exceptions here
How long does biodegradable confetti take to disappear?
The time it takes biodegradable confetti to disappear depends on what it is made of and the weather.
Tissue confetti in dry conditions can take months whereas rice paper confetti in wet conditions can be gone in less than an hour.
Rest assured, both will disappear completely over time, leaving no trace.
Further reading - "How Long Does Biodegradable Confetti Last"
How do confetti Cannons work?
In the bottom of the confetti cannon is a metal cylinder containing compressed nitrogen. In the top of the cylinder is a rubber stopper held in by a metal hinged catch. When you turn the bottom section of the cannon, the catch is released, the stopper comes out and the nitrogen shoots the confetti into the air.
What is a confetti cartridge?
A confetti cartridge is very similar to the hand held cannons but uses electricity to fire the cannon. The metal catch holing the rubber stopper into the nitrogen cylinder is held in position with a piece of cord with fuse wire woven into it. When you apply a current to the fuse wire, it heats up and breaks the cord. The metal catch releases the rubber stopper and the nitrogen pushes the confetti out of the tube. You need to have the correct equipment to fire the cartridges safely. You can hire confetti cannons here
Are confetti cannons safe?
Yes, but they are not a toy, so should only be used responsibly. Ensure you follow the instructions on every cannon and never fire a confetti cannon directly at someone close by.
Full handheld confetti cannon instructions can be found here
Do confetti cannons make smoke?
There are two types of confetti cannon - air launched and pyrotechnic.
Air launched confetti cannons use compressed air to shoot the confetti. There is no smoke and no heat. These are safe to use and can be purchased from www.ConfettiSupermarket.com with no training necessary.
Pyrotechnic cannons use an explosive charge to shoot the confetti. These produce smoke and heat. You need a special firing system to operate them plus training to purchase and use them.
Do I need a permit for a confetti cannon?
No. You can use confetti cannons at your wedding, private party or celebration with no restrictions. If you have hired a venue, we suggest you speak to them first to let them know that you would like to use confetti cannons, just in case they have their own restrictions.
If you are running a public event, you will need to write a risk assessment. We can provide you with a template to help – just give us a call.
How reliable are confetti cannons?
Our cannons are extremely reliable. We only buy the very best quality cannons, direct from the factory. There are cheaper versions on the market, but as with most things, you get what you pay for. Ours are trusted by TV production companies and West End theatres who need their cannons to work first time, every time.
How far do confetti cannons fire?
The range of a confetti cannon depends on its size and what's inside
1/ Small cannon (30cm) - Confetti up to 8 metres - Streamers up to 15 metres
2/ Medium cannon (50cm) - Confetti up to 10 metres - Streamers up to 20 metres
3/ Large cannon (80cm) - Confetti up to 12 metres - Streamers up to 25 metres
You must ensure that your room is big enough to give you the distance required for the maximum range for each size and type.
Are confetti cannons messy?
Indoors, confetti is easily cleaned up with a vacuum cleaner. Sweeping can be difficult as it can lie flat on the floor.
Outdoors, you can use a leaf blower to collect up most of the confetti. Don’t worry if some is left behind – all our tissue confetti is biodegradable.
Are confetti cannons loud?
There is a pop when you fire a confetti cannon but not a loud bang.
We have measured the sound at 99dB at 1 metre. This is less than a balloon popping.
Do I need to load the cannons?
All our Super Shooter Confetti Cannons come preloaded and ready to go. You choose the colours and we fill them for you.
How to use a confetti cannon?
1/ Pierce the paper on top of the cannon
2/ Remove the safety tape between the top and bottom sections
2/ Firmly hold the top section of the cannon with one hand and bottom section of the cannon with the other hand
3/ Point the cannon up and away from your body – never at other people or objects
4/ Twist the bottom section of the cannon to the left
Detailed instructions can be found here
How much do confetti cannons cost?
The price of a confetti cannon depends on what you choose to fill it with. Small multicolour cannons are the cheapest. Remember, there are always discounts for case quantities.
How much confetti to buy per person?
If you are buying loose confetti to throw, allow 10 to 20g per person.
