Source: noelito via Printables

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99 Tied Balloons!

Avoid Pain with a Balloon Tying Tool

by Moira Daly
Published Jul 21, 2025

Whether for dazzling decor or to prep for a water balloon fight, this clever design will come in handy – pun intended.

Comments

Balloons can be fun! Just ask Ann Perkins or the Taskmaster cast (no, seriously, there are many balloon–related tasks).

If you’ve ever had to add some for decor, whether for a birthday, baby shower, or just for any random reason, you’ll know that they can make any space lively. But at what cost? Oh, those poor fingers… The struggle is real when it comes to tying balloon after balloon after balloon, and here’s where this Thing of the Week floats in.

Combining practicality, an easy print, little filament use, and relief to hands, this balloon tying tool is a must for anyone anticipating any celebration or a water balloon fight. (Are we regretting not having seen this months ago for a variety of events? Yes. Learn from our ignorance, slice, 3D print, and give your fingers a much deserved break.)

3D Printing Tips

Image of: — A proven design (Source: Bart via Printables)

The simple design prints with straightforward settings, as shared by the designer: A 0.2-mm layer height on a printer with a 0.4-mm nozzle, and opting for PLA, have apparently done the trick nicely. While no infill has been specified, a standard 15-20% should work, as the part doesn’t require excessive strength or durability. The model takes less than an hour to print, which means you can be good to go quite quickly if you get a last-minute notice of the party or water balloon fight.

To keep things easy and avoiding waste, a skirt apparently works. Still, if you face any first layer adhesion hiccups, other adhesion assistants should help. A maker appears to have opted for mouse ears, as available in Orca Slicer, for example.

To make it easier to customize if needed and for plenty of variety of options, the designer shared the file in five different formats: STL, 3MF, STEP, F3D, and as G-code (apparently sliced for a Creality Ender 3 V3 SE).

Who’s the Creator?

Maker noelito has shared 11 makes on Printables, and while he doesn’t have a Club or special subscription offer, following him is the way to go to stay up to date with his uploads. Practicality appears to be the motivator of his designs, as he’s also posted a corner marking tool, a key bow, and a sliding door floor guide, among others.