The design of ping-pong balls is determined by their function. They vary widely by quality, size and color. Competitive ping-pong typically uses either white or orange balls. The differences in color are simple, while quality and design can be affected by many other factors.
Background Color
For competitive ping-pong, the ball color selection depends on the background colors in the room. An orange ball is used in a predominately light-colored room so that the ball is more easily seen by the competitors, while a white ball is a better choice for darker rooms. Because the game is played with such speed, players need to pick up the ball as soon as possible off of their opponent's paddle, so the contrast between ball and background is critical.
Size and Makeup
Ping-pong balls can vary in size from 38 to 50 mm. Originally, the preferred size in competitive ping-pong was 38 mm, but in 2000 the International Table Tennis Federation adopted the 40 mm ball as the official size because the larger ball effectively slowed the pace, making the game more spectator and television friendly. A high-quality ball is made of a celluloid plastic material and filled with gas.
Quality Rating
A star rating is used to label the quality of ping pong balls. Balls with no stars are the cheapest and least durable. One or two stars indicate better quality with less inconsistencies in bounce, but the balls still are used mostly as recreational or practice balls. A three-star rating is the best and used at the highest levels of competition.
Novelties
Not all balls are used for competitive ping-pong. Balls with custom colors and designs can be used for casual play and as promotional items. As with many novelty items, just about any image can be imprinted on them. Custom ping-pong balls also can make colorful and interesting decorations for your home.
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