After you write your message, you would tap on the blue arrow for a few seconds then a new window will pop up. at the top of the screen, you will see "Bubble" or "Screen." If Bubble is chosen, then on the right hand side you will see choices that say "slam", "loud", "gentle", or "invisible ink." You choose one of these and it will show you the effect it will have when the recipient gets it. If you choose "Screen", you get to choose by swiping through the different backgrounds they provide. There are fireworks, laser lights etc. You can choose one, and it will give you a preview of what the recipient will see. It is pretty cool. Some texts such as Happy Birthday will automatically choose balloons. But only for typed text and not handwritten ones. Have fun!