Hyne Timber is one of Australia’s largest manufacturers and distributors in timber products. Their product range includes the T2 red, T2 blue, and termite-resistant T3 Green timber; the third being our star for this project. Hyne Timber required a promotional inflatable mascot to be used on-site by their sales team, as a big and bold advertising attraction. The main requirement was to have an inflatable that was easy to use, quick to set up, effortless to pack up at the end of the day, and of course, eye catching!

The Beginning Of A Great Mascot

Before we began the creative process, we sat down with the client and discussed the initial concepts for their promotional inflatable mascot. It was crucial to align our priorities with that of the client’s, as every inflatable we create is specifically tailored to the client’s needs. 

To kick-start the process, the client provided us with 2D drawings of the mascot with its front, back, and side view and highlighted the inclusion of the toolbelt as a special feature. After noting the design and the client’s intention to use the unit for indoor and outdoor events - we noted that attaching ropes from the inflatable mascot to the ground could potentially create a hazard for indoor and outdoor events alike.

We agreed that the best option was to design a base that would provide stabilisation to the promotional inflatable mascot, creating a secure base for the upper body of the inflatable mascot as it would be too heavy to be supported by the feet alone without ropes securing to the ground.

As every unit created by Inflatable Anything is bespoke, it is always considered a prototype. We could only see how stable the promotional inflatable mascot was after the production stage concluded, so we agreed that we would create a provision within the design to have attachment points on the promotional inflatable mascot to be attached to the base. Providing an option during outdoor events when the weather is not reliable, to have another method to support the promotional inflatable mascot. 

3D Artwork

Subsequent to understanding the concept and making the necessary adjustments to the design, our creative team utilised the 3D CAD software to create the promotional inflatable mascot. We designed the unit to be 2.7 m high including the inflatable base, allowing the mascot to stand tall and proud while inflated.

Our recommendation was to have the inflatable base to include a zip which would allow additional weights to be put inside the base to help weigh the mascot down, a suggestion that was well-received by the client. The client gave their approval to the final design and we set off to manufacturing the promotional inflatable mascot. There was no hiding how ecstatic we were to see how the unit turned out; it was something incredibly special that we have never done before and couldn’t wait to bring the design to life!

Bringing T3 To Life

The production team received the design from our creative team and immediately began the process as they understood the need to be swift in manufacturing Hyne’s promotional inflatable mascot. With our team’s skill and expertise, we assembled the high-quality unit ready to be delivered to the client.

Before the promotional inflatable mascot left our office, we carried out quality control procedures. One of the procedures was the trial set-up of the inflatable to ensure the internal blower in the base was perfectly functional once plugged into a power source. It was at this stage that we found the unit to be stable without the ropes. The mascot could stand upright on its own, adding to the general aesthetic of the unit. Everyone was thrilled with the outcome.

Once the unit was checked thoroughly, the promotional inflatable mascot was on its way to Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

T3 In Action

After the client received the delivery of the promotional inflatable mascot, we received a call that had us jumping up and down in delight. The promotional inflatable mascot received stellar reviews which had our chest puffing out with pride. The client absolutely loved the final product, especially the details we had done with the toolbelt, including: the hammer, wrench, and other tools. Achieving the client’s requirement of an easy-to-use inflatable, the mascot took only 10 minutes to set up. The T3 green promotional inflatable mascot has been used in many events since then. 

Bring Your Mascot To Life!

At Inflatable Anything, we have years of experience working with a long list of clients in Australia and beyond creating bespoke inflatables for each one of them. There is no need to look any further, contact us today to get the conversation started on how we can bring your mascot to life!

The Adelaide-based family-operated Xlent Disability Services commissioned our services to work on a special project. They requested an inflatable figure around 1-2 meters tall to use at expos as their company mascot, injecting a bit of fun into their advertising campaigns. We were confident we could create an eye-catching mascot inflatable; by using Xlent Disability Services’ branding colours and making it large enough to grab people's attention. 

Introducing the XMan

Xlent Disability Services already had their mascot “XMan” complete with pantone branding colours, which provided a huge head start in the concept creation process. The challenge with this particular inflatable however was that there was no design for the back of the mascot. Our team went straight to work and collaborated with XDS to formalise the back view of the mascot, which was the last step before moving onto the 3D drawings. The client was thrilled with the design; a credit to our teams experience and expertise. 

The XMan In 3D

After receiving a big thumbs up from our 2D designs, our creative team created the XMan mascot inflatable using CAD software and applying the approved artwork onto the design. This was made a breeze using the Pantone Matching System (PMS), ensuring we could use the same branding colours to the inflatable mascot, and extend that onto the back of the mascot also, resulting in a flawless design. The finished 3D design was made to 2m tall and made from polyester, which we recommended to assist with ease of set up, pack up, and transportation for all team members.

There was also a provision for a built-in base with a zip to be included on the mascot inflatable; this was at our suggestion for better stability and an easier set up. Allowing for easy access to add weights within the mascot unit itself, which not only conceals the weights it also eliminates the tripping hazard ropes can cause. The base also provides stability to the mascot, again eliminating the need for ropes to secure the mascot while in use, a win all round which was well received by the client!

Bringing The XMan Mascot Inflatable To Life

The XMan mascot inflatable was made of cost-effective polyester, a material much easier to work with compared to PVC. As there were no colour samples needed for this mascot, we got straight onto the production for the XMan mascot. Production was simple and straightforward: printing, cutting, and sewing to create the amazing XMan to life. 2-3 weeks later and the final product was finished and ready for our quality control and testing procedures.

We made sure every detail of the mascot inflatable was immaculate before delivering the unit to our client for it’s first event in South Australia, Australia.

XMan Mascot Inflatable In Action

Our client was thrilled with XMan, but don’t take it from us. Take it from the abundance of photographs they sent our way, showing the XMan mascot inflatable in action at the expo. Everyone had big smiles and shared comments of how much fun the new addition to their expo stall was!

The mascot inflatable is nice and easy to use - only taking 5-minutes to inflate and comes with an internal blower attached to the inflatable base. Once the blower was connected to a power source, the client could sit back and relax while the XMan independently set up itself. 

Want to Create Your Own Mascot Inflatable?

We are ready to go when you are! Reach out to us today to take the first step in creating an unique inflatable to you, we can’t wait to hear your ideas.

If you’ve been to a festival in Adelaide, chances are it was organised by General Admission Entertainment - FOMO Festival. Groovin’ the Moo. Beer & BBQ Festival. We were approached by General Admission Entertainment to create a custom inflatable for events, searching for innovative ways to promote their events. They had a specific idea in mind; beer keg replicas! Our team loved this challenge and knew we could do it, having done many replica beer cans, beer bottles, champagne bottles and even Nutella jars. 

The Keg Concept Creation

As every inflatable is bespoke, it’s imperative we take our time to understand the brief and their idea inside and out so the final product exceeds their expectations. The client wanted the kegs to be as realistic as possible, focusing on the shape and colour. They were going to be used on either side of the stages at an upcoming Beer & BBQ Festival. 

To leave a long-lasting impact on the audience, a custom inflatable for events needs to be big enough to gain their attention. For the beer keg replicas, we suggested for them to be around 2.5m tall, with the width kept to proportion of the height, in line with a real beer keg. Another stand out feature which was added to the design was to have internal LED lights fitted, meaning they would stand out when being used in low light settings, and become beacons in the night!

Included in the design was the provision for internal blowers; this gave the client a quick and easy set up. Metal D rings were also included as standard, so when set up at great heights or outdoors, it could be securely anchored. The client was thrilled with the concept, and we continued our enthusiasm into creating the 3D drawings of the kegs. 

From Design To Real Life

Our team brought the design to life using 3D CAD software, adding in the details you would see from a real life keg. The handles and lid were included, as well as the ribbing around the belly of the keg. All these details working together to elevate the design and add a sense of realism, which the client was thrilled about. 

From here it was the production team that really brought the design to life; printing, cutting, and sewing all the components together to create these two amazing beer keg replicas. The inflatable kegs took 2-3 weeks to produce, then we performed all our quality control and testing procedures. 

Passing with flying colours, the kegs were sent to Adelaide, Australia ready to be set up for their first event at the Beer & BBQ Festival.

A Lively Beer & BBQ Festival

We had such wonderful feedback from the client once they received their beer keg replicas, not only were they overjoyed at the appearance of the kegs, the ease of set up (only taking 10 mins!) and a wonderful addition they made to the festival. Other than the Beer & BBQ Festival, the kegs have also been the client’s favourite to use on a stage, on a rooftop at field days, and in many other events.

Need a Custom Inflatable for Events?

Inflatable Anything are experts when it comes to creating a custom inflatable for events. We love discovering new ideas and concepts in the initial conversation stages, as it opens up a whole world of possibilities. If you’re looking for a team who not only have years of experience, but have the same energy and excitement in bringing your events to life,  contact us today!

Event management company Our Friends Electric contacted us about a need for one of their customers. They are an outsourced marketing company and required an inflatable logo for their customer, Havaianas. 

Previously Havaianas had used a small fibreglass replica, but wanted a larger inflatable logo that would be easy to transport and have high visual impact for promotional events & parties.

The inflatable logo would be in the shape of the word Havaianas and have internal LED lighting that could be turned on or off as needed. 

We’ve made inflatables of all shapes and sizes. Everything from larger-than-life inflatable fruit to picture walls to inflatable cartoon characters. But 1.5m high, light up inflatable letters was a new and exciting challenge that we could not wait to get started on!

Custom Inflatable Letters – The Concept

The customer presented us with the logo and said, “I want this, but as an inflatable.” 

It had to be easy to move, quick to set up and work well in various lighting conditions. The inflatable letters also had to be easy to read, and maintain the distinctive and recognisable shape of the Havaianas font. 

We were confident our team could deliver what they needed and proud to be asked to create something for an internationally recognised brand (we don’t even need to say that Havaianas make flip-flops, do we?)

Digitally Creating the Inflatable Logo

Each design we create is bespoke and customised to the client’s brief. We don’t have “off the shelf” inflatable letters, and considering the unique Havaianas font, something pre-made would not work.

We create each inflatable design from scratch. That makes it possible for us to take a logo or drawing in 2D and transform it into a 3D inflatable that is true to the original artwork. 

We did our best to meet all the client requirements and communicated clearly and frequently throughout the design and production process.

After studying the logo and considering the client’s requirements, our expert design team suggested a white base that connected red letters. 

This allowed the inflatable logo to use only one blower. One blower means a lighter inflatable and quick set up. 

We connected the dot in the “I” with clear pvc and carried the tail of the third “a” onto the base to ensure brand recognition and font style. We went with a bold red color to be consistent with the Havaianas logo. 

Considering the marketing use of the inflatable logo, our design team suggested a white base with red letters to really catch the eye of consumers. White letters with a red base would not have had the same impact and readability. 

Once the client signed off on the design, it was time for our production team to take over.

From Drawing to Reality

The production team went above and beyond to meet the needs of the client. They cut, fabricated and tested the inflatable letters – as they normally do. But this time they also inserted internal LED lighting that could be turned on and off as desired. 

The lights were placed to optimise illumination with the care and attention to detail we’ve come to expect from our production team. 

Our clients wanted something large and bright and they got it! The completed inflatable logo was 7m wide and 1.5m tall. We could not wait to see it in use!

Light Up the Night; Inflatable Logo Goes Live

The finished inflatable letters looked better than we had imagined. It was delivered to New South Wales, Australia in time for the client to throw a party with the inflatable.We deliver custom inflatables, just like this one, Australia wide, every week.

It had a high visual impact whether using only the internal LED lights or when combined with external lights. The client loved the ability to change the look of the inflatable to match the event. It truly is a multi-purpose inflatable that can be reused over and over again. 

The client was very pleased that it only takes 10 to 15 minutes to set up and is easy to transport as originally requested. These inflatable letters is as practical as it is attractive!

If you have a logo you think would look great as a light up inflatable, give us a call. We’d love to help you make that a reality. We have made creative and unique inflatables for businesses, schools, charity events and more across all of Australia. Our experienced team can guide you through the many options available in the world of inflatables. Contact us today to get our experts working on your creative idea!

We’ve worked extensively with Cairns Regional Council over the years and when they were thinking of getting some giant inflatable rugby balls made for the 2017 Rugby World Cup, they knew who to call — us!

The brief was pretty straight forward; at the upcoming Rugby World Cup there was an area that was to be used for activations that children would do rugby related activities in and they wanted to have a high impact display that would really communicate the message of “Rugby World Cup”, creating a social media buzz and at the same time, providing memorable photo opportunities for the attendees.

The final concept that was agreed upon was giant inflatable rugby balls with bases so they could stand upright. Each ball would be printed with a different design, representing the teams that were attending the cup. 

So, What Was the Plan?

Each team was to have it’s own rugby ball that was going to be printed specific to that team. 

The ball would be in the colours of the team, along with a hashtag for social media and the logos of the C.R.C and World Cup. 

This was the template of the artwork for the Scottish team. The artwork was going to be the same on both the front and the back of the balls, and there would be six balls in total - one for each team. 

Turning a Custom Inflatable Concept Into a Workable Design

Now that the artwork for each of the balls had been designed and agreed upon, the next step here was to turn that design into a 3D computer generated object with the artwork applied to it. 

The 3D design step is important for the manufacture of custom inflatables because it allows the client to see exactly what the final product is going to look like. 

The first step is to design the shape itself, and then once the shape is accepted, the artwork is applied to the shape. 

In this case, there were six different inflatable rugby balls being made, five that were specific to each team, and one that was generic for the event. 

This means that even though the same “ball” would be used for each of them, the artwork had to be applied to each as that was actually what was being used for the cutting and assembly of the product. 

Constructing the Giant Inflatable Rugby Balls 

Once the design was accepted and the shape was agreed upon, it was time for our manufacturing team to get going on bringing these inflatable rugby balls to life. 

The first step was to turn the 3D design into a 2D sheet that could be printed, and then cut. This process doesn’t take long, as it is calculated by a computer which then outputs all the printing that is required. 

Once those files were sent to our printer and printed, they were then brought back to our factory for final cutting and assembly. 

The balls were finished weeks ahead of schedule with plenty of time to allow us to complete the quality control step with plenty of time to spare and deliver the balls ahead of schedule to the client. 

Inflatable Rugby Balls Live at the World Cup

As mentioned, the balls were delivered ahead of schedule for the client giving them enough time to test the balls before the event to ensure they knew exactly how to use them when the event actually started. 

We always recommend to clients to use their inflatables before their events because it allows them time to get familiar with their operation, set up, tie down, etc. 

This meant that when the world cup started, the council was able to easily set up the balls at the site and start getting that great exposure and impact they were looking for. 

The inflatable rugby balls were set up for a total of 5 days for the duration of the event. After the event we received great feedback from the client that the balls were a great hit and everyone loved them, and they also garnered  a lot of social media attention, giving them to get exposure that they would not have otherwise received. 

We are always excited when we have completed a new project, and we are just as excited by the prospect of a new custom inflatable concept. If you are looking for ideas to attract more attention to your brand for your next event, speak to our friendly team today!

We were contacted by Peter from the Alpine Cycling Club, which is sponsored by Bright Brewery for their events. Peter was looking to create a giant inflatable arch for his events, which Bright Brewery, as one of their major sponsors was keen on getting into also. They also sponsor a number of other events, so for them it was a no brainer. 

We had recently done some work via one of our other brands, Canopy Outdoor, where we made a number of marquees for the Brewery to Run events from. We had a clear understanding of the Brewery’s style, and they agreed that the giant inflatable arch and marquees would often be used at the same events, so brand consistency was very important to them. 

Because we had the previous artwork on file, we were able to make a quick start on putting the design together. A  great example of how good branding can be mirrored to other products!

Designing a Giant Inflatable Arch

Being that we had done a number of marquees for the brewery in the past and understood their requirements in terms of branding, we got together and worked on laying the artwork down onto the template for the arch required. 

This structure was large, but certainly not the largest arch we have produced. Due to the 8m span and 5m height it was required for this customised inflatable arch to be manufactured with thicker tubing, to ensure it would stand up to the wind up on the mountains. Additionally, the angled corners were used to create more strength, something which is often required for large span arches. 

Artwork Approvals

With the overall design approved in principle, we got working on the official designs. This involved taking assets from the previous jobs we had some for the Brewery and laying things out for the client to see and understand so they could approve. 

Details including dimensions of the arch, banners and locations for D Rings are outlined, even down to the colour of velcro used for the banners. 

After some minor tweaks to make everything work, this was handed through to the Branding Team at Bright Brewery. Being a company who takes their branding seriously, they were 100% satisfied with the proposed designs and gave us the go ahead to start printing and sewing the arch together. 

Manufacturing: Where the Magic Happens

With the designs approved the next steps were to have the a quick print sample done; this is to ensure that the orange colour of the giant inflatable arch is matched to the brewery’s branding guidelines. With the pantone provided, this was a simple process and was confirmed by both us and the client. We were now good to pull the trigger and start printing the rest of the design. 

Materials were then printed, cut and sewn together with the velcro sewn for their banners and all D-Rings for tethering sewn in. Just a handful of days after we began, the arch was completed and final checks done before sending the arch to us to hand over to the client.

The Customised Inflatable Arch in Action

As is typical with us, we finished the giant inflatable arch ahead of schedule which gave us plenty of time to do some testing on the unit and ensure it was perfect, as the brewery was coming down to collect and use it the same weekend! 

As always, we love having the opportunity to work with our regulars; the ACC is no exception! We know that our return customers always come back to us with honest feedback, which ensures we are able to provide the best service possible.

If you are thinking of doing something a little different for functions or events; something that will speak volumes to a big audience, our friendly team will be more than happy to brainstorm ideas for a customised inflatable with you and come up with a solution that meets your budget. Contact us today for a free, non-obligatory quote! What have you got to lose?

Riding for the Disabled Association contacted us looking to create an inflatable mascot pony of their brand’s mascot, Blossom.  As you could imagine, the costs of transporting ponies, feeding them, care, as well as the risk of animals and children may be a little bit of a challenge. The idea was for the life size mascot to become the centrepiece to their events where the horses may not be able to attend. 

Our client was kind enough to share a huge range of different assets, including hand drawn images which they used on their Christmas Cards through to stress toys which they gave to the young riders as a keepsake. 

The main goal was to be able to have an inflatable that was easy to use, safe around both children and animals alike. We got together and brainstormed an ideal concept that satisfied these requirements, while still nailing an awesome design!

Inflatables from a Sketch

Often we get people who contact us with nothing but an idea and some sketches. We were lucky this time to be provided with multiple different sketches and even Blossom herself in other forms like the aforementioned stress toy. 

Keeping the Inflatable Mascot Pony Stable

With just the sketch and a handful of Christmas cards we got to work fine tuning the particulars about the inflatable itself. One thing that was very important, was stability. Blossom was going to be set up in a range of different surfaces and in different environments, so it was important to consider all possibilities. Once your inflatable is made to suit a certain application, it can often not be possible to make it work or modify it for a new environment. 

It was agreed that the inflatable mascot pony needed something to stand on, though also needed to have the ability of being pegged into the ground to stop it from running away. Some events Blossom was going to be on hard ground, where tethering it to the ground with pegs was just not possible. Solution? An inflatable base with sandbags could be installed, again to stop this cheeky pony from running, or flying away! 

Going Up a Dimension

After all this was confirmed, it was time to turn the inflatable mascot pony into a three dimensional creation, and finalise the design.

When it comes to inflatables, it is important to be aware that 3D CAD images still have a lot more flexibility in design compared to the final product that is produced. For example, all edges will be more rounded in reality due to the nature of air pressure expanding the fabric in every direction. 

Custom inflatables can be very detailed, but when you make something big, you need to think big. Every inflatable we make is a once-off custom made unit, so there will always be something new to learn with every job. We constantly keep this in mind with every custom inflatable, and with 10+ years of experience, we are only getting better results.

Our 3D artist got to work tweaking and ensuring all the right details, including the mane and tail were correct. Due to fact the design was mirrored, this was completed in less than 24 hours and was sent off for final approval.

Finalising the Life Size Mascot

With Riding for the Disabled being completely ecstatic with the 3D design and happy to proceed, we sent all working files off to production to begin the task of creating the cut sheets from the 3D shape. Creating inflatables like this is similar to a jigsaw puzzle, with all the pieces needing to be sewn in the right place.

Before we knew it, Blossom had blossomed from a flat 2D watercolour sketch into a life size mascot ready to be sent to the client. We are so happy to have been able to assist such a great cause with this fun project!

We take the challenges and concerns of our clients seriously and when there are children involved, safety is always top priority. If you have any concerns with inflatables and foresee any issues, we are always here to help work through them and provide solutions wherever possible. Rest assured, that we are also upfront with any safety or design concerns that may need to be addressed. 

If you are thinking of ways to create some buzz around your next event, chat to our experienced team who will be more than happy to put together a free quote and concept with you. Don’t be afraid to think big!

Recently we worked with an agency, Max Events, that was working for Chemist Warehouse managing their activations. 

Their client was looking for interactive game inflatables to use at intervals during a number of sporting groups whom they sponsor. They settled on the idea of an inflatable zorb tunnel, which would provide that sense of fun and engagement with the audience, as well as the ability to draw attention to their brand.

The Concept

The overall concept was to produce two zorb tunnels, which event attendees would race backwards and forward over a netball court initially during half time entertainment across the country. 

This project certainly had its risks. As you could imagine, coming flying out an inflatable zorb tunnel at speed onto a hard surface has the potential to cause serious injury.

Before we got started on these activation inflatables, we really needed to ensure that they had all risk mitigation processes in place and that safety was their priority. Things that needed to be considered were:

• Health and Safety Waivers
• Having rules about who can safely use it, for example: people with heart conditions, pregnant women etc.
• Having a person designated to monitor the use of inflatables at all times
• Risks of popping and being very difficult to repair if they got a hole, as it must be patched internally for best results. 

The Team at Max Events run these activations for the client, and were receptive to this information and accepted the risk 

Digitally Creating the Inflatable Zorb Tunnel

After the order was approved and we received the purchase order, our 3D design jumped on this job right away to start to create the 3D shape of the inflatable. 

As with all projects, these are bespoke inflatables and each time we start a new job, we actually need to create the shapes from scratch to meet the client brief. We don’t have any “off the shelf” designs that we can refer to, rather, we create each design on it’s own.

The most important part is to get the shape, size, and general feeling of the project correct, and then after that we work to apply the colour and printing on the surface to really bring the unit to life. 

Overall the actual shape and design is quite basic, though this inflatable zorb tunnel has quite a bit of internal structure to ensure there was an air pocket for people to run on.  

Adding Colour to the Artwork

With the overall design concept locked in, we moved to adding colours and the client logo along the edges of each inflatable zorb tunnel. 

The client was very particular on the colours used in the printing and specified very specific pantone references. Pantone references are important to ensure colour conformity and that colours match other parts of the activation. 

After a quick review of logo placement, Max Events gave us the green light to start production. 

Assembly starts and finishes

The activation inflatables now moved into the manufacturing phase of this project. 

We had to set ourselves a very strict time frame to ensure the inflatables were produced in time for the first game of the season. 

Our team pressed ahead and did their magic by printing the artwork, cutting the pattern, and then assembling the two tunnels into their final shape, including all the internal structure points to ensure the air pocket worked correctly. 

Due to the intended use case for these inflatables, it was very important to ensure that they were sealed correctly and that there were no leaks. Each of the tunnels were setup and left for 24 hours, which passed with flying colours. 

We were very satisfied with the outcome of the manufacturing and after our extensive quality control and review process, each inflatable zorb tunnel was packed up and loaded into the car for delivery to the client, who was conveniently just around the corner from us. 

Interactive Game Inflatables Live

The event was the following day, and we did not want to risk these getting caught up in transit, when they were literally 2km away.  We definitely like to ensure that the inflatables are not one of the major things our clients need to stress about for their upcoming events, so we make working with us as easy and seamless as possible going the extra step wherever needed to ensure the deadline is met. 

The zorb tunnels were used at the first game of the season and even made it onto TV! It’s a great feeling seeing your hard work and effort paying off!

Client Feedback

We love hearing from our clients to see how they are going and what challenges they faced. 

Being that these were actually being used all over the country, by both Football, Netball, and Rugby clubs for half the time, these activation inflatables racked up a fair amount of frequent flyer points. Though due to some mishandling of them during transport, they ended up getting some small holes, which for a sealed unit like the inflatable zorb tunnel, it usually means game over. 

We reiterated to the client that repairs for these are usually recommended to be done internally, as the patches would get caught and tear off, making things worse. With only a handful of events left scheduled for the year, Max Events took it upon themselves (with our advice) to patch a couple holes, which luckily lasted long enough for them to get through the rest of the events. 

Get Insipired

If you are looking for some inspiration for a series of activations or events for your business, our team will be more than happy to share their knowledge and get creative with you. We can work towards your budget and supply you with design concepts to get you started. 

So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch today!

Another year and another project on the cards with Wyndham City Council. Previously we had completed some very creative and artistic jobs like the Inflatable Camp Dog and Inflatable Babushka Dolls for them, and so true to form this inflatable bird was promising to be very unique and colourful.

We started here with a drawing of Waa The Protector, a character based on Australian Aboriginal legends and stories. There were actually two variants of Waa, with one being green and one being purple. This meant that there was different artwork for each bird, but in terms of the scale, shape, and design, they were the same. 

These inflatable Australian characters were to be used at an upcoming event and to be set up outdoors and illuminated with external lighting; very similar to the Babushka Dolls. 

Going Up a Dimension

We were supplied some flat drawings of Waa, originally without any colouring, but later with colouring added over the top of the drawing. 

This inflatable bird project was slightly more complex that other jobs we had done previously for multiple reasons, namingly being:

• There was only a design for the front of the bird
• The shape, being a bird was complex
• The pattern overlaid on multiple parts of the bird, which is simple to do from a forward perspective, but gets more complex when considering the object is 3D

Nonetheless, this project was one we knew we could shine with and we agreed to work with the council to complete their project. 

Digitally Creating the Inflatable Bird

After the order was approved and we received the purchase order, our 3D design jumped on this job right away to start to create the 3D shape of the bird. 

As with all projects, these are bespoke custom printed inflatables and each time we start a new job, we actually need to create the shapes from scratch to meet the client brief. We don’t have any “off the shelf” designs that we can refer to, rather, we create each design as it’s own.

The most important part is to get the shape, size, and general feeling of the project correct, and then after that we work to apply the colour and printing on the surface to really bring the unit to life. 

Our designer spent some considerable time getting this project right, and in the end the client was happy with the shape and agreed to proceed to the next stage of the design process without many revisions required. 

Colourful Custom Printed Inflatables

This project was a little more complex than usual to apply the colours to the object. 

In the 2D design, the colours were applied to a flat forward perspective of the inflatable bird, and actually went across multiple parts of the bird including the head, chest, legs, and wings. For this reason, we had to use some discretion during the design to ensure that not only we met the brief which was to replicate the design, but to also ensure that the final inflatable bird would look good when in a real life replication of the drawing. 

Our designer took care to ensure that the way the art was applied to the object made sense, and they had to make some decisions along the way to ensure that it looked great. 

In the end, we think the colouring looked fantastic, and both birds were printed in the same manner, but just had certain colours swapped out between the two of them. The client was also happy with the design, and so signed off on the project to start manufacturing.  

Assembly Starts and Finishes

The inflatable bird project now moved into the manufacturing phase.

We set ourselves a strict deadline with this project because it was required for an upcoming event, and being the centrepiece of the event, without them the event would definitely be lacking something; we didn’t want to let our client down. 

Our team pressed ahead and did their magic by printing the artwork, cutting the pattern, and then assembling the custom printed inflatables into their final shape, including all the required tie down points and internal structuring to make sure they resemble the original designs as close as possible. 

We were very satisfied with the outcome of the manufacturing and after our extensive quality control and review process, the birds were packed up and ready to send to the client well ahead of schedule for their event. We definitely like to ensure that the inflatables are not one of the major things our clients need to stress about for their upcoming events, so we make working with us as easy and as seamless as possible. 

The Inflatable Australian Characters in Action

The custom printed inflatables were dispatched by courier to our client to receive well ahead of their event. 

They arrived to the client ahead of the event which gave them plenty of time to prepare the area of where the two birds were to be used. 

The birds were used at the event and it went off without a hitch.

Some Feedback From the Client

Some feedback we did receive from our client was that these custom printed inflatables were a little more unstable than the dolls or dog they had previously purchased, and we did agree with them. As with all our projects, each project is a “first” and effectively a prototype because that particular inflatable has never been made. 

For this reason, the “real world” behaviour of inflatables cannot genuinely be known until after the unit is actually manufactured. Any shape can be created on a computer, but until that shape is actually made and tested in the real world, we cannot be sure of anything. 

In the case of the inflatable bird, it was simply solved by adding a few extra ropes to help the birds stand and they were still fit to use, and the client now becoming quite familiar with the nature of inflatables, was very understanding and found it to be a reasonable solution.

We get excited by new project prospects, so if getting some custom printed inflatables is an option you are considering, speak to our experienced team today! We want to make sure you have everything you need to make an informed decision, and open up your mind to the wonderful world of inflatables.

We were contacted by Prue from Little Red Caboose Productions to assist on an upcoming project she was working on; the Little Wings Ball. The proceeds for this event go toward the Little Heroes Foundation, which supports very sick children.

Prue reached out to us to help her create an inflatable cartoon character centrepiece for the ball, which would be transformed from it’s 2D version, into a physical 3D inflatable that was to be hung above the event and illuminated. We were able to do a very realistic replication of the cartoon and it was successfully used at the ball. 

The Little Wings Ball was inspired by a young South Australian girl called Ivy, who was diagnosed with an incurable and very rare condition, known as Epidermolysis Bullosa. The Ball was run by Ivy’s parents Hannah and Steve as their way of saying thank you to the Little Heroes Foundation, for giving their family the support they needed most. The proceeds from the event went on to help fund the ongoing Little Heroes Care program to support other children like Ivy. 

We were very proud to be involved in this project, and the ball managed to raise over $100,000 for the Little Heroes Foundation.

Turning a Drawing into a Life Size Mascot

We are often challenged with turning a drawing into an inflatable mascot replica, but it’s something we have extensive experience with. 

We have completed similar projects in the past such as the Lacteeze Ice Cream and also a Dog Mascot for Subaru Australia. 

CAD Modelling the Inflatable Cartoon Character

The first step of the process is to get the “shape” of the inflatable cartoon character right. This involves taking the drawing and then imagining what the character would look like from all directions. 

This is where the skill of our 3D designer comes into play. They basically have free reign to make the unit as true of a representation of the drawing as possible.

As we were working on this project, it involved some back and forth between ourselves and the client to ensure that the 3D model was actually a good representation of the drawing. 

After several revisions back and forth, the general shape and feel of the inflatable mascot replica was agreed upon, which enabled us to progress to the next phase of the design process; adding the artwork and colour to the model. 

Bringing it to life 

Now that the shape had been confirmed, we had to now take the colours from the drawings and reflect them onto the 3D model. 

This involved some creative work on our behalf. 2D drawings are generally only available from a single angle or perspective, whereas a 3D inflatable will obviously be viewed from all sides. Our team has to make assumptions and interpret what would be accurate colourations and designs for sides of the inflatable cartoon character which are not actually visible in the 2D drawing. 

Fortunately for this project, the drawing was symmetrical and it was reasonably straightforward to extrapolate colours onto the faces of the inflatable that were not totally specified. 

We managed to achieve a design that the client was satisfied with, and so the artwork for the life size mascot was signed off on for manufacturing to begin. 

The Real Work Begins

For this project, like many that we work on, there was an upcoming event deadline that we were working towards. Obviously when there is a hard event date like this case, we cannot let our client down and we must ensure that we meet that deadline no matter what. 

Fortunately for us, our team are experts at manufacturing an inflatable mascot replica very efficiently. It was not just about starting on the manufacturing of this inflatable cartoon character quickly, but we put a special emphasis on this project given the importance of raising money for the Little Heroes Foundation. 

The project was pushed to the front of our production queue and we completed the job ahead of our scheduled timeframe, which gave us plenty of time to do comprehensive quality control check on this life size mascot, ensuring it was 110% ready for the upcoming Little Wings Ball. 

The Inflatable Cartoon Character Flying High

The unit was delivered ahead of schedule and ready to be used at the ball. 

The way that we made this unit meant that it required constant power to remain inflated. While some people may not think it practical, this method actually enables us the ability to incorporate extra details into the piece, more so than if it were fully sealed (which allows for less detail). 

The inflatable mascot replica was strung up on the overhead trusses high above the ball and inflated. 

We were stoked with how well the unit turned out, and delivered exactly the impact that the client was looking for elevating the event to a higher level. 

At the end of the night when all was said and done, the event managed to raise in excess of $100,000 for the Little Heroes Foundation, and we are proud to have played even a small part in making the Little Wings Ball a success. 

We love every opportunity we get for working on a new project, as well as hearing of our clients success after their event. Organising a custom inflatable may seem like a whole new world, but we are there every step of the way, and beyond. Speak to our team about your big idea today!