JDRF is a leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research. One of their main fundraising events is the JDRF One Walk. They have over 3,000 soldiers in their BlueArmy of walkers and volunteers. Together they have raised over $400,000 for Type 1 Diabetes research in Australia.
Considering that 120,000 Australians have Type 1 Diabetes, we felt inspired by their dream of eradicating this debilitating immune disorder.
We were fully committed from the first phone call and truly excited about the idea of using an inflatable arch to use as a finish line marker for their One Walk race days.
Not All Inflatable Archways are Equal
We create quite a few custom archway inflatables and customers are sometimes surprised that we don’t have off the shelf arches they can purchase. We pride ourselves on creating completely bespoke items for each customer.
Printing the full surface of an arch has so much more impact than just attaching a banner to a prefabricated arch. Our custom printing process also gives us the ability to make the arch more personal by using the colors of customers’ choice and logos.
Even though each arch is a completely custom inflatable, our experience and familiarity with arches let us deliver the arch in two to three weeks after the art is signed off on by the customer. This is a much quicker timeline than for uniquely shaped custom inflatables.
This experience proved valuable during our collaboration with JDRF. It helped us guide JDRF in the right materials and shape for their arch. For example, we recommended thicker tubing for stability and angled corners for strength in order to support this large span arch.
Artwork Approvals
JDRF has built up brand recognition around a particular shade of blue. Their most used hashtag is even #JDRFBlueArmy. Their shade of blue is consistent from their website to their t-shirts, so we knew it had to be an exact match.
Our team was able to accomplish this by using the pantone matching system. JDRF was able to provide the PMS number of exact shade of blue. We used that and our full surface print technique to create a high visual impact from any angle. We added their logo and design motifs like orange stripes to make the arch more unique.
The customer required removable Velcro banners so they could update their branding and mottos from year to year. This is a common request for arches and a smart way to add value. We were more than happy to accommodate them.
After brainstorming ideas with JDRF, our art team put together the following illustration which details the dimensions, banner and D ring placement, and of course their shade of blue. The customer quickly approved and we were on to production of the custom archway inflatable.
From Artwork to Reality
Our amazing manufacturing team was excited to get the hand-off from our art department and got right to work. They created a quick print sample and confirmed with the JDRF that blue matched their branding guidelines. Rarely is there an issue when using pantone colors, but we always like to double and triple check before printing the entire inflatable.
With that out of the way, the arch was printed, cut and sewn together. Velcro was added for the banners and D-Rings for tethering. All components are sewn to the arch for durability, no glue here!
Days later the final tests and checks were completed and we turned the completed arch over to JDRF.
Walk Day
JDRF was thrilled that the finished arch only took about 10 minutes to set up. Because of its ease of setup and take down, they were able to use it over and over again including walks in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia.
At each event, attendees were drawn to the custom archway inflatable and it became a favorite selfie spot. The customer received very positive feedback from their BlueArmy and they passed that onto us.
We are thrilled to have contributed to such an important organization and their fundraising events. We too dream of a world without Type 1 Diabetes.
All of our inflatables are designed for durability and our arches are no exception. JDRF ordered this arch from us several years ago and is still using it to this day.
If you are looking for a way to add excitement and interest to your fundraising walk or run a customisable printed arch could be just the thing you need. Our friendly team would be happy to discuss your ideas and come up with a unique solution that will meet your budget.
