Glossary of custom inflatable structures: constant air, sealed air, PVC, denier, dye sublimation, M1, B1, AEAI RF1, EN 13501-1, ballast, all explained.
All About Inflatables
Giant inflatables by Digital Inflatables, project by project
Custom inflatable projects by Digital Inflatables, one by one: tunnels, giant mascots, product replicas, stage sets and sculptures, with their figures.
They entrusted us with a project
By object type
Custom inflatables by object type
Projects
Featured projects
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Method
From idea to delivery
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The brief
You describe the object, its size, the venue, the date and the budget, with a sketch if you have one.
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The 3D model
Shape, proportions and colours are approved in 3D before any fabric is cut.
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The making
Digital patterns, printing, cutting, sewing or welding, then inflation tests.
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The delivery
The object travels folded, is inflated on site and installed to suit the venue.
Key facts
Large formats, with the figures
Guides
Practical guides: prices, lead times, wind, fabrics
How custom inflatables are made: brief, 3D model, digital patterns, dye-sublimation printing, laser cutting, sewing or welding, air tests and installation.
Using inflatables indoors at a trade fair, museum or shop: ceiling height, rigging points, blower noise, emergency exits and night installs. What to check.
Inflatables and wind: the usual limit is 24 mph (38 km/h), force 5 on the Beaufort scale, lower for helium. Stakes or ballast, and who decides to shut down.
Inflatable projection spheres: diameter, front or internal projection, LED lighting, rigging, air or helium, with moons and spheres made by Digital Inflatables.
Fire rating for indoor inflatables: NFPA 701 in the United States, M1 in France, B1 in Germany, RF2 in Switzerland, EN 13501-1. Which class, what proof.
Frequently asked questions
The answers come from our guides. For your own project, let’s talk directly.
How much does a custom inflatable cost?
It depends on size, number of pieces and finish: 3’000 to 5’000 CHF for the Astra Festival moon, 40’000 to 50’000 CHF for more than 30 inflatables at Beaugrenelle. More budgets are in the custom inflatable prices guide.
From the guide: How are custom inflatables made, step by step?
How long does it take to make a custom inflatable?
On Digital Inflatables projects: less than 10 days of production for the ZSC lion tunnel, after 2 weeks for the 3D, and 12 days for the Beaugrenelle inflatables. The lead times guide gathers more examples.
From the guide: How are custom inflatables made, step by step?
Is a 3D file needed to order a custom inflatable?
No: a maker can start from a simple sketch or a written concept as well as from a detailed CAD file. Digital Inflatables, for example, modelled the giant cat for a Miami club in 3D itself.
From the guide: How are custom inflatables made, step by step?
Can you see the inflatable before it is made?
Yes, in 3D: 3 proposals for the ZSC lion tunnel after 2 weeks, and a 3D proof in 3 days for the LE CHAT replica.
From the guide: How are custom inflatables made, step by step?
Does Digital Inflatables handle design and installation?
Yes: for Beaugrenelle, the workshop ran the project from design to installation; for Busan, it also provided the staff.
From the guide: Choosing an inflatables manufacturer
Where has Digital Inflatables made projects?
In Switzerland, in Zurich and Geneva; in France, in Paris and Sèvres; and also in Los Angeles, in London, at Milano Design Week and in Indonesia.
From the guide: Choosing an inflatables manufacturer