Brands and retail
Giant 7 m inflatable fish with full sublimation print
- Length
- 7 m long
Digital Inflatables designed and built a giant inflatable fish 7 m long, with a full sublimation print, in 2024. The workshop’s video starts from its 3D wireframe model: a fish with large, fan-like pectoral fins and tall spines on its head, like the zebra lionfish. The workshop handled the project from A to Z, from the digital model to the printed piece.
What did Digital Inflatables make with this 7 m fish?
A giant inflatable fish 7 m long, sublimation-printed over its whole surface.
The 3D model shows the large pectoral fins opening like fans on each side, and tall spines above the head. These thin, jagged volumes make the shape far more complex than a simple balloon.
The post presents the fish "from A to Z": the workshop handled modelling, cutting, printing and assembly.
How does a 3D model become a giant inflatable fish?
The 3D model is split into flat pieces that are printed on the fabric, cut and assembled, before a first test inflation.
The model first confirms the shape, proportions and colours. It is then unfolded into patterns, much like a garment: each piece receives its artwork before cutting.
With a full sublimation print, the dye goes into the fabric over the whole surface, so stripes and gradients follow the shape with no panels added on top. The guide to custom inflatable lead times explains how long each step takes.
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Request a quoteWhich fish was the model?
The caption says "Zebrafish", and the 3D model follows the outline of a lionfish with large fan-like fins, like the zebra lionfish.
The zebra lionfish, Dendrochirus zebra, lives in the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific and is recognisable by its large, fan-like pectoral fins.
For an aquarium, a shopping centre or an exhibition, a giant sea creature like this catches the eye from far away. More giant animals and characters are gathered on the giant inflatable character page.
Full specifications
| Length | 7 m long |
|---|---|
| full sublimation print | |
| Model | zebra lionfish (Dendrochirus zebra) |
| Year | 2024 |
Frequently asked questions
How long is the inflatable fish?
The fish is 7 m long.
How is the inflatable fish printed?
With a full sublimation print: the whole surface of the fabric is printed.
Why start with a 3D model?
The 3D model confirms the shape, proportions and colours before any fabric is cut, then provides the patterns for each piece.
Can you order a giant inflatable sea creature?
Yes: Digital Inflatables makes custom giant inflatable animals and characters. Budgets from real projects are listed in the guide to custom inflatable prices.
Credit to copy
To credit this project on your website or in an article: the line as plain text, then the same in HTML, ready to paste.
Plain text
Made by Digital Inflatables, https://digital-inflatables.com/magazine/en/projects/giant-inflatable-fish-7-m-sublimation/
HTML
<a href="https://digital-inflatables.com/magazine/en/projects/giant-inflatable-fish-7-m-sublimation/">Made by Digital Inflatables</a>Sources
- Digital Inflatables Instagram post instagram.com
- Wikipedia, Dendrochirus zebra en.wikipedia.org
Drafted with AI assistance from the company’s verified facts, reviewed and approved by Jodoc Elmiger, founder and managing director of Digital Inflatables.
