Inflatable advertising column

What is an inflatable totem used for?

To flag a stand, an entrance or a shop from a distance, above the crowd. When lit, it shows at night too.

Enlarge the photo

At Züri Fäscht 2019, the Zurich city festival, the Grillmaniak column marked the stand of this barbecue service.

For the Swiss rock band Volxrox, an orange column marked “FANSHOP” pointed to the merchandise stand.

For the Nestlé event Wellness in Action, 10 orange totems shaped like drops or leaves guided guests through the halls.

A totem can also take the product’s shape: a sushi-shaped totem for Sushizen in Lausanne, or a rotating column shaped like a Pepsi can.

How tall can an inflatable column be?

Outdoors, the Grillmaniak column is 7.5 m tall, and another tube for the brand 7 m. Indoors, the Nestlé totems are 3 m tall.

Enlarge the photo

At a trade show, the ceiling sets the limit. The guide to using inflatables indoors covers the constraints of a hall or a museum.

Outdoors, a taller column catches more wind. Its base is ballasted or guyed: the wind and anchoring guide gives the usual limits.

Can an inflatable column light up?

Yes. The Grillmaniak column has 1000W RGB lighting, the Volxrox column is lit from inside, and the Nestlé totems have LED lighting.

Enlarge the photo

Light inside makes the printed fabric glow, so the logo stays readable after dark.

According to the US Department of Energy, LEDs use at least 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and emit virtually no heat.

On the Volxrox column, 3D spikes crown the orange shaft: the shape can go beyond a plain cylinder.

Does an inflatable totem need a power socket?

Not if it is sealed. The Volxrox column stays up with a 220 V fan that runs constantly, while the Haut-Bugey Agglomération totems are filled with a small 12 V pump.

Enlarge the photo

A constant-air blower tolerates a small leak but needs power on site. A sealed structure suits places with no socket. The constant-air vs sealed vs helium guide compares the options.

The Haut-Bugey Agglomération totems have a double skin, dacron reinforcements and dye-sublimation printing.

How do you transport and set up an inflatable column?

Deflated and folded, it fits in a flight case, like the Volxrox column. On site, it is inflated, then its base is ballasted or guyed.

The 7 m Grillmaniak tube stands on a black base, held by guy ropes.

On public ground, a branded column can count as advertising. In Montreux, any advertising device visible to the public needs the permission of the municipality, and illuminated ones must be off from 00h00 to 06h00. See also the permits guide.