What Are Tube Men?
Tube men, also known as air dancers or sky dancers, are those tall, inflatable dancing men often seen at car dealerships, events, or retail spaces. They’re primarily used for advertising and grabbing attention. Their dynamic movements in the wind, combined with their bright colors and large size, make them highly visible and eye-catching, drawing attention to the business or event they’re promoting. An advertising balloon man is an effective way to attract customers and increase visibility, especially in outdoor settings where traditional signs might not stand out as much.
Want to enhance your advertising with tube men? Browse our stock and custom options today!
Tube Man History
A simple google search will tell you that it was Peter Minshall, who made an advertising balloon man for the 1996 summer Olympics. However, there were two other major contributors to its creation: Doron Gazit and Arieh Leon Dranger (LouLou).
In an interview between Sam Dean and Doron Gazit in Dean’s article “Biography of an Inflatable Tube Guy,” he revealed the originals of his art that would eventually inspire the advertising balloon man. He said, “While attending industrial design school in Jerusalem in the ‘70s, Gazit had a side gig hawking balloon designs (animals, hats, etc.) on the streets… he introduced balloons to the Bedouins [a semi-nomadic Arab tribe from the Negev desert of southern Israel], whose first encounters with the inflated objects illuminated for him their whimsical, spirited quality.”
With this newfound motivation and inspiration by his agriculturalist father, as well as the artists Christo and Andy Goldsworthy, he became an environmental artist. He used plastic from factories to create tubes that flowed with the wind. At the time, they were meant to be an artistic depiction of the wind. This can best be seen in his “Sculpting The Wind” series.
These tubes would be wrapped around different landscapes, from beaches to rivers, trees, buildings, and structures. Eventually, his inflatable dancing man was recognized and invited to the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, California. Following this, Gazit would also start his business Air Dimensional Design (AirDD). For the ’96 summer Olympics, Minshall wanted assistance with making a 2-legged advertising balloon man that would appear to be dancing in the air. Seeking help from AirDD, Gazit and LouLou were on the job.
The Evolution of Tube Men in Advertising
Advertising balloon men quickly gained popularity among marketers and advertisers due to their effectiveness in capturing attention. Their eye-catching movements and vibrant appearance made them a novel alternative to traditional static signage. The advertising balloon man concept was introduced to the United States, where it rapidly became a prominent feature in the marketing landscape. Initially embraced by car dealerships, tube men soon found their way into various industries and events.
Over the years, technological advancements have enhanced the design and functionality of tube men. Improved materials, more efficient fans, and customizable features have allowed businesses to tailor these inflatable dancing men to their specific branding needs. Tube men continue to be a popular and effective advertising tool, particularly in outdoor settings. Their ability to draw attention and create a lively atmosphere makes them a go-to choice for businesses aiming to increase visibility in a dynamic and engaging way.
Blending Effective Advertising With Lively Design
The popularity of the advertising balloon man transcended borders, becoming a global phenomenon. Businesses and event organizers around the world embraced these inflatable figures for their ability to create a memorable and festive atmosphere. From the classic tall, wavy figures to custom shapes and sizes, tube men have evolved in design. Businesses began to customize these inflatable dancing men to represent mascots, characters, and products, adding a personalized touch to their advertising strategy.
Tube men continue to be a popular and effective advertising tool, particularly in outdoor settings. Their ability to draw attention and create a lively atmosphere makes them a go-to choice for businesses aiming to increase visibility in a dynamic and engaging way. In summary, the tube man has come a long way from its invention in the 1990s, evolving into a cultural and advertising phenomenon that continues to capture the attention of people worldwide.
What Can Tube Men Be Used for?
Advertising balloon men are excellent at catching the eye due to their vibrant colors and dynamic movements. Their playful nature tends to draw attention quickly, making them stand out in crowded areas. Whether it’s a clearance sale, grand opening, or special promotion, inflatable dancing men can attract attention and direct foot traffic to the event.
They can easily be placed outside retail stores to highlight ongoing sales, new arrivals, or special discounts, enticing passersby to step inside. Tube men are commonly seen at car lots to draw attention to specific vehicle models, special financing offers, or sales events.
Boost Visibility at Events & Trade Shows
These inflatable advertising balloon men can be used to attract visitors to booths, stalls, or attractions at outdoor events, making them more visible in crowded areas. Attract attention in a crowded trade show environment, making your products or services more noticeable among the competition. Whether it’s a charity fundraiser, local fair, or community gathering, tube men can add an element of fun and draw attention to specific areas or activities.
Increase Foot Traffic for Businesses & Venues
An advertising balloon man can be used by restaurants or local businesses to announce special deals, menu changes, or events, increasing visibility and foot traffic. Attract fans and direct them to merchandise booths or food stands at sports events, creating a festive atmosphere. Attract potential buyers to open house events by placing tube men to make a property stand out among others in the neighborhood. Use them outside theaters, concert halls, or entertainment venues to promote upcoming shows or events, attracting attention from passersby.
Take Advantage of Our Tube Man Deals
We currently have deals available for our advertising balloon men. Our BOGO deal allows you to buy two 20ft custom inflatable dancing men with 1 of them at 50% off. We even have an option for 2-legged tube men! We also have a wide variety of in-stock tube men that are pre-designed and ready to ship. You can explore tube men or our many other products, including flag banners, customizable feather flags, custom vinyl banners, custom yard signs, and more.
Stock & Custom Tube Men for Every Business
Like many of our other products, we carry both stock and custom versions of advertising balloon men. With many designs already printed and ready to go, you can order an inflatable dancing man body anytime you need one. Just remember we can’t modify already printed tube men, so stock comes as they are. We also have a selection of well-known characters and air dancers for the holiday season!
Custom Advertising Balloon Men Designed Just for You
If our stock items do not meet your standards, we can design one just for your needs. Designing is by far our favorite part. It allows us to see what customers are truly looking for. A recent customer asked us to replicate her husband as a fun surprise gift. We will try to replicate what you need as best we can.
How to Order Your Custom Advertising Balloon Man
Our custom tube men follow the same protocol as our custom feather flags. Begin with a design request. There, you can let our designers know what you are looking for. Say you want a specific image on there with your logo –– we will work with you until you are happy with the inflatable dancing man design. From there, your designer will let you know how to move forward with purchasing.
Depending on how many you need printed, 1-4 items will take our standard production time of 3 business days. After production time, shipping can take anywhere from 2-5 business days depending on your shipping location. Keep in mind we do not start production time until payment and final approval are given.
Tube Man Sizes & Prices
Advertising balloon man prices vary depending on the size and customization needed. Keep in mind that the blower also varies in price and size depending on the tube man. Our current tube man sizes are: 6ft/8ft, 10ft/12ft, and 18ft/20ft. The first size listed is the tube man size, and the second size is the overall kit size. For example, our 10ft Tube Man/12ft Blower would be a 10ft tube man that’ll stand at 12ft on its hardware. The kit tends to add about 2ft to the overall height.
Here is a breakdown of our advertising balloon man sizes and their prices.
*All prices in this blog were updated February 1, 2024 and may be subject to change.
- 6ft Tube Man ONLY $84.99
o Same graphic on both sides – 0.00 (no upcharge)
o Different graphics on both sides – upcharge of $49.99
o No graphics-text on arms – 0.00 (no upcharge)
o Yes add graphics-text on arms – upcharge of $29.99
- 6ft Tube Man w/ Blower $174.99
o Same graphic on both sides – 0.00 (no upcharge)
o Different graphics on both sides – upcharge of $49.99
o No graphics-text on arms – 0.00 (no upcharge)
o Yes add graphics-text on arms – upcharge of $29.99
- 10ft Tube Man ONLY $139.99
o Same graphic on both sides – 0.00 (no upcharge)
o Different graphics on both sides – upcharge of $49.99
o No graphics-text on arms – 0.00 (no upcharge)
o Yes add graphics-text on arms – upcharge of $29.99
- 10ft Tube Man w/ Blower $249.99
o Same graphic on both sides – 0.00 (no upcharge)
o Different graphics on both sides – upcharge of $49.99
o No graphics-text on arms – 0.00 (no upcharge)
o Yes add graphics-text on arms – upcharge of $29.99
- 18ft Tube Man ONLY $164.99
o Same graphic on both sides – 0.00 (no upcharge)
o Different graphics on both sides – upcharge of $49.99
o No graphics-text on arms – 0.00 (no upcharge)
o Yes add graphics-text on arms – upcharge of $29.99
- 18ft Tube Man w/ Blower $369.99
o Same graphic on both sides – 0.00 (no upcharge)
o Different graphics on both sides – upcharge of $49.99
o No graphics-text on arms – 0.00 (no upcharge)
o Yes add graphics-text on arms – upcharge of $29.99
- 18ft Tube Man ONLY- NO ARMS $139.99
o Same graphic on both sides – 0.00 (no upcharge)
o Different graphics on both sides – upcharge of $49.99
- 18ft Tube Man w/ Blower – NO ARMS $239.99
o Same graphic on both sides – 0.00 (no upcharge)
o Different graphics on both sides – upcharge of $49.99
- 18ft Tube Man ONLY – W/ Arrow $349.99
o Same graphic on both sides – 0.00 (no upcharge)
o Different graphics on both sides – upcharge of $49.99
o No graphics-text on arms – 0.00 (no upcharge)
o Yes add graphics-text on arms – upcharge of $29.99
- 18ft Tube Man W/Blower – W/ Arrow $499.99
o Same graphic on both sides – 0.00 (no upcharge)
o Different graphics on both sides – upcharge of $49.99
o No graphics-text on arms – 0.00 (no upcharge)
o Yes add graphics-text on arms – upcharge of $29.99
Our Tube Man Accessories
Make sure your advertising balloon man stays in top shape with the right accessories! A high-quality air blower is essential for keeping your inflatable dancing man performing at its best.
- Air Blower for 6ft Inflatable Tube Man – $94.50
- Air Blower for 10ft Inflatable Tube Man – $137.99
- Air Blower for 18ft Inflatable Tube Man – $225.00
How to Set Up Your Advertising Balloon Man
Setting up your tube man is simple. First, you want to ensure you have the right equipment for the tube man. At Feather Flag Nation we offer three variations of blowers for the different sizes of tube men. For the 6-foot inflatable dancing man, you would use the blower that has 1/3 horsepower. For our 8-foot tube man, you would use the blower that has 1/2 horsepower. For the 18-foot tube man, you would use the blower that has 1 horsepower.
The blowers add about an extra 2 feet to your advertising balloon man. So if you get the 6-foot tube man, the blower will make it stand at 8 feet. Please make sure to only use the hardware from our company as there is no industry standard in the field. We don’t recommend using our hardware or custom products with another company’s products.
How to Take Care of Your Tube Man
Ensuring the air dancer’s longevity and optimal performance requires proper care and maintenance. Before diving into maintenance, it’s essential to understand the components of your inflatable dancing man. Our sky dancers consist of durable polyester material and a blower to keep them inflated.
Placement & Safety Precautions
When placing the advertising balloon man, please be aware of any sharp objects such as trees, poles or potential hazards. Avoid using the tube man in a location that has a lot of rocks and pebbles as the uplifting airflow can lift small debris and damage the blower or tube man. Also, ensure proper anchoring to prevent tipping or displacement in windy conditions. You can use the inflatable man on windy days, but if the wind becomes aggressive, please bring it inside as it can tear in high winds.
Weather Considerations
Please make sure to check the weather on the day of usage. Do not use it if it’s raining. Be aware of any water systems or sprinklers in the surrounding area. Any water can damage the electrical components inside the blower. To clean your advertising balloon man, first remove the blower. You can hand wash the inflatable dancing man using light soap. Hang them to dry and never put them in the dryer. Also make sure they are completely dry when connecting to the blower.
Your inflatable tube man is an investment that, with proper care, can continue to enhance your business or event. By following these maintenance tips and dedicating a little time to care for it regularly, you can ensure its longevity and sustained effectiveness.
Custom Advertising Balloon Man Design Time
To start your custom design, you first need to consider whether you will do the design yourself or would like us to do it. We have templates available for download here if you’d like to do your own design. Otherwise, you can fill out our FREE design request form, and we’ll do the design for you!
We will email you back a proof of your design within 1-2 hours (if submitted during business hours). You can go back and forth with your designer to get your item looking exactly how you need it! If you submit your own artwork, we will still look over your file and send you a proof. This is to ensure the file you provided is ready for our printing process.
Production Time
Once your advertising balloon man design is finalized, it’s time to order! You can ask your designer for the direct link to the tube man size you have, or you can go to our website and choose your size. After you submit the payment, we will ask you for one final approval on the design before sending it to print. This is one more chance to ensure your design is correct and doesn’t need any additional changes.
Once we have this approval, it takes 3 business days to produce 1-3 advertising balloon men and roughly 3-5 business days for shipping, depending on your location.
Give Them a Chance, and Let Them Dance!
Compared to traditional advertising methods like billboards or TV commercials, these inflatable dancing men can be relatively inexpensive to purchase or rent, making them a cost-effective way to attract attention. They’re versatile and can be used for various purposes and in different locations. Whether indoors or outdoors, at large events or small sales, they can be set up almost anywhere.
Ready to make your business stand out? Click here to start your free design request. And don’t forget to explore our other products, such as flag banners, customizable feather flags, custom vinyl banners, and more today.
