What are Tube men?
Tube men, also known as air dancers or sky dancers, are those tall, inflatable, wavy figures 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 size, make them highly visible and eye-catching, drawing attention to the business or event they’re promoting. They’re an effective way to attract customers and increase visibility, especially in outdoor settings where traditional signs might not stand out as much.
Tube Man History
A simple google search would tell you that it was Peter Minshall, who made it for the 1996 summer Olympics. However, that is not entirely true, as there where actually 2 other major contributors to its creation. Doron Gazit and Arieh Leon Dranger (went by LouLou).
With this newfound motivation and inspired 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 more-so of 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, to trees, to buildings and structures. Eventually his art was recognized and was 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 tube man that would appear to be dancing in the air. Seeking help from AirDD, Gazit as well as LouLou were on the job.
What is a Tube Man?
Tube 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 Tube 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 inflatables 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.
The popularity of Tube Men 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 inflatables to represent mascots, characters, or 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?
They’re 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. Tube men are commonly used as advertising tools. Whether it’s a clearance sale, grand opening, or special promotion, tube men can attract attention and direct foot traffic to the event. They can 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.
These inflatable figures can be used to attract visitors to booths, stalls, or attractions at outdoor events, making them more visible in crowded areas. Attract attention to your booth 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.
They 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 the 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.
We currently have deals available for our tube men. Our BOGO deal, which allows you to buy two 20ft custom tube 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 are ready to ship. You can explore our tube men or our many other products such as feather flags, vinyl banners, yard signs, and more on our website featherflagnation.com.
Our Tube Man
Like many of our other products, we carry both stock and custom versions of tube men. With many designs already printed and ready to go, you can order a tube man body anytime you need one. Just remember we can’t modify already printed tube men, so stock comes as they are. Perfect for when you are in a pinch and need something right away. We also have a selection of well-known characters and air dancers for the holiday season! Check out our library of stock tube men on Feather Flag Nation.
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. Wacky balloons, or as we call them, tube men, are fun to play with as far as design goes. A recent customer asked us to replicate their husband as a fun surprise gift. You can try to replicate it the best we can.
Our custom tube men follow the same protocol for 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 design. From there your designer will let you know how to move forward with purchasing. Most likely it will be a link to check out on our website. You will not have to submit your artwork again.
Depending on how many you need printed, 1-4 items will take our standard production time of 3 business days. Any more items than that and we might have to check with our production team. After production time, shipping can take anywhere from 2-5 business days depending on your shipping location. Just keep in mind we do not start production time until payment and final approval are given.
Tube Man Sizes & Prices
Tube Man prices vary depending on the size and/if you choose to make a custom Tube Man. Keep in mind that the Blower also varies in prices and size depending on the Tube Man. Our Current Tube Man sizes are; 6ft/8ft, 10ft/12ft, & 18ft/20ft. The first size will be 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 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
Tube Man Accesories
Air Blower for 10ft Inflatable Tube Man – $137.99
Air Blower for 18ft Inflatable Tube Man – $225.00
How to set up a tube man.
Setting up your tube man is simple. You first want to make sure 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 tube 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. 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 their longevity and optimal performance requires proper care and maintenance. Before diving into maintenance, it’s essential to understand the components of your inflatable tube man. Our sky dancers consist of durable polyester material, and a blower to keep it inflated.
When placing the tube man, please be aware of any sharp objects such as trees, poles or potential hazards. Avoid using the inflatable 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 make sure there is proper anchoring to prevent tipping or displacement in windy conditions. You can use the inflatable man on windy days but if the winds become aggressive, please bring them inside as they can tear in high winds.
Please make sure to check the weather on day of usage. Do not use it if its 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 air puppets, first remove from blower. You can hand wash the inflatable man using light soap. Hang them to dry and never put them in the dryer. Also make sure they are completely dry when connecting it 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 Design Time
To start your custom design, the first thing you need to consider is are you doing the design yourself, or would you 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 flag 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 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 you don’t need any additional changes. Once we have this approval, it takes 3 business days to produce 1-3 Tube man 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 sky dancers 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.
Beyond advertising, tube men often provide entertainment value. Kids and adults alike find them amusing and fun to watch, adding a sense of whimsy to a location. Their uniqueness makes them memorable. People tend to remember businesses or events associated with these eye-catching inflatable figures. By drawing attention to a location, tube men can potentially increase foot traffic, leading to more visits or sales for businesses. Click here to start a design request.
Conclusion
As we wrap up our journey through the whimsical universe of tube men, it’s evident that these inflatable figures are more than just attention-grabbing spectacles lining the streets. They’re animated ambassadors of creativity, weaving a story of their own in the world of advertising and pop culture.
From their humble beginnings as mere inflatables to their now-iconic status, tube men have managed to dance their way into our collective consciousness. Beyond their rhythmic movements and vibrant colors lies a tale of innovation and adaptability. As businesses utilize these inflatable characters to amplify their messages, we witness a dynamic synergy between marketing and entertainment.
It’s fascinating to think about the impact that these seemingly simple figures can have on our perception and engagement. In a world inundated with stimuli, tube men stand out as quirky, memorable symbols that can transform a mundane day into a playful spectacle. They transcend their inflatable form, becoming symbols of attention and joy, leaving an indelible mark on the passerby.
So, as we conclude this exploration into the world of tube men, let’s carry with us the appreciation for the unexpected. Let’s continue to embrace the unconventional, finding inspiration in the unlikeliest of places. Whether you encounter a tube man in a bustling city or a small-town street, remember the stories they tell and the smiles they evoke.
As the wind orchestrates their whimsical dance, let it serve as a reminder to stay adaptable, to move with the rhythm of life, and to infuse a bit of spontaneity into our routines. In the ever-evolving landscape of advertising and culture, tube men remain as lively symbols of creativity and innovation.
Thank you for joining us on this playful exploration of tube men. As we step away from the dance floor, let’s carry the spirit of these inflatable ambassadors into our own endeavors, infusing a touch of vibrancy and unexpected joy into everything we do. Until the next dance, stay curious, stay creative, and keep embracing the colorful surprises that surround us.