If you are getting ready to set up for a trade show, festival, or other entertainment or sales event, it’s important to understand the difference between commercial inflatables and consumer inflatables. Based on the needs of your business and the kinds of events that you are staffing, you might use commercial inflatables or consumer inflatables.
When comparing commercial and consumer inflatables, they vary most dramatically in terms of materials, usage, setup, length of use, use of electricity, and safety. The team at Instent has put together this straightforward guide so that you can determine which type of inflatable is optimal for your business or organization.
Materials
If you are getting ready to set up for a trade show, festival, or other entertainment or sales event, it’s important to understand the difference between commercial inflatables and consumer inflatables. Based on the needs of your business and the kinds of events that you are staffing, you might use commercial inflatables or consumer inflatables.
When comparing commercial and consumer inflatables, they vary most dramatically in terms of materials, usage, setup, length of use, use of electricity, and safety. The team at Instent has put together this straightforward guide so that you can determine which type of inflatable is optimal for your business or organization.
Usage
Normally, commercial-grade inflatables are used in business settings for promotion and advertising at events. They can also be used to establish a business’s brand. Professionals who know how to set up and work with commercial inflatables will install these at events such as marketing campaigns, trade shows, and community festivals. Commercial inflatables, such as inflatable arches and other inflatable structures, may be used with other custom commercial structures to reach a customer base or a wider audience.
Consumer inflatables, such as inflatable holiday yard decorations, are used by individual people, families, and small communities. Usually, consumer inflatables are used recreationally in the home, such as for events in the yard and holiday celebrations. Consumer inflatables, like inflatable costumes, are more used for short-term entertainment and are not used to establish a brand or achieve business objectives.
Length of Use
Commercial inflatables are built from certain materials that allow them to be used for a longer period of time than consumer inflatables. Inflatable apparatuses, like interactive inflatables, need to be able to function for long periods without malfunctioning. Quality commercial inflatables, like custom inflatable replicas, can also stay intact despite multiple inflation and deflation cycles.
Because consumer inflatables do not need to be functional for extended lengths of time, and may only be used one time per year, they are not made to withstand long periods of use like commercial inflatables are.
Electricity Use
Usually, to maintain the structure or shape of a commercial inflatable, such as inflatable replicas, strong fans or blowers that consume a lot of electricity must be utilized. Therefore, to keep a commercial inflatable, such as inflatable buildings or other large structures, fully inflated, there will need to be a strong power supply that can function over long periods of time.
While consumer inflatables do consume electricity, they do not have as high of an electricity requirement as commercial inflatables do. They can usually be used by connecting to the residential power grid without any problems.
Safety
Because commercial inflatables are typically used at events with large numbers of people, it’s important to make sure that they are safe. Therefore, they must pass safety tests during the design and fabrication process while being up to the industry standard. Professionals must be specifically trained on how to set up and take down each structure, taking all safety precautions into account.
Consumer inflatables must also follow certain safety standards but not to the same level as commercial inflatables. The responsibility for safety falls more on the consumer and user than on specific staff. Precautions such as correct anchoring and observing weight limits must be taken, which should be available in a safety manual.
Examples of Specific Commercial vs. Consumer Inflatables
Inflatable Arches
Commercial inflatable arches are used at large events and can be set up and taken down often. When in use, they can last for long periods of time. They may be used at sporting events, races, and carnivals. Consumer-grade inflatable arches are not used as often, but they might be seen at birthday parties or baby showers.
Inflatable Buildings and Structures
Commercial-grade inflatable structures are used for exhibitions and other large-scale installations. Consumer-grade structures might be used for parties or outdoor camping.
Find the Inflatable Solution That Meets Your Needs
The kind of inflatable that you, your family, or your business may need depends on your goals, your operating schedule, and your needs. Whether you are hosting a large anniversary party or want to increase the visibility of your business’s branding, Instent can help support you with your inflatable needs.
