The Sky's the Limit

In the world of giant inflatable advertisements, Above and Beyond rules the skies. Since opening its doors in 1991, the Irvine, CA-based firm has grown from a small two-man operation into a worldwide supplier of giant balloons, blimps, banners and more.

Above and Beyond creations range from digitally printed PromoTent pop-up tents to 30’ long hand-sewn blimps and balloons all created with one common goal in mind – Think Big.

“We have a very simple design philosophy,” Paul Chaklos said. “The more customized the better. And the AJ-1000 gives us just what we need to make to make a customer’s vision come to life.”

Above and Beyond inflatables fly high above retailers, dealerships, trade shows, sporting events, swap meets and festivals, adding that visual punch that only a giant, floating or rooftop 3D sign can give.

“If you can imagine it, we can create it,” said Mike Chaklos, who co-owns the company with his brother Paul. “We can take almost any object and create a giant 3D inflatable from it.”

To print these bigger-than-life ads, Above and Beyond relies on its Roland AJ-1000, the fastest and most advanced grand-format printer in its class. With a blazing production speed of 968 sqft./hr., advanced Eco-Extreme solvent inks, unattended printing capabilities and numerous high performance features, the AJ-1000 delivers the fast, precision images Above and Beyond requires.

“We have a very simple design philosophy,” Paul Chaklos said. “The more customized the better. And the AJ-1000 gives us just what we need to make to make a customer’s vision come to life.”

The Above and Beyond portfolio includes thousands of custom pieces including popular local icons such as that giant champagne bottle that pops its cork at the world-famous Laguna Beach Pageant of the Masters; a super-sized 25’ Alaskan Whale, a truly unique parade float; and the fabulous Hummer Jumper, the ultimate in birthday party entertainment.

These wild inflatables are produced alongside elegant banners and signs for the company’s more buttoned-down corporate clients including Atlantic Records. It seems though, in the world of grand-format printing, everyone wants their inflatables “yesterday.”

“We are a very busy shop, running on tight deadlines,” Mike Chaklos said. “So the unattended printing capabilities are critical. We can confidently leave the AJ-1000 running overnight and we get great finished prints the next morning. In all, Roland gives us the ultimate in value, performance and productivity.”