At East Van Print, we are proud to offer high-quality custom Braille signs designed to ensure accessibility and inclusivity for everyone. Whether for public buildings, businesses, or educational institutions, Braille signage plays a crucial role in meeting accessibility standards and accommodating people with visual impairments.
If you’re looking for Braille signs in Canada, look no further—we provide expert printing services right here in Vancouver. Contact Us Today!
What Is Braille Signage?
Braille signage refers to signs that include Braille, a tactile writing system used by visually impaired individuals. Braille uses raised dots to represent letters and numbers, allowing people to read by touch.
Braille signs are crucial for accessibility, enabling individuals with vision impairments to navigate public spaces, identify rooms, and access information independently.
In many countries, including Canada, Braille signs are required by law in public buildings, businesses, and institutions to ensure spaces are inclusive for everyone. These signs typically feature both tactile lettering and Braille dots, making them readable by both sighted and visually impaired individuals.
At East Van Print, we ensure that all of our Braille signage complies with accessibility standards while also offering customization options to suit your brand’s style.
Why Choose Custom Braille Signs?
Braille signs are not just about compliance; they are essential tools that foster inclusivity by helping people with visual impairments navigate spaces independently.
At East Van Print, we specialize in creating Braille signs that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, making sure they integrate seamlessly with your business environment while adhering to all necessary regulations.
Our Braille Signage Options
We offer a range of custom Braille signs to suit different needs:
- ADA-Compliant Braille Signs: All of our Braille signage is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ensuring that they meet legal requirements for accessibility.
- Indoor and Outdoor Braille Signs: Whether you need durable signs for outdoor use or sleek designs for indoor settings, we have you covered.
- Custom Designs: From directional signs to room identification, our design team will work with you to create signage that reflects your brand’s look while ensuring accessibility.
Types of Braille Signs and Their Making Methods
Creating Braille signs involves a combination of precision, durability, and accessibility to ensure the finished product meets industry standards. There are several methods used to produce these signs, each suited to different environments and applications.
At East Van Print, we specialize in multiple techniques to provide custom Braille solutions, including Braille boards and other signage.
1. Engraved Braille Signs
Engraving is one of the most common methods for producing Braille signage. In this process, raised dots and tactile characters are precisely carved or engraved into the sign material, which is typically metal or plastic. This method ensures the Braille is durable and long-lasting, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
Engraved signs are often chosen for high-traffic areas where wear and tear is a concern.
- Materials: Metals (like aluminum or stainless steel), plastics, and acrylics.
- Benefits: Highly durable and weather-resistant, making them perfect for permanent or outdoor installations.
2. UV Printed Braille Signs
UV printing is a modern technique that uses ultraviolet light to cure ink directly onto the sign surface. This allows for a smooth and vibrant finish with clear Braille dots and tactile characters.
UV printing is particularly useful for creating multi-color designs or incorporating brand logos into your Braille signs, providing both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
At East Van Print, we use UV printing technology to produce Braille signage that not only complies with accessibility standards but also adds a professional, polished look to your space. UV printing is ideal for businesses looking for high-quality Braille boards with customized designs.
- Materials: Typically printed on acrylic, plastic, or aluminum panels.
- Benefits: High precision, customizable designs, and a fast production process, making it a versatile choice for businesses of all kinds.
3. Photopolymer Braille Signs
Photopolymer Braille signs are created using a UV light-sensitive material, which is hardened to create raised Braille dots and tactile characters. This method results in a seamless and smooth surface, where both the text and Braille are part of the same material.
Photopolymer signs are durable, chemical-resistant, and easy to clean, making them a great option for hospitals, schools, and other high-traffic areas.
- Materials: Photopolymer panels.
- Benefits: Durable, resistant to damage and chemicals, suitable for a variety of environments.
4. Applied Tactile Braille Signs
In this method, tactile Braille dots and raised letters are made separately and then applied to the sign surface. Adhesive materials are used to secure the Braille components in place. This method offers flexibility in design and allows for the use of different materials and finishes, making it a good choice for businesses looking for specific design elements on their signs.
- Materials: Acrylic, plastics, metals.
- Benefits: Customizable, easy to apply, suitable for intricate designs.
5. Thermoformed Braille Signs
Thermoforming involves heating a sheet of plastic and then shaping it into a mold that creates raised Braille dots and tactile characters. This method is cost-effective for producing large quantities of Braille signs, such as those needed in hospitals, universities, or large public facilities.
Thermoformed signs are highly durable and resistant to wear, making them an excellent choice for long-term installations.
- Materials: Plastics and acrylics.
- Benefits: Durable, cost-effective for bulk production, weather-resistant.
Right Method for Your Braille Signage
The best production method for your Braille signage depends on several factors, including the sign’s intended location, the level of detail required, and your budget. Whether you need a simple Braille board for indoor use or a highly durable sign for an outdoor environment, East Van Print has the right solution.
Our expert team can help you choose the best method to create Braille signs that meet both functional and aesthetic needs, ensuring accessibility and style go hand in hand.
Braille Signage Requirements
When it comes to ensuring accessibility, there are specific requirements that Braille signage must meet to comply with legal standards and provide effective assistance to individuals with visual impairments.
These requirements vary slightly by country, but the overarching goal remains the same: to make public spaces accessible to all.
General Braille Signage Requirements
- Raised Characters and Braille: Signs should include both raised tactile characters and Grade 2 Braille to be accessible to a wider audience. The raised characters should be between 0.8 and 2.0 mm in height, ensuring they are easy to read by touch.
- Font Size and Spacing: Characters should be large enough to be easily readable, typically at least 5/8 inches (16 mm) tall. The spacing between letters, lines of text, and Braille dots should be uniform and in accordance with regulatory standards for optimal readability.
- Sign Location: Braille signs are usually placed at a consistent height (48 to 60 inches from the floor) on the latch side of doors to ensure ease of access. They should be mounted where people are likely to touch them, without obstructions.
- Color Contrast: To assist individuals with partial vision, Braille signage must feature a high level of contrast between the background and text. This ensures that even sighted individuals with low vision can read the signs effectively.
- Non-Glare Finish: The surface of the sign should have a matte or non-glare finish to ensure that it can be easily read by sight without light reflections interfering.
Braille Signage Requirements in Canada
In Canada, Braille signage must comply with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and provincial accessibility guidelines such as those outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) or British Columbia’s Accessibility Legislation.
These rules align closely with international standards, with additional emphasis on inclusivity in public spaces.
Key Canadian requirements include:
- CSA B651-18 Standard: The CSA B651-18 provides detailed guidelines on accessible design, including specifications for Braille signage. Signs must feature raised, tactile characters and Grade 1 or 2 Braille, depending on the intended use, and must be placed in predictable, accessible locations.
- Bilingual Signage: In bilingual provinces like Quebec, Braille signs may need to include both English and French, with the appropriate Braille translation for each language.
- Compliance with Local Accessibility Acts: Specific provinces, like Ontario under the AODA, have further requirements. Businesses and public buildings must install Braille signage in restrooms, elevators, stairwells, and other key areas. Failing to comply with these regulations can result in fines or penalties.
By adhering to these standards, businesses can ensure that their Braille signage is not only compliant with legal requirements but also genuinely helpful to those with visual impairments. At East Van Print, we are familiar with these regulations and can help create Braille signs that meet all necessary guidelines while maintaining a professional appearance.
High-Quality Braille Signage for Every Need
We use top-grade materials and cutting-edge technology to produce Braille signs that are built to last. Our signs are tactile, easy to read, and designed with precision to ensure every Braille dot is correctly spaced for readability.
Plus, we offer a variety of options for colors, finishes, and materials to match your specific needs.
Braille Signs Across Canada
While East Van Print is based in Vancouver, our services extend throughout Canada. We proudly offer shipping across the country, making it easier than ever to get top-tier Braille signs in Canada, regardless of where your business is located. Whether you’re in Vancouver or elsewhere, our team is ready to assist with your custom Braille sign needs.
Why Choose East Van Print?
- Expertise: With years of experience in printing services, we specialize in creating signage that meets both functional and aesthetic requirements.
- Quality Materials: We use durable materials that ensure your Braille signs will withstand the test of time.
- Fast Turnaround: We know time is crucial. That’s why we prioritize efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of quality.
- Customer Service: We work closely with you throughout the process to ensure that every sign we create meets your expectations.
Get Started with Custom Braille Signs Today
Make your space accessible to everyone with custom Braille signage from East Van Print. We are committed to helping businesses in Vancouver and across Canada improve accessibility through high-quality Braille signs. Contact us today or Get a free quote to get started!