Letter to the Editor: Raster Braille for ADA Signage

March 14, 2025

Dear Editor,

I would like to thank Kalie VanDewater for covering the important topic of ADA-compliant signage in her recent article, “ADA-Compliant Signage: An Accessible Opportunity for Wide-Format Providers.” It’s great to see this growing area of opportunity highlighted for print service providers, and I appreciate the focus on how it can contribute to both accessibility and
business growth.

Rich Gigl, President, National/AZON

In addition to the valuable insights shared about UV printing technology for ADA-compliant signage, I’d like to suggest that reprographic shops also consider adding Raster Braille engraving equipment to their offerings. This technology ensures that signage meets ADA standards for Braille while providing a durable, tactile solution for the visually impaired.

Raster Braille, particularly the Accent Braille Sign Method, is considered the gold standard in the industry. It has been proven for decades to be durable, industrial-grade, and fully automated.

This method meets all federal ADA guidelines and offers excellent throughput, yield, and quality when paired with the Vision Engraving and Routing System. Vision is the world’s largest provider of Raster Braille systems with the Accent system, offering a reliable and well-supported solution for businesses entering the ADA signage market.

There are only two ADA-compliant UV printers on the market, and while they are an excellent choice for creating signage in many areas, they do come with certain challenges. These include issues like banding on solid graphics, adhesion problems, and concerns with UV ink durability, especially regarding the longevity of prints in high-touch areas and outdoors. Additionally, color contrast—particularly when using glossy finishes—can sometimes be problematic for ADA compliance. These challenges can be mitigated, but they are important factors for reprographic shops to consider when choosing UV printing for ADA signage.

UV printers are ideal for signage in spaces where Braille is not required, such as:

Rooms that don’t serve a permanent function
Temporary signage (posted for less than seven days)
Building directories and addresses
Parking signage, advertising, and company logos

For areas requiring permanent tactile Braille signage, Raster Braille engraving equipment offers a reliable, durable solution that meets ADA compliance standards. I encourage reprographic shops to explore this technology as part of their ADA signage offerings to meet the growing demand and offer comprehensive solutions to their customers.

In the summer of 2024, our company became an exclusive provider of Vision Engraving equipment for the reprographics industry and we’ve seen its success. Our customers share that the equipment pays for itself in just a few months. This speaks to two key insights: first, the demand is undeniable, and second, the equipment effectively delivers on its promise.

Once again, thank you for bringing attention to this vital topic, and I hope this additional insight helps your readers further understand the options for producing high-quality, compliant signage while expanding their service capabilities.