Torquay’s Braille Sign Supplies launches innovative new sign range with improved usability for the blind and vision-impaired

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Brailleface (Image from Braille Sign Supplies website)

Extremely durable with excellent hygiene properties, non-combustible and customizable– Torquay business Braille Sign Supplies has launched an innovative world-first manufacturing method which changes the way metal Braille and Tactile signs are produced.

The newly developed patent-pending process, called BrailleFace, manufactures a continuous- faced metal Braille and Tactile sign, which forms the entire sign from one single piece of material instead of the traditional method of machining holes to manually insert Braille beads, and then fixing graphics to the signs for the raised text and images.

With no parts fixed to the sign in any way, the process creates Braille and Tactile Signs that have outstanding durability, superior hygiene properties and are non-combustible.

Braille Sign Supplies founder Travis Ashford began the business in his garage nearly two decades ago. As a qualified signwriter, he began receiving requests for Braille & Tactile signage, which he found difficult to source. Either they were cheap non-compliant imports, or they were expensive with long lead times. He began the process of learning to make Braille & Tactile signs himself, and soon he outgrew his single car garage, as the business took off with growing demand due to changes to the building code.

Of significant importance in high-volume user areas, such as public transport and in the health sector, is the fact there are no engraved parts to the sign, meaning no grooves or crevices for bacteria to harbor.

A continuous-faced Braille and Tactile sign is much easier and quicker to clean. Mr Ashford said he always felt this was an important aspect of the old method that needed improving, and in today’s environment in the midst of a global pandemic, it is even more relevant.

Not only is this new method safer for the end- user, it is also a more comfortable sign to use, with no sharp edges or engraved parts that could dislodge over time. The smooth surface makes for improved usability for the vision impaired.

The signs are non-flammable and vandal- resistant. Braille Sign Supplies will not only be the first in Australia to use this technology for signs, but the first in the world.

Despite only just being formally launched, the new manufacturing method is already gaining interest in the Australian market and from a number of countries overseas.?It is an exciting time for the innovative Torquay- based business, who took out two major regional business awards last year.

BrailleFace signs are manufactured onsite at their local premises, with 100% of materials sourced from local suppliers. The company has a large range of stock signs available, as well as the ability to produce custom designed work to match a customer’s aesthetic requirements.

The newly developed patent-pending process, called BrailleFace, manufactures a continuous-faced metal Braille and Tactile sign, which forms the entire sign from one single piece of material instead of the traditional method of machining holes to manually insert Braille beads, and then fixing graphics to the signs for the raised text and images.

With no parts fixed to the sign in any way, the process creates Braille and Tactile Signs that have outstanding durability, superior hygiene properties and are non-combustible.

Braille Sign Supplies founder Travis Ashford began the business in his garage nearly two decades ago. As a qualified signwriter, he began receiving requests for Braille & Tactile signage, which he found difficult to source. Either they were cheap non-compliant imports, or they were expensive with long lead times. He began the process of learning to make Braille & Tactile signs himself, and soon he outgrew his single car garage, as the business took off with growing demand due to changes to the building code.

Of significant importance in high-volume user areas, such as public transport and in the health sector, is the fact there are no engraved parts to the sign, meaning no grooves or crevices for bacteria to harbor.

A continuous-faced Braille and Tactile sign is much easier and quicker to clean. Mr Ashford said he always felt this was an important aspect of the old method that needed improving, and in today’s environment in the midst of a global pandemic, it is even more relevant.

Not only is this new method safer for the end user, it is also a more comfortable sign to use, with no sharp edges or engraved parts that could dislodge over time. The smooth surface makes for improved usability for the vision impaired.

The signs are non-flammable and vandal-resistant. Braille Sign Supplies will not only be the first in Australia to use this technology for signs, but the first in the world.

Despite only just being formally launched, the new manufacturing method is already gaining interest in the Australian market and from a number of countries overseas.? It is an exciting time for the innovative Torquay-based business, who took out two major regional business awards last year.

BrailleFace signs are manufactured onsite at their local premises, with 100% of materials sourced from local suppliers. The company has a large range of stock signs available, as well as the ability to produce custom designed work to match a customer’s aesthetic requirements.

For more information please visit the Braille Sign Supplies website.