Braille Signage: How We Produced 268 Custom Signs for a Commercial Building in Cork

When we got the call about producing 268 braille signs for a new building in Cork, I’ll admit it was exciting. After 11 years in the laser cutting and engraving business, you’d think we’ve seen everything, but this was our first major braille signage project. It was a chance to showcase how we could combine our laser engraving capabilities with UV printing technology to create fully compliant, professional braille signs at scale.

The project challenged us to deliver precision, quality, and compliance across hundreds of individual signs. The building couldn’t open until these signs were in place, so there was real pressure to get everything right. What made it particularly interesting was how we needed to blend different technologies – laser engraving for the standard text and imagery, and UV resin printing for the tactile braille dots. Here’s how we approached it and what we learned along the way.

Understanding the Braille Signage Requirements

The customer came to us with specific needs. They wanted 268 individual signs using two-tone laminates. That choice of material was important because laser laminate panels give you that professional, durable finish that’s perfect for commercial buildings. The two-tone aspect means when you laser engrave through the top layer, you reveal a contrasting colour underneath, making the text incredibly crisp and easy to read.

But here’s where it gets interesting with braille signage – you need more than just visual contrast. The braille dots themselves need to be raised, tactile elements that meet exact specifications. That’s where our Arist Jet 5000 UV printer came in. Instead of just engraving the dots, we printed them using UV resin, which builds up a raised surface at precisely the right height and diameter.

Every single braille dot had to meet the specified size requirements. We weren’t guessing – we verified each measurement using a micro monitor to ensure compliance. When you’re producing signage for accessibility, there’s no room for “close enough.” The dots need to be exactly right so that people who rely on braille can read them accurately.

The Mock-Up and Approval Process

Before we manufactured a single sign, we created mock-ups. With 268 signs in the project, you can’t just start producing and hope for the best. We made sample versions of each sign design and sent them to the customer for review and sign-off.

This stage is crucial for any large braille signage order. The customer could see exactly what they were getting – the two-tone laminate finish, the engraved text and imagery, and most importantly, the raised braille dots. They could verify that everything met their specifications and matched their building’s requirements.

All of this communication happened via email and image sharing. We’d send over photos and specifications, they’d review them, and we’d get text confirmation before proceeding. There were a couple of minor adjustments needed, but nothing major. This digital workflow kept everything documented and meant we had clear approval every step of the way.

Combining Laser Engraving with UV Printing for Braille

The technical side of this project was fascinating. We used laser laminate panels as our base material, then laser engraved the standard text and any imagery onto each sign. Laser engraving on laminate gives you incredibly sharp, permanent markings that won’t fade or wear off over time.

Then came the braille component. Our Arist Jet 5000 UV printer allowed us to print the braille dots in raised UV resin. This is different from embossing or other methods – UV printing builds up the material in layers, creating perfectly formed dots at the exact height and size required by braille standards.

The combination of these two technologies – laser engraving and UV printing – is what makes us particularly well-suited for braille signage projects. The laser gives you precision and permanence for the visual elements, whilst the UV printer delivers the tactile components that make the signs accessible. It’s a perfect marriage of capabilities that many businesses don’t have under one roof.

Making Installation Simple with Adhesive Backing

Producing quality braille signage is only half the battle – you also need to make installation straightforward for your customer. In this case, the signs were going to an installation contractor who would be fitting them throughout the building.

We applied 3M double-sided adhesive tape to the back of every single sign. This meant the installation team could simply peel off the backing and stick each sign in place. No drilling, no specialised tools, no complicated fixtures. For a project with 268 individual signs, that efficiency matters enormously.

We also added English translation labels to each sign. This might seem like a small detail, but it was important for the installation team. They needed to quickly understand what each braille sign said so they could place it in the correct location throughout the building. Those labels made their job much easier and reduced the risk of signs being installed in the wrong spots.

Shipping and the Final Result

Once all 268 signs were manufactured, verified, and fitted with adhesive backing, we shipped them to the installation customer. Here in Ballinagh, County Cavan, we’re set up to handle shipping all over Ireland through An Post and DPD, so getting the signs safely to Cork was straightforward.

The feedback we received was genuinely positive. The customer confirmed that the braille signage met all their requirements and that it allowed them to open their building fully compliant with accessibility regulations. That’s the outcome we were aiming for – not just producing signs, but enabling our customer to complete their project and open their doors.

For us at TechCreate, this project demonstrated something important about our capabilities. We’d never done a braille signage project of this scale before, but our combination of laser engraving and UV printing equipment meant we could deliver professional, compliant results. It’s opened our eyes to a whole new market where we can help businesses, building contractors, and property managers meet their accessibility requirements.

Ready to Discuss Your Braille Signage Project?

Whether you need one sign or two hundred and sixty-eight, we’re equipped to handle braille signage projects of any size. Our combination of laser engraving expertise and UV printing technology means we can produce fully compliant, professional signs that meet accessibility standards.

We’re particularly interested in working with printing shops across Ireland who want to expand their offerings. If you’ve got customers asking about braille signage but you don’t have the equipment to produce it in-house, we can help. We handle the technical production whilst you maintain the customer relationship – a perfect outsourcing arrangement.

Based in Ballinagh, County Cavan, we ship throughout Ireland and bring 11 years of experience to every project. If you’d like to discuss a braille signage project or get a quote for your specific requirements, get in touch with us at TechCreate. We’ll walk you through the process, create mock-ups for your approval, and deliver signs that meet compliance standards and look professional.