Production techniques and materials
How can you make a story accessible to a young child with limited or no vision? One effective approach is to create a tactile book featuring braille and tactile images and possibly incorporating 3D objects and audio elements.
This chapter explores well-established techniques and materials commonly used by printing houses and schools as well as introducing lesser-known possibilities employed by artists and designers, and simple materials and techniques which can be used at home.
The unique properties of materials and techniques play an essential role in how well a story or information will be conveyed to a child. What can be felt very well in one technique or material might not be so tangible in another. The design process involves making thoughtful choices regarding the suitability for different types of tactile books and tactile graphics.
Collaborating with experts in tactile design and individuals with visual impairments can help to ensure that the designs meet the needs of the intended users. Before developing a new tactile book or graphics, it is advisable to establish a comprehensive briefing outlining the specific educational and design criteria. Key considerations include:
- Determining the purpose.
- Specifying the age group and cognitive abilities of the intended readers.
- Identifying the context in which it will be used.
- Is it a standalone or part of a series?
- Available budget and other resources for design and production.
Collage
For the purpose of these guidelines, we are using the term ‘collage’ for tactile illustrations which are not printed but rather fabricated using different materials. There is an incredible wealth of natural and synthetic materials which can be used to make a tactile collage book / illustration. One of the most important aspects is child safety and durability. Furthermore, environmental factors play an increasingly important role.
Choosing materials for their unique properties can be time consuming. Remember to think tactile. You might try closing your eyes when choosing materials, and don’t forget to test these with the children. Some materials might look different but not feel different. Look for materials with specific textures which you can categorize in terms of their tactile qualities and maybe other sensory triggers such as smell or sound or another form of haptic feedback. Suggestions for materials and techniques can be found in the full guidelines.
Tactile collage books and illustrations provide an unmistakable and rich tactile reading experience. However, they are relatively complex, time consuming and expensive to produce due to the variety of materials and techniques used, including handwork. It can also be challenging to repair damaged books or produce later re-editions using the same materials.
Swell paper
Using swell for tactile graphics is a relatively simple, fast and low-cost method of reproducing tactile graphics such as drawings, maps, diagrams and braille. Unlike other techniques, this technique is interesting for single use, small series and for prototyping.
This method works with a swell form machine (heat fuser) and swell touch paper which reacts to black ink or toner containing carbon, and heat. When a drawing on this coated paper is exposed to heat through the machine, the black areas swell (puff), resulting in raised lines, textures and patterns in slightly varying heights. It’s basically a one-level relief technique. There are several brands of paper and swell ovens, which may give different results regarding crispness. This technique works well with line drawings and clear textured areas. Colour may be added to make visual enhancements; however dark colours may swell unintendedly. It’s also possible to print accompanying text by giving this a percentage of black (for instance 20%) so that it remains visible but without swelling. The machine is compact and safe to use in classrooms. It has an inbuilt fan which keeps the machine cool and allows for the tactile graphics to be used instantly.
Swell touch paper, also known as microcapsule paper, puff paper or fuser paper and is available under various trade names including ZyTex, Tangible Magic Paper, Minolta Paper, Matsumoto and Flexi-Paper. As with any technique it’s worthwhile investing time to discover its full potential.
Screen printing
Screen printing (also known as silkscreen or serigraphy) is a popular and versatile printing technique used to transfer designs onto various surfaces, including paper, fabrics, wood, metal, and more. The process works by blocking or forcing ink to pass through specific areas of a fine mesh screen onto a carrier. The technique lends itself well to printing in relief and allows for durable and vibrant designs including braille. There are a wide range of inks available, also with special tactile effects such as glitter or suede and scent so it’s worthwhile experimenting first to create the desired result. So-called braille ink is a transparent varnish which can be used to superimpose on an area already printed with colour inks. It’s also possible to create more complex designs by building up layers of inks and effects. In terms of cost, screen printing is interesting for larger print runs.
Thermoforming
Thermoforming is a popular and effective method for creating tactile graphics with braille. It is a semi-automated technique which can be used for larger quantities. This process involves heating a plastic sheet and then forming it into a 3D shape, creating raised and textured surfaces that can be felt through touch. When well executed the result can be almost three-dimensional and highly realistic. It is a method widely used for producing tactile diagrams, maps, signage and even books. Thermoforming plastic sheets (for instance Brailon) are typically made of materials like polystyrene or PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol). The sheets come in various thicknesses, with thinner sheets suitable for simple graphics and thicker sheets for more complex, durable graphics. A mould, made from wood, aluminium, plastic, etc. is used to create the 3D shapes of the tactile graphics and braille. 3D printing, laser cutting, casting, hand crafting and real objects can be used to create moulds.
The thermoforming plastic sheet is placed into the heating unit of the thermoforming machine. The plastic is heated until it becomes pliable and soft but not melted. The mould or template is placed above or below the plastic sheet, depending on the machine’s design. A vacuum system is activated, which pulls the heated plastic sheet onto the mould, forming the raised and textured tactile graphics. After forming, the plastic sheet needs to cool and solidify before being carefully removed from the mould. The vacuum form sheets should be kept away from heat seeing as they can buckle or even melt. They can also become brittle so it’s always good to keep a master copy for reference and the original mould.
Thermography
Thermographic printing is a printing technique that can be used for braille and textured images on paper and other materials. It involves the use of special inks that contain heat-sensitive resins that bonds and expand under intense heat. Thermographic printing is traditionally known for its ability to add a luxurious touch to printed materials, such as business cards, letterheads and invitations but it is also used for printing braille and raised line drawings.
The ink used is a mixture of pigments, resins, and other chemicals. Slow-drying inks are applied to the areas selected for raised printing, followed by the thermographic powder. A vacuum system removes excess powder before the printed material is passed through a heating element or oven, causing the resin in the ink to melt and become a liquid. A raised effect is created when the resin liquefies and swells. Once the material exits the heating element, the resin is cooled and solidifies, locking the raised texture in place so that the graphics are ready to handle straight away. If colour is used (thermography powder turns transparent when heated) the pigment of the ink is sealed, ensuring that it doesn’t smudge or fade. In that sense it is very durable.
Elevated printing (2.5D Textural printing)
State of the art flatbed printers can now create high quality full colour elevated prints on a wide range of materials. For tactile illustrations and braille, printers with a height range of 0–1 mm or 0–2 mm should be sufficient (braille is generally set at 0.6 mm). There are flatbeds which can print up to 5 mm which can be used for signage, maps or artistic applications. Layers of white ink are applied to build up the textured height, followed by the top coloured layer and if required a final UV coating for extra protection.
Embossing
Embossing boasts a rich history, dating back to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians who utilized this technique on metal and leather to craft intricate tactile patterns and textures. It has continued to evolve over time for the purpose of creating raised or three-dimensional patterns and designs for both aesthetic and practical applications such as embossed braille on medicine packaging. The embossing process involves exerting pressure on a material (sometimes in conjunction with moisture and heat) using a set of dies to generate a raised image or texture on the material’s surface.
A press is typically used for larger print runs, in paper weights up to approximately 200 grams for leaflets and brochures and 250 grams for business cards. Additionally, braille can be punched into heavier materials, including heavy papers, cardstock, plastic, zinc and aluminium, using a Marburg Embossing Machine. Each sheet has to be positioned manually which is a time-consuming process, but the resulting braille is of a very high quality. Common uses may include books, covers, signs or other materials requiring durability for repeated use.
UV and LED-UV Digital printing
There is a wide range of UV and LED-UV digital printers that use ultraviolet light to cure (or dry) inks for fast and versatile printing. Specialty inks, varnishes and lacquers are often used commercially for special effects on packaging. Some printers can also be used for tactile graphics and braille.
Depending on the type of printer, there is a range of inks, varnishes and lacquers which can be used to give a textured, tangible effect. This example, printed on a Mutoh, shows the use of flexible inks for printing tactile maps on lightweight coated paper which can then be rolled up for traveling. The embossed effect for braille, lines and textures has been built up in layers.
Braille images
Creating images using braille dots, sometimes in combination with written information in braille has a long history and can be found in books and standalone pieces. Braille designs can either be created by hand or printed digitally.
Using a pattern and a braille writer or a slate and stylus, teachers, parents and children can create their own tactile images. An extensive library of existing patterns as well as instructions for making your own drawings can be found online.
There is a growing range of braille embossers (printers) available on the market. For production purposes there are heavy-duty, multifunctional embossers, while for home use there are small, affordable embossers. Using special software these embossers can print braille and images. Depending on the model, some embossers can print images with up to 8 levels of braille dots, combine braille with colour print, print music notation and so on.
Manual braille and raised lines
There are many simple techniques for making raised line drawings and braille by hand.
Braille text
- Braille writer: for typing braille on paper or thin plastic sheets.
- Slate and stylus: a portable and cheap way of writing braille by hand.
- Braille Dymo Tape Labeler: handy for making labels (the letters on the dial are in braille and print).
- Braille embosser (printer): there are smaller, more affordable models available which print braille and tactile images.
- Tactile paints: the paints work best on smooth, coated materials, and require a very steady hand.
- Beads: there are small beads with flat self-adhesive backs available and also small beads which can be sewn very carefully by hand.
- Thread: with practise and patience it’s possible to sew braille
Raised line drawings
- Tactile drawing board: use a ballpen or stylus to draw tactile images directly onto paper or embossing film (also known as German film). There are several boards on the market but it’s possible to make your own using a rubber mat or silicon baking mat.
- Tactile paints such as ‘Blob Paint’ (ViVa), 3D Liner (water based; some have glitter added for a slightly rougher texture), fabric paints.
- Gluing string.
- Pipe cleaners.
- Wikki-Stix.
- Water soluble markers on Quick-draw paper (this is in fact compressed sponge).
- Spur wheel to create a texture or line.
