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UV-Printed Tactile Signage & Diagrams

Durable, high-contrast tactile solutions for wayfinding, rooms, maps, labels and more, with English, Te Reo Māori, and Braille.

UV printing and how ours works

UV printing uses special inks that cure instantly under ultraviolet light, so the print bonds to a wide range of rigid materials without smudging or long dry times. Because the ink cures in place, we can build up multiple layers in precise registration to create tactile elements including Braille, raised arrows, borders, and textures, alongside full-colour graphics.

At AFS we use a Roland MO-240 Flatbed UV Printer. The flatbed holds panels steady while we print, letting us keep Braille placement accurate, edges clean, and repeat settings for reprints. We prototype a first-article proof to confirm tactile height and contrast, then produce durable signs, maps, and labels designed for real-world use.

What this service is for

We’re soft-launching UV-printed tactile signage across Blind Low Vision NZ offices nationwide to standardise wayfinding. External organisations are welcome to enquire; we’ll take projects case by case while we refine pricing and production.

Designed for long-term, robust use. Not for short-term, disposable signage.

What we make

  • Wayfinding signs & arrows (rooms, floors, lifts, amenities)
  • Door/room plaques (A-series sizes, office/teaching spaces)
  • Tactile maps & diagrams (orientation, building plans, exhibition panels)
  • Equipment & exhibition labels
  • Name plates/desk plates

All products can include full colour print plus tactile layers and Braille. We design colour and contrast in line with industry guidelines and Round Table principles.

Materials & sizes

  • Available now: Aluminium panels (A5 / A4 / A3 / A2)
  • On request (after consultation): PVC plastic, plexiglass, plywood
  • Durability: Indoor and moderate outdoor use
  • Installation: By customer (we supply panels; you handle fixings and install)

Variations (thickness, special shapes, mounting prep) can be discussed during consultation.

Quality & standards

  • First-article proof is imperative for each new sign family before full production
  • Braille placement and dot height verified during proofing
  • Alignment with Round Table guidance and evolving AFS UV rules (clear zones around Braille, readable type, tactile line weights, contrast)

Getting your design printed

Process

  1. Email us your brief and files: AFSInfo@BlindLowVision.org.nz See Preferred File Formats
  2. We create or check artwork and produce a first-article proof for sign-off.
  3. We manufacture and quality control; you handle installation.
  4. Re-orders are fast. We’ll keep your artwork/settings in our database.

Turnaround and pricing

  • Timelines: Case by case (we’ll confirm at quoting).
  • Minimums: One-off jobs are fine.
  • Pricing: External clients receive a quote on request.
  • Blind Low Vision NZ full members: UV printing is free for internal signage projects.

Preferred file formats

  • Vector: Adobe Illustrator AI/PDF/EPS, CorelDRAW CDR/CDT/CDX
  • Raster: 300 dpi minimum (print-size PNG/TIFF/JPG)

Helpful file tips

  • Outline/expand fonts or include font files
  • Keep Braille on its own layer if supplied
  • Provide any brand colour specs (CMYK or RGB values, logos in vector)

No print-ready files? We can help. Our team can prepare layouts and accessible artwork in Illustrator/Acrobat. (Templates for A5–A2 available on request.)

Case study (soft launch)

We’re standardising wayfinding across BLVNZ offices nationwide. English, Te Reo Māori, and Braille on rigid aluminium A-series signs, and building a reusable sign database to speed reprints and ensure consistency.

Accessibility promise

We invite user testing and review of proofs before large orders. If you’d like to participate in focus groups or early trials, email AFSInfo@BlindLowVision.org.nz with “UV Signage Trials” as the subject.

Privacy & trusted partners

To meet timelines or specialised needs, we may partner with trusted, tested production specialists (NZ or overseas). If you prefer AFS-only production, tell us at quoting. We’ll accommodate wherever feasible.

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