3D printing guidelines – overview

Guidelines for 3D printing for touch readers

The Round Table Guidelines for Producing Accessible 3D Prints (2024) cover all aspects of why, when and how to use 3D printing to create accessible and inclusive 3D models for use by people who are blind or have low vision. They were produced as a collaborative project by the ANZAGG 3D printing group, with the support of the ARC Linkage Project LP17010026 led by Monash University.

What is 3D printing?

3D printing is an affordable consumer-level technology that can be used to create tactile models that are more inclusive, engaging and easier to understand through touch. 3D printing can also be used to create bespoke adaptive equipment and learning tools.

A selection of 3D printed plastic models, such as a braille dice, the Sydney Opera House, New York streetscape, Mount Everest, Mount Fuji, T-Rex skull, a cathedral and a mathematical shape.

3D printers operate by printing one thin layer on top of another to create a 3-dimensional object. There are many types of printers and materials, but the most common and affordable use a heated nozzle to print with plastic.

3D printers are available for use in some universities, schools and public libraries. Anyone can use a 3D printer if they have a moderate level of confidence tinkering with equipment and have the time to build up their knowledge through experimentation and seeking help from the 3D printing community. Alternatively, there are many commercial 3D printing services and accessible format producers are increasingly offering 3D printing as an option.

Why is 3D printing important for people with print disabilities?

Because 3D printed models can be understood through both vision and touch, they can be used by most people with print disabilities and have several advantages over other formats for accessible graphics provision:

  • 3D models are often more intuitive and easier to understand than 2.5D tactile graphics[1] (Holloway et al., 2018), meaning that they can be successfully used by people who are not trained in touch reading.
  • 3D printed models can be cheaper or easier to obtain than other options such as commercial products or real objects, [3].
  • 3D models can provide touch access to objects that are otherwise too small, too large, too dangerous, too precious, too rare or not available to be touched.
  • 3D models can be used together with sighted peers, for example in a mainstream classroom or at a public event, thereby contributing to greater inclusion.

In addition to the creation of 3D models, 3D printers can also be used to create tactile graphics using mainstream equipment.

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