Quick tips for creating braille labels

Quick Tips – braille labels (PDF) for download or displayed below.

Small quantities of uncontracted braille can be produced manually for labelling tactile graphics and 3-dimensional models.

Equipment

braille label maker

Very small quantities of braille text can be produced using a braille label maker (similar to a Dymo labeller). The letters can be selected in print, avoiding the need to learn the braille symbols.

labeller with braille and print symbols — braille label maker

braille embosser

Larger quantities of braille can be produced using a braille embosser and braille translation software.

slate and stylus

A slate is a template with indentations in the braille cell positions.

A stylus is an instrument for marking the dots.

Erroneous dots can be erased with a specialised dot squasher or a well-placed fingernail.

Thick paper (150gsm) is recommended for durability. Clear sticky label sheet can also be used.

A slate and stylus and related equipment can be purchased from most blindness agencies, e.g.

Uncontracted braille symbols

Using a slate and stylus, braille is written from back to front.

Below, braille symbols are shown in black font. The green font on the right shows “mirror braille”, as it should be produced with a slate and stylus from right to left.

Note that simbraille font has been used, with small “shadow dots” to more clearly illustrate the position of the dots in the cells. Raised braille is produced without these shadow dots.