Tactile prints and Braille for signs

Kreye Siebdruck GmbH, a family-owned company in Koblenz, Germany, has been using a MUTOH XpertJet 1462UF to enhance its services in “barrier-free communication”. The XpertJet 1462UF streamlines the company’s production of tactile prints and Braille for signs and other print products.

“We anticipate a growing demand for barrier-free signage in the coming years,” says Ellen Kreye-Leder, Managing Partner of Kreye Siebdruck GmbH. “Having offered accessible signage through screen printing for many years, we have specifically prepared ourselves for the German Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG). Starting June 28, 2025, this law will promote greater inclusion for people with disabilities. In this context, we expect institutions, businesses and retailers to adapt their signage and advertising materials with Braille and tactile lettering.”

Experienced Manufacturers of Barrier-Free Signage

Founded in 1908, the company specialized in guidance systems, signs and stickers, making them a core business area for many years. Traditionally, screen printing equipment was used to produce flyers, brochures, and stickers with Braille. Early attempts to create barrier-free signs with digital printers faced limitations. “Our previous machine was too slow and couldn’t build up sufficient ink layers for tactile features,” explains Nicole Figge, who has co-managed the Koblenz print shop with Ellen Kreye-Leder since 2012. “As a result, the products were too expensive and fell short of customer expectations.”

A decisive turning point came in 2023 when the team saw the MUTOH XpertJet 1462UF for the first time at a trade show. “It was immediately clear to us that this highly productive UV LED printer was perfectly suited to elevate our production to a new level,” says Nicole Figge. After intensive consultation with the experts from Siebdruckbedarf W. Schmitz GmbH in Lindlar, the printer was installed in July 2024. With its powerful UV curing lamps and the ability to print multiple layers on top of each other, it is ideally suited for the production of accessible signs, stickers and print products such as business cards.

A perfect complement for screen printing

The more than 1,000 square meters of production area of Kreye Siebdruck are mainly reserved for screen printing but enhanced by a digital printing department. In addition to standard products such as stickers, window films and car wraps, speciality prints such as metal and direct-to-object prints (DTO) are also produced there. “We used to accomplish many of these applications in screen printing only,” explains Ellen Kreye-Leder. “This is still the best choice for longer runs, spot colours and print finishes. In digital printing, however, we can implement smaller and personalized runs quickly and cost-effectively.”

Specialists in Braille printing

Kreye Siebdruck has launched its own online shop dedicated to Braille products, allowing customers to effortlessly order high-quality business stationery and striking postcards with Braille in just a few clicks. For custom requests or other Braille-related inquiries, customers can rely on expert advice from the experienced sales team. To ensure accurate and error-free Braille translations, Kreye collaborates closely with a specialized association for the blind.

Standard-compliant Braille characters are designed during the prepress stage using a graphics program and integrated into the layout. The data is then optimized with MUTOH’s proprietary VerteLith RIP software before being sent to the XpertJet 1462UF printer. The printer builds the Braille outputs by layering coloured or white ink and clear varnish, ensuring precision and durability.

Not everyone with impaired vision can read Braille. The system, developed by French educator Louis Braille, is primarily taught in specialized schools across Europe. People who lose their vision later in life or did not attend a school for the blind often cannot decipher Braille. Additionally, Braille is limited to representing letters, numbers, and musical notations.

Tactile Signage for Greater Inclusion

To promote accessibility, Kreye Siebdruck GmbH offers more than just Braille finishing. The company has expanded its portfolio to include tactile letters and features that are both readable and touchable, even for sighted people. Raised elements, such as Latin letters or graphic patterns are widely used to create tactile designs. Orientation plans and topographic maps are increasingly being upgraded with these features, benefiting not only individuals with impaired vision but also serving practical purposes like emergency signage during blackouts.

A growing trend is the use of tactile labelling in museums to enhance exhibit descriptions, making culture more accessible to everyone. For such projects, MUTOH’s XpertJet 1462UF is an excellent choice, with its 150 mm clearance height and 4-zone vacuum table capable of supporting up to 50 kg per square meter.

Barrier-Free and Creative: Kreye Leads the Way


“After nearly six months of operation, we are extremely pleased with our decision to invest in the MUTOH XPJ-1462UF,” says Nicole Figge. “With the right expertise, this business area offers tremendous potential for growth. At the same time, we’re contributing to inclusion by creating barrier-free print products that help more people participate in public life.”

In Koblenz, numerous innovative products have already been developed, including a unique tarot card game with Braille and a board game designed for visually impaired individuals. However, the capabilities of the new MUTOH XpertJet 1462UF UV flatbed printer extend far beyond barrier-free signage.

“Our next big project is producing custom promotional items like printed water bottles and folding rulers,” Figge shares. One thing is certain: the 20 employees of Kreye Siebdruck and their powerful MUTOH printer will have plenty of exciting projects ahead.

Visit: Mutoh

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