Braille Sign Supplies develops ‘world first’ patent-pending production method

Braille Sign Supplies, run by Travis Ashford, is based in Torquay on the Surf Coast of Victoria, and is one of the leading manufacturers of braille and tactile signs for the blind and vision impaired. Travis and his team of 11 staff have proudly worked on some of the biggest projects in the country - their signage is noticeable in most airports, hospitals, universities, theatres, major hotels and resorts, on public transport, and even in Parliament House, Canberra. A winner of major regional business awards last year, the company has developed groundbreaking solutions for braille and tactile signs – first for acrylic and most recently, metal.

Braille Sign Supplies began in the home garage of Jan Juc local Travis Ashford 17 years ago. As a qualified signwriter, he began receiving requests for braille and tactile signage, which he found difficult to source. Either they were cheap non-compliant imports, or they were expensive with long lead times. Travis began the process of learning to make braille and tactile signs himself, and soon he outgrew his single car garage, as the business took off with growing demand due to changes to the building code.

The original method involved drilling holes into the sign and then manually inserting each braille bead. Not only was this method very labour intensive, it left the signs open to the beads being damaged by vandalism, coming loose or falling out over time, and being difficult to clean due to the engraved aspect. Despite the inherent manufacturing flaws the industry faced, Travis built a growing business using this method, but always knew there must be a better solution.

Travis found a solution for acrylic signs, and launched a method to produce braille and tactile signs using a hydraulic press, using 200-tonne of pressure and heat to form a moulded continuous-faced sign. This was groundbreaking in the industry at the time, and after gaining the exclusive Australian rights, Travis worked to ensure the method became widely embraced as he developed his own braille system, called BrailleForm.

A large ‘off-the-shelf’ stock range was developed, giving customers access to one of the widest ranges of signs in Australia with immediate dispatch available, and also allowed the ability to produce custom signs quickly. The new production method provided opportunity for complete flexibility with colours, designs and backgrounds, within the scope of the standards, allowing expanded artistic freedom for designers for the first time.

Despite BrailleForm’s success, Travis continued to imagine an even better way to produce signs, in particular, for metal signs, which were still being manufactured via the labour-intensive applique method process of engraving and inserting braille beads. After years of research and development, he went on to produce the patent-pending BrailleFace production method this year, which manufactures a continuous-faced metal braille and tactile sign, with excellent hygiene properties, as the entire sign is one single formed piece of material. The signs are non-flammable, and vandal resistant. Braille Sign Supplies will not only be the first in Australia to use this technology for signs, but the first in the world!

With no parts fixed to the sign in any way, the process creates braille and tactile signs that have outstanding durability, hygiene properties and are non-combustible. Of significant importance in high-volume user areas, such as public transport and in the health sector, is the fact there are no engraved parts to the sign, meaning no grooves or crevices for bacteria to harbour. These signs are also much easier and quicker to clean. Travis always felt this was an important aspect of the old method that needed improving, and in today’s environment in the midst of a global pandemic, it is even more relevant.  Not only is this new method safer for the end-user, it is also a more comfortable sign to use, with no sharp edges or engraved parts that could dislodge over time. The smooth surface makes for improved usability for the vision impaired.

Proud of the innovations of his industry-leading business, Travis says that he and his team never want to get complacent.

“We always want to keep progressing and evolving our business – both in regard to technological advancements and product improvements, as well as the way we manage our staff and engage with our customers. Innovation has always been the cornerstone of our business, and I believe it always will be,” says Travis.

“While braille signage has traditionally served its purpose for functionality, form has not been able to be considered. Our business is in a valuable position where we can promote the creative side of braille and tactile signs, and we encourage the idea that braille signage can serve its practical purpose whilst being a high-end quality product that also serves a design feature. These signs don’t just need to be a generic blue and white anymore – although these still have their place – and we love being at the forefront of a shift in the industry that can say ‘yes’ to everything – form, function, durability, compliance, hygiene and flammability safety, quality, design and creativity. And that’s all whilst being fully compliant to the guidelines.

“I feel as though I am in quite a privileged position to be accepted and regarded as industry expert, to be able to contribute to committees in the disability and accessibility space in our community, and to act as a consultant for our clients, to assist them with interpreting and understanding the standards. Using my knowledge to advise and help grow the industry as a whole, and be a support to this particular group in the community, is a remarkable opportunity given the business’ humble beginnings. We never wanted to be the biggest, but we always wanted to be the best. And never forgetting who we are working for – the blind or vision impaired person who will reach out to use our signs – always remembering that moment, is what keeps us focused and on track to deliver the best possible sign we can, every time,” he concludes.