Abstract
Obun Printing Company has been undertaking research and development of braille printing and
tactile printing using UV offset printing technology since 2011. Braille printing and tactile printing
technologies using ultraviolet ray hardening resinous transparent ink are already commercialized by
conventional printing technology. Observation of ease in tactile discrimination of braille and tactile
printing by researchers has been reported, and JIS Standard (JIS T 9253: Performance and Test Method of
Ultraviolet Ray Hardening Resinous Braille) has been established. Since braille printing and tactile
printing using ultraviolet ray hardening resinous transparent ink can print braille and tactile graphic on
printed matters for general sighted people without losing visibility of characters and patterns, they are
expected to spread, as visually impaired people and sighted people can obtain common information.
Braille printing and tactile printing using ultraviolet ray hardening resinous transparent ink by
conventional printing technology are used for installed type facility maps; however, other than that, they
seem not to be widely used for distribution-type printed matters. Braille printing and tactile printing by
UV offset printing technology developed by the authors can quickly print, in bulk, printed matters
(calendars, manuals, route maps, and facility maps) required for daily life of visually impaired people.
The authors are aiming to spread these as universal design printed matters that allow visually impaired
people to communicate with sighted people, making them an item to support the independence of visually
impaired people.
This paper reports the progress of our commitment to the research and development to date, and examines
future promotion and enlightenment.
