Stanco Signage Systems is known for its innovative approach to creating high-quality, custom, and compliant ADA signage solutions. A key component of our advanced manufacturing capabilities is the Mutoh UV-LED printer.
This versatile piece of equipment enhances our ability to meet diverse client needs, including adherence to the stringent requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for Braille signage. This article explores how the Mutoh printer helps Stanco produce ADA-compliant signage, detailing its application in permanent, directional, and overhead signage while discussing tactile depth, letter height, type possibilities, and more.
Mutoh Printing Technology: An Overview
The Mutoh printer is not just any printing device; it’s a specialized tool designed for precision and versatility in signage production. Known for its exceptional print quality and reliability, the Mutoh printer can handle various materials and applications, making it ideal for creating everything from simple door plaques to complex, durable outdoor directional signs.
ADA Braille Requirements and Mutoh Capabilities
One of the critical areas where the Mutoh printer excels is in the production of ADA-compliant Braille signage.
The ADA sets forth specific guidelines for signage that include Braille to ensure accessibility for individuals who are blind or have low vision.
These standards specify requirements for tactile depth, character size, spacing, and placement of Braille on various types of signs.
Tactile Depth and Letter Height: The ADA requires that tactile characters on signs have a depth of at least 1/32 inch. The Mutoh printer achieves this precision depth with its advanced routing and engraving capabilities, ensuring that each character is perfectly discernible by touch. Additionally, the printer can accurately maintain the required letter height and proportion as specified by the ADA, which stipulates that tactile letters must be between 5/8 inch and 2 inches high, depending on the sign’s viewing distance.
Letter Type Possibilities: The ADA recommends using sans-serif or simple serif typefaces for tactile text, as these are easier to read through touch. The Mutoh printer’s precise control allows for the production of clean, clear letters in these recommended fonts, ensuring compliance and readability.
Braille Placement, Finish Contrast and Pictograms
The Mutoh printer ensures precise placement of Braille, aligning it accurately under the tactile text. The printer also supports the creation of high-contrast signs, where the characters and background colors are distinctly different, enhancing readability for those with low vision.
Braille must be positioned directly below the corresponding text. If the text is multi-lined, Braille is placed below the entire block.
Pictograms: The ADA requires pictograms (simple images that represent objects, places, or actions) to be used on certain signs like restrooms and exits. These pictograms must be accompanied by equivalent verbal descriptions placed directly below the pictogram. The Mutoh printer can create sharply defined, easily understandable pictograms that meet ADA standards.
Braille Mounting Height and Sign Placement
The ADA specifies mounting heights and locations for Braille signage to ensure they are accessible to everyone, including wheelchair users. For instance, signs on doors must be mounted next to the door at the latch side, whereas other signs should be mounted at 60 inches above the floor to the center of the signs. The Mutoh printer helps produce signs that are consistent in size and shape, making uniform mounting simpler and more aesthetically pleasing.
Application in Directories, Overhead, and Information Signage
The Mutoh printer allows for uniformity in design across a series of signs, essential for maintaining directional clarity and brand coherence throughout a facility.
For directories and informational signs, readability and consistency are key.
Overhead Signs: These signs, which are often used to provide direction or information in large spaces like malls or hospitals, need to be clear and visible from a distance. The Mutoh printer’s capability to produce large, bold, and high-contrast texts makes it ideal for creating overhead signage that meets ADA visibility guidelines.
Room Numbers, Spaces, Exits, and Restrooms: These signs are critical for navigation and safety in any public space. The Mutoh printer’s precise engraving and printing capabilities ensure that these signs are not only compliant with ADA standards but also embody a quality and professionalism that reflect well on the facility.
The Mutoh printer’s advanced capabilities are a cornerstone of Stanco Signage Systems’ operation, allowing us to meet the critical needs of our clients, especially in terms of ADA compliance. By leveraging this technology, Stanco can produce signs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also provide crucial navigational aid and ensure accessibility for all individuals, including those with disabilities. This commitment to quality and compliance is what sets Stanco apart as a leader in the signage industry.
