Swell paper has microcapsules of alcohol embedded in its surface that burst and make the surface of the paper swell up when exposed to heat from a fuser. Using carbon-based black ink on the paper increases the effect of the heat and causes the inked areas to raise much more.
Swell paper is also known as Minolta paper, Microcapsule or hot spot paper. Some current brands of swell paper are Zy-Tex and Flexipaper. Each brand of paper is different; try several types to see which you prefer and which works best with your equipment.
How to make Swell Paper tactile graphics
You can make swell paper images in four ways:
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By photocopying the image onto swell paper, then putting it through a fuser; this machine raises the black areas of the image by exposing the paper to a hot light. Please do not photocopy standard graphics to swell paper, as an exact tactile copy of a print original will be unlikely to work in a tactile form
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By printing directly from your computer onto swell paper using a laser or inkjet printer and raising the image with a fuser
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You can draw directly onto the paper with some black markers before raising the image with a fuser. Some types of pens work better than others and trial and error is the only way to find out which one works best for you
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By applying heat directly to the surface of the paper using a heat pen
Advantages
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If you have a computer and design software, you only need a fuser and paper
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It is easy to update or edit images and reproduce in bulk
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You can choose to hand-draw, photocopy, or print with an inkjet or laser
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It is easy to add non-raised print labels to the image using coloured text
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You can produce images up to A3 size
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The image is easily visible when raised
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It is easy to create lines, shapes and textured fills
Disadvantages
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Black areas on the swell paper image may smudge easily
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There is little height variation
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There are a limited number of useful fills / textures
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It is difficult to add braille to the swell paper image without transcription software or a good braille font
Where to buy materials and equipment
Swell Paper and fusers:
Inkjet Printers:
Heat Pens:
If you would like someone else to produce your tactile graphics for you, to find out about RNIB's transcription services please contact our Helpline (0845 766 9999 / helpline@rnib.org.uk).