Why use a braille font
Braille characters are three dimensional tactile bumps on a medium such as paper or board. In order for these bumps to be represented, viewed, checked and controlled on digital artwork the designer places appropriately sized and spaced filled circles on the artwork layout. The circles can be constructed from a simple grid of dots, but the most efficient method of creating braille print artwork is with a braille font.
The Braille Alphabet and Braille Numbers
Braille font tips
For a braille font to work effectively on pharmaceutical braille artwork:
- Use the correct font size for the braille font you are using. PharmaBraille fonts follow the Marburg Medium braille font standard and therefore require the font to be sized at 10mm with line spacing of 10mm
- Do not set the braille font as bold as this will distort the radius of the braille font dot
- Do not italicise a braille font
- When setting uncontracted (Grade 1) braille confirm the correct country format braille font is used
- When setting contracted (Grade 2) braille the text must first be passed through braille translation software before pasting into artwork using the appropriate braille font
- Confirm the braille is correct with the braille authority for the reader country.
Braille font rules
There are many rules governing braille codes and different countries use different braille rules. So, it is important to be aware of the rules of the country where the braille will be read. It is recommended that braille artwork is proofread by a braille professional of the reader country.
Braille font for pharmaceutical artwork
Braille for pharmaceutical artwork is produced using uncontracted (Grade 1) braille. In uncontracted braille each letter or character of the braille alphabet is represented by a corresponding braille character in Grade 1 braille. So for the most part it is a simple matter of using an appropriate braille font. However, braille codes change from country to country and certain rules must be followed regarding braille font indicator characters, such as the number symbol, letter symbol and capital letter symbol.
The EBU and RNIB has worked with many sight loss organisations to endeavour to provide an agreed Braille code and set of principles that can be used in many European countries. This EBU European Braille Code has been accepted by some European countries for use on pharmaceutical packaging. For more information on European Braille Code refer to our European Braille Guidance.
Braille font sets for pharmaceutical packaging
FREE braille font and braille tools
Free Unicode Braille Font: Our free braille font is a 6 dot Unicode encoded braille font which complies with the Marburg Medium spacing and size specifications. Follow the information on our braille codes pages to ensure you set the correct braille characters for your country.
Free Pharmaceutical Braille Font Template: Confirm pharmaceutical packaging conforms with the Marburg Medium braille font standard for pharmaceutical packaging with the free pharmaceutical braille font template.
Buy Braille font sets for pharmaceutical packaging
Our Braille font sets conform to the Marburg Medium standard required for pharmaceutical packaging. Choose the braille font set for your country.