Find your niche in the signage industry. With a little education and the right equipment, you can open up countless markets surrounding you by fabricating custom signs that conform to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that was initiated in 1992 to “prohibit discrimination and ensure equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation,” according to ada.gov.
The ADA requires all public places (except government buildings and churches) to install ADA compliant signage that includes tactile lettering, Grade II Braille and in some cases, pictograms.
Check out this helpful white paper from Rowmark which details all the special features and accommodations required by the act. The good news for everyone is that this signage with its special features can be produced quickly and cheaply with the proper UV-LED printing equipment. USCutter has two models in this class you can choose from by Mimaki: the UJF-3042HG and the JXF200-2513.
As the document states: “With the recent development of tactile and raised UV-LED printing, compliant braille signage can be created with an even greater graphics appeal and in a single process requiring minimal operator involvement…[A UV-LED printer can create a standard 6”x8” sign with Braille and raised tactile letters in less than four minutes]…A popular method is to print the required raised letters and braille with UV curable ink to the “first-surface” of the sign. An alternative method is to print graphic elements to the back “second-surface” or “sub-surface,” adding multiple colors and creativity while applying the raised components to the “first” or “top” surface in a two-step process. The ability to create endless designs will build appeal for and acceptance of this new method.”
With low-cost plastic substrates available in different colors and shapes, you can add profitability, versatility, and exclusivity with professional-looking results for a business niche in ADA-compliant signage that is demanding but could be extremely lucrative for your sign shop.
