Swell Paper

Swell paper is a heat-reactive microcapsule paper used to create tactile graphics for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. When printed with black ink and exposed to heat, the printed areas expand to form raised surfaces that can be felt by touch.

Swell paper is coated with a proprietary, heat-sensitive microcapsule layer. When black ink is printed onto the surface and passed through a swell paper machine, the printed areas absorb heat and expand.

• Design or select a graphic
• Print or copy using an inkjet or laser printer with black ink
• Alternatively, draw directly using black markers for quick or custom graphics
• Pass the paper through a swell form machine
• The printed or drawn areas rise to create a tactile graphic

• Educational materials for blind and visually impaired students
• Tactile diagrams and illustrations
• Maps and wayfinding graphics
• Graphs and charts
• Accessible signage
• Training materials
• and more….

Swell paper offers a unique combination of speed, accuracy, and ease of use.

• Fast production
• High detail accuracy
• No complex setup
• Flexible for many applications
• Ideal for on-demand use

There are multiple ways to produce tactile graphics, each suited to different needs.

• Embossing: Good for braille, limited graphic detail
• Thermoforming: Good for volume production, requires molds/masters
• Swell Paper: Fast, detailed, flexible, no molds/masters required

See Braille Authority of North America Guidelines & Standards for Tactile Graphics

Not all swell paper performs the same. The consistency of the coating and manufacturing process directly impacts the clarity and reliability of tactile graphics.

Some swell paper products rely on outsourced manufacturing, which can lead to variation in performance. In contrast, in-house production allows tighter control over quality and consistency.

Zychem has been a leader in swell paper technology for tactile graphics since 1991, manufacturing both swell touch paper and swell form machines in-house. This allows complete control over coating consistency, performance, and reliability—ensuring consistent tactile results across every sheet.

Explore Zychem Swell Touch Paper for consistent, high-quality tactile graphics

To produce tactile graphics using swell paper, you will need:

• Swell paper
• A compatible inkjet or laser printer using black ink
• A swell marker
• A swell paper machine

View the Swell Form Machine and Swell Form Pro Machine

What type of printer is best for swell paper?
Swell paper works with both inkjet and laser printers, as long as black ink is used to create the areas that will expand. That said, laser printers typically produce cleaner lines.

Can you draw directly on swell paper?
Yes, black markers can be used to create quick or custom tactile graphics without printing.

What is swell paper used for?
Swell paper is used to create tactile graphics such as diagrams, maps, charts, illustrations, educational materials, and accessible signage for people who are blind or visually impaired.

How is swell paper turned into a tactile graphic?
After printing or drawing in black, the paper is passed through a swell form machine. The black areas absorb heat and expand, creating raised lines and shapes that can be read by touch.

Why does swell paper quality matter?
The consistency of the coating and manufacturing process affects how clearly and reliably the tactile image develops. Higher-quality swell paper helps produce more consistent tactile results and enables longer use of the graphic.

Why choose Zychem swell paper?
Zychem manufactures its swell paper in-house, allowing greater control over coating consistency, quality, performance, and price.

Swell paper is one of the most effective and widely used methods for producing tactile graphics. Its speed, simplicity, and precision make it an essential tool for creating accessible materials.

Learn more about tactile graphics