What Happened to ZyTex and ZyFuse?

If you’ve worked with tactile graphics for some time, you may be familiar with the names ZyTex and ZyFuse. These were the original product names used by Zychem for its swell paper and tactile graphics machine.

Today, those products are known as Swell Touch paper and Swell Form machines.

So what changed?

ZyTex and ZyFuse: The Original Names

ZyTex referred to the specialized microcapsule (swell) paper used to create tactile graphics, while ZyFuse referred to the heat-based machine used to activate that paper and produce raised lines.

These products have been used in education and accessibility environments for decades and are still widely recognized under their original names.

The Transition to Swell Touch and Swell Form

Although Zychem originally used the names ZyTex and ZyFuse, another set of names had already been widely used across the industry.

Since the early 1990’s, American Thermoform Corporation had been marketing these same products as:

  • Swell Touch (for swell paper)
  • Swell Form (for tactile graphics machines)

These names were used internationally for decades and became familiar to many educators, transcribers, and organizations working with tactile graphics.

When American Thermoform Corporation acquired Zychem, it made sense to align the product names with what much of the global market already recognized and used.

Why the Names Changed

The transition to Swell Touch and Swell Form was driven by a few key factors:

  • Consistency: Aligning Zychem product names with those already used by many worldwide
  • Clarity: The newer names more clearly describe what the products do
  • Familiarity: Many customers had already been using these names for years

This change helped create a more unified and understandable product line across the industry.

Are ZyTex and ZyFuse Still the Same Products?

Yes — the core products themselves remain the same.

The naming has changed, but the function and purpose of the products remain consistent.

Understanding the Terminology Today

Today, you may hear a mix of terms used interchangeably, including:

  • ZyTex / swell paper / microcapsule paper
  • ZyFuse / tactile graphics machine / swell form machine

For a deeper explanation of how this type of paper works, see our guide to microcapsule paper.

Conclusion

ZyTex and ZyFuse are simply the original names for products that are now known as Swell Touch and Swell Form.

As the industry evolved and global usage became more consistent, the updated names provided greater clarity while reflecting terminology that had already been widely adopted.

If you encounter either set of names, they are referring to the same core technology used to create tactile graphics for accessibility and education.  Furthermore, both products are still made in-house by Zychem.

Skip to content