What is a Braille Embosser?
Published: Jun 21, 2007
A Braille embosser is an impact printer that renders text as Braille. It makes Braille production much more efficient and cost-effective, as it utilizes special translation software to emboss a printed document.
Normally, blind users call traditional printers ‘ink printers,’ to distinguish them from their Braille counterparts.
Like ink printers, embossers also come in all shapes and sizes, and are used by individual computer users to large corporations that produce books, magazines and other widely distributed publications, requiring fast, high-volume embossing capabilities. Thus, an embosser can cost from $2,000 USD to $80,000 USD, depending on the user’s needs. 
There are several points to consider when shopping for a Braille embosser:
- Compatibility with user’s computer platform
- Connectivity with user’s computer
- Embossing speed, measured in characters per second (CPS)
- Adjustability of the height of the unit
- Portability of the unit
- Noisiness of the unite (some require a soundproof case)
- Ability to print single-sided or double-sided
- Ability to print in both ink and Braille or not.
