Printing in between 2 and 3D, 2.5D printing

The blind and visually impaired cannot really enjoy a print to the full. Casio in Japan has found a solution, 2.5D printing. The printer used looks like a normal printer, but the paper is different. The paper consists of various layers of paper with plastic capsules which increase in size when heated. The ink used is heat absorbing black ink. More ink is used in those parts that need to be fatter. By exposing the print to a halogen lamp (90 degrees Celsius) the paper expands where there is more ink, up to 2 millimeters. This allows the blind and visually impaired to feel the print.