Before introducing new tools, it’s worth acknowledging why labeling is so central to daily life. Most people underestimate how many things they need to keep apart. A kitchen alone has dozens of identical-feeling containers. Spices often come in the same bottles. Pasta boxes all feel like cardboard. Sugars, flours, grains and snacks go into similar jars. Even items with different shapes often cannot be reliably distinguished by touch, especially if packaging changes.

The same challenge appears in the bathroom. Many bottles differ only in color. Vitamins look like medicines. Different creams have nearly identical packaging. Clothing brings another layer of complexity. Colors can’t be felt. Washing instructions aren’t tactile. Matching outfits becomes a guess. And if you share a wardrobe or live with others, organization becomes even more important.

People also label tools, hobby materials, sewing supplies, cables, chargers, cleaning products, travel kits, personal care items, pantry storage, documents, toys, children’s belongings and so much more. Modern life simply involves too many items to manage by memory alone.

That is why labeling systems have evolved. The question now is how to choose the one that fits your lifestyle, your home, your routines and the level of detail you want to store.

Tactile/Bump dots: The Fastest, Most Immediate Form of Identification

Tactile labels have been one of the most relied-upon tools in blind households for a very long time. Their appeal is obvious: you can touch an object and know instantly what it is, or at least know that it is different from something else. Raised dots, small textured stickers, shapes that mark buttons and switches, or symbols placed on the tops of jars all give the fingers something to recognize quickly.

People often use tactile labels in places where speed matters more than detail. Appliances are a perfect example, being able to find the power button, start button or volume control simply by touch is invaluable. In the bathroom, tactile marks let you identify which bottle is shampoo and which is conditioner, without needing to pick up your phone or scan a code. On spice jars, tactile markers can distinguish one from another at a glance.

Of course, tactile labels are intentionally simple. A raised shape cannot store detailed descriptions. It won’t tell you a recipe, an expiry date or a set of washing instructions. Yet tactile labeling remains one of the most loved and practical tools for blind people because of its immediacy. Sometimes the fastest approach is the best one.

Braille Labels: Text You Can Feel

Braille labels are another classic solution, and for Braille readers, they provide a tidy way to add text directly onto objects. A short word or abbreviation embossed on tape and fixed to a jar, drawer or file gives clear information. Braille is precise, tactile and follows a structure that many users find intuitive.

Braille labels are wonderful for organization systems where short names or categories are all that is needed. A shelf marked “Pasta,” a folder labeled “Bills,” or a drawer marked “Socks” can be read immediately. The challenge appears when users want to record more information, such as cooking times, colors, ingredients or instructions. Braille excels at clarity but not at storing long passages of text. It fills a specific need extremely well and remains an important, dependable tool.

Stactiles

Stactiles take tactile labeling a step further by offering a structured system based on different shapes. Each sticker has a unique form, and users can build their own “tactile language” to indicate categories. A circle might represent bathroom products, a stripe might indicate kitchen items, and a triangle could mark technology accessories.

People turn to Stactiles when they want to differentiate objects without picking up a device or listening to audio. The system is especially helpful for categories, routines and places where touch is faster than anything else. Stactiles do exactly what they are built for: fast, physical identification. They don’t attempt to compete with digital or audio-based systems because their goal is different. They excel in this role and are often used alongside other labeling methods.

PenFriend

PenFriend has served blind and visually impaired users for many years and introduced many people to the idea of audio labeling long before smartphones became mainstream. The system works through a pen-shaped device that records short voice messages onto special stickers. When you touch the pen to the label, it plays back the message.

For many users, hearing their own voice describe an item felt natural and personal. PenFriend became especially popular for clothing, pantry items and items that needed simple recorded notes. However, because PenFriend was developed in an earlier technological era, its design reflects the limitations of that time. Labels cannot be shared digitally. They do not sync across devices. The memory of the pen eventually fills up. And because the system depends on a physical device, misplacing it can temporarily break the entire labeling system.

Even so, PenFriend continues to provide value for people who prefer a standalone device. It remains simple, familiar and self-contained, qualities that many users appreciate.

WayAround

WayAround introduced NFC labeling to many blind users through a thoughtful ecosystem of tag types. Different tags were created for different purposes, buttons that could be sewn onto clothing, stickers for plastic or paper, clips for fabric, and magnets for metal appliances. When scanned with the WayAround app, each tag revealed a description stored in the system.

WayAround expanded what labeling could do, especially in terms of durability and consistency. It made NFC approachable and offered an organized system for those who wanted a clearly defined structure. But because the platform uses proprietary WayTags and does not read camera-based codes like barcodes or QR codes, it relies on a closed model that works best for people who want a dedicated NFC system rather than a more flexible or mixed approach.

Still, WayAround remains a well-designed solution for users who enjoy NFC labeling and want a structured set of tools purpose-built for that style.

Speechlabel

Speechlabel represents a shift toward a more flexible, scalable and modern approach to labeling. It combines the power of smartphone accessibility with the freedom to label items using both QR codes and NFC tags. The app itself is free, it works out of the box, and it does not limit the number of labels you can create.

One of the defining strengths of Speechlabel is that it works with the world as it already exists. Nearly every grocery item comes with a barcode, and Speechlabel can scan it instantly. This means you can label an enormous number of items without attaching anything at all. For objects that have no code, Speechlabel offers a full range of labeling materials designed specifically for blind and visually impaired users.

These include small QR code stickers that adhere cleanly to most surfaces, thicker QR code stickers built for long-term durability on items like storage containers or tools, and flexible NFC stickers. For garments, Speechlabel offers NFC laundry buttons that can be sewn directly into fabric. These buttons withstand washing and drying, making them perfect for recording information about color, fit, outfit combinations and care instructions.

What sets Speechlabel apart is that every label lives in the cloud. This means your entire labeling system stays with you even if your phone breaks or you switch devices. It also means you can share your labels with others. A caregiver can scan items in your home, a family member can help you set up labels, and a teacher can create labeled materials for a student that can be accessed anytime. Speechlabel becomes not just a labeling tool but a shared language for the people in your life.

Because it works with both QR codes and NFC tags, Speechlabel adapts to every item in your home, from tiny objects to large appliances, from clothing to tools, from kitchen staples to hobby supplies. It allows you to store detailed descriptions that tactile labels and older systems cannot hold, and it gives you the flexibility to organize your environment in exactly the way that fits your routines.

Choosing the right system

Every labeling system serves a meaningful purpose. The best choice depends on what you want to label, how much information you need to store, how often you use each item, and whether others need to access your system.

To make the selection easier, here is a detailed comparison of the main labeling solutions available today:

Feature / Consideration	SpeechLabel	Stactiles	PenFriend	WayAround	Braille Labels	Tactile Markers
Core Method	QR, barcodes and NFC tags, using a free smartphone app	Tactile shapes felt by touch	Audio labels played by a dedicated pen device	NFC tags read through a proprietary app	Embossed text readable by touch	Raised shapes, dots or textures
Level of Information Stored	Very detailed descriptions, long text, instructions, colors, dates and voice notes	Minimal, category-level distinction	Short voice messages	Medium-length written descriptions	Short text only	Minimal, nonverbal cues
Cost Structure	Free app; optional low-cost QR and NFC materials	One-time purchase of tactile stickers	Purchase of device and dedicated labels	Purchase of WayTags required	Purchase of tape or embosser	Purchase of sticker sheets or dots
Cloud Backup	Yes, fully cloud-synced	No	No	No	No	No
Sharing with Others	Yes, labels can be shared across accounts	No	No	No	No	No
Works with Clothing	Yes, using sewable NFC laundry buttons	Not suitable	Yes, with washable labels	Yes, with NFC buttons	Only if adhered carefully	Not suitable for detailed clothing info
Scalability (number of items)	Unlimited	Good for small sets	Limited by device memory	Limited by number of purchased tags	Best for small sets	Good for small sets
Use of Existing Packaging	Yes, barcodes can be scanned directly	No	No	No	No	No
Setup Complexity	Easy, uses smartphone	Very easy	Moderate, requires device handling	Moderate	Simple	Very simple
Works Without Technology	No	Yes	Yes (after recording)	No	Yes	Yes
Best Use Cases	Groceries, clothing, medication, storage, travel, shared homes	Quick identification, appliances, bottles	Clothing, small containers, pantry items	Clothing and containers	Documents, drawers, folders	Appliances, quick-use objects

This table shows that each system excels in different situations. Tactile markers and Braille labels provide immediate, low-tech access. PenFriend offers a familiar audio solution. WayAround brings structured NFC labeling to everyday items. And SpeechLabel introduces the ability to mix QR codes, barcodes and NFC tags in one cohesive ecosystem that adapts to both simple and complex labeling needs.

Conclusion

All of the labeling solutions people have used over the years, tactile stickers, Braille labels, PenFriend, WayAround, Stactiles, were created because someone, somewhere, wanted to make life a little easier. Each one played an important role in building independence, and each one still matters today.

What’s changing now is the way people live. Homes are busier, routines shift often, and the amount of information we want to keep track of keeps growing. That’s where SpeechLabel finds its place, not by replacing what came before, but by offering a modern tool that keeps up with real life. It gives people a way to store richer details, to label more items without limits, to involve family or caregivers when needed, and to keep everything safe and synced no matter what device is in their hands.

FAQ 

1. What is the best labeling system for blind people?

There’s no single “best” solution. Many people use a combination: tactile labels for quick identification, NFC or barcode-based apps like SpeechLabel for detailed descriptions, and audio devices like PenFriend for clothing or food storage.

2. Do I need a smartphone to use labeling tools?

Only some solutions require a smartphone. SpeechLabel and WayAround use smartphone apps, while Stactiles, tactile dots and PenFriend work without any phone or internet connection.

3. What is the difference between Stactiles and Braille labels?

Stactiles use unique raised shapes that anyone can feel, even if they don’t know Braille. Braille labels provide text-based information for Braille readers. Stactiles focus on quick categorization, while Braille labels convey specific words or abbreviations.

4. Can I label clothing in a way that survives the washing machine?

Yes. PenFriend offers washable labels, and Spechlabel provides sewable NFC buttons designed for laundry. These stay attached and readable even after repeated washing.

5. Are tactile labels enough on their own?

Tactile labels are great for quick identification but can’t store detailed information. Many users pair them with audio or digital systems when they need more context, such as expiration dates, colors, or specific item descriptions.