I know Braille, and the only place I use it is on labels. Using an electronic labeler to read the buttons on the front of my microwave, oven, or stereo just wouldn't cut it. Same for elevator buttons, room numbers, floor numbers, etc, etc, etc. I have never owned a 3d printer, and I don't know anyone who has one, so I have no idea how hard they are to use. But on the face of it, this seems like a good idea. If it turns out 3d printers are too difficult and expensive for us to own, you still might be able to do something neat with braille as a service. For example, you could look at the 10 most popular microwave oven models, and create a template that would label all of the buttons in braille. All the blind person would have to do is order the template, (perhaps from somewhere like thingiverse?), and glue it onto the front of the unit, and then everything would be labelled. It would save a lot of fiddly work of making braille labels, cutting them out, lining each one up exactly with the associated control, etc, etc, etc.

I have recently finished a similar project http://braille.cards where you can create braille labels online and send them to a 3D printer service for printing. For the most use cases a hand held label maker like mentioned by NationalBraillePress seems to be the more cost effective solution.

On a similar track, you could have 3d-printed braille on promotional items, or use the program to generate braille drawing files. Not sure if something like this is already out there for CAD designers. So one could order a custom cell phone case with a braille message on the back for instance.

I have actually seen several projects that incorporated making braille labels. One of the major obstacles that they came across like mentioned by the other two people is the cost. While labeling is important there are other more cost effective ways to produce a label than buying your own 3D printer or going to a local shop that prints them for you. Hopefully this problem will not be an issue much longer since cheaper 3D printers are being produced. The problem with these cheaper printers is the quality of what they print. I've seen 3D printed braille and it looks okay but if you want the crispness and quality you're going to need a better printer.

There are $1 that run up to around $30 that sighted people can use. You can also use a Perkins brailler on sticky paper or use a slate and stylus and cut it up based on your needs.

Like was said before look at what is already in the market. Definitely talk to B&VI people to see what their needs are. Figure out if your method would be cost effective and how easy you could make operating a 3D printer to produce the product.

3D printers are difficult to use, even for non-blind people.

I am not blind, but a Product Desiigner currently designing something for visual impairment.

I think before you invest too much time into the project look at other things that do the same job. for example RNIB have made an electronic labeler where you record your own messages.

If you want to label your home a device like that is ideal. if you want to label a business then having braille signs made elseware might be cheaper/easier. also, how many blind people learn Braille, I don't know the answer but I expect it would be less than you imagine.