Innovative uses of modern day printing

The printing industry has gone through significant change over the past few years. This has been encouraged by the need for more sustainable and environmentally friendly methods. However, this has been the case for hundreds of years. The practice of printing hasn’t stopped evolving ever since it was used to copy letters and the bible for mass distribution.It could be argued that the practice of printing copies of literature was responsible for one of the biggest advancements of literacy and education over the past few centuries, and it may have a similar impact in the near future.The dramatic evolution of 3D printing has driven innovation in ways in which few could have predicted. Many are further predicting that the proliferation of the technology could spark ‘The fourth industrial revolution’.From the medical and construction sectors to e-commerce and automotive, the role of printing is evident. So what are the most innovative uses of printing in 2019? Here are some of the best examples.

Sustainable printing

The importance of finding solutions to climate change and the destruction of the environment could not be more obvious. This is something the printing sector has acknowledged recently.The adoption of recycled materials has become much more prominent while plastic packaging has been significantly reduced. Furthermore, many printing businesses have swapped the ink, chemicals, and coatings they use for ones that are plant-based.This has meant that the use of printed materials has a much smaller carbon footprint and environmental impact, which is the single most important feature of modern-day printing.

Medical prosthetics

One of the biggest challenges for medical professionals before the introduction of 3D printing was building prosthetics for people who had been born without certain limbs or had been involved in accidents.This was because each individual had unique requirements due to their own personal injury or affliction, meaning prosthetics could not be mass-produced and they took a long time to design and fit.However, using a 3D scanner and a 3D printer means that prosthetics can be produced with laser precision and with lightweight materials. The range and freedom of movement people can now enjoy is astonishing and that is only thanks to the progress made with 3D printing. This video exemplifies the progress being made brilliantly.

The construction industry

The housing crisis in the UK alone never seems to go away as more affordable homes are required for the growing and aging population. The need to create homes that are also environmentally friendly is just as important, which is why the advancement of printing entire homes is so important.As the technology has improved since being first tested in 2014, the speed of producing a home has been reduced from over a week to under 24 hours. This technology could threaten hundreds of thousands of jobs worldwide, but if the technology proves to be cheaper, faster, and better at building structures, the trend is only going to go one way.