# Printess

> Low-cost, open-source 3D bioprinter

**Wikidata**: [Q136812898](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q136812898)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/printess

## Summary
Printess is a low-cost, open-source 3D bioprinter that launched in 2024. It is designed for the multimaterial and high-throughput direct ink writing of soft and living materials. As an open-hardware project, its design documents and source code are publicly available.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** 2024
- **Type:** 3D printer, open hardware
- **Primary Use:** Bio-printing
- **Printing Method:** Direct ink writing of soft and living materials
- **Key Features:** Low-cost, multimaterial, high-throughput
- **Official Website:** https://printess.org/
- **Source Code:** Available on GitHub at `github.com/weiss-jonathan/Printess-Low-Cost-3D-Printer`
- **Described In:** The academic paper "A Low-Cost, Open-Source 3D Printer for Multimaterial and High-Throughput Direct Ink Writing of Soft and Living Materials"

## FAQs
### Q: What is Printess used for?
A: Printess is a 3D bioprinter used for creating three-dimensional objects from soft and living materials. Its primary application is in bio-printing, utilizing a technique called direct ink writing.

### Q: Is Printess an open-source project?
A: Yes, Printess is classified as open hardware. Its source code, design documents, and issue tracker are publicly available on GitHub, allowing others to build, access, and modify the printer.

### Q: Where can I find instructions to build a Printess printer?
A: The project's source code repository on GitHub contains the necessary files and information. A video with build instructions was also published in 2024 and is available on Wikimedia Commons.

## Why It Matters
Printess addresses the significant cost barrier in the field of 3D bioprinting. By providing a low-cost, open-source alternative to expensive commercial bioprinters, it makes advanced fabrication technology more accessible to a wider range of researchers, educators, and institutions. Its design for high-throughput and multimaterial printing of soft and living materials can accelerate innovation in fields like tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and materials science. The open-hardware nature of Printess fosters a collaborative community, allowing for continuous improvement and adaptation of the technology by its users. This accessibility has the potential to democratize research and development in a critical area of biotechnology.

## Notable For
- **Low Cost:** The printer is specifically designed to be a low-cost solution for bio-printing applications.
- **Open-Source Design:** As an open-hardware project, its complete designs and source code are publicly available for anyone to use, study, and modify.
- **Multimaterial Capability:** It is engineered for direct ink writing using multiple types of soft and living materials.
- **High-Throughput Printing:** The design is optimized for high-throughput fabrication, enabling more efficient and rapid production compared to standard setups.

## Body
### ### Overview and Purpose
Printess is a 3D bioprinter that was introduced in 2024. It is an instance of a 3D printer and open hardware. The project's primary goal is to provide a low-cost and accessible platform for the direct ink writing of soft and living materials.

### ### Technical Capabilities
The printer is specifically designed for bio-printing applications. Its core technology is direct ink writing, a method of additive manufacturing where viscoelastic inks are extruded to create 3D structures. According to the academic paper describing it, Printess is capable of handling multiple materials and is optimized for high-throughput workflows.

### ### Open-Source Project Resources
The Printess project is fully open and provides several resources for the community:
- **Official Website:** `https://printess.org/`
- **Source Code Repository:** The complete source code and design files are hosted on GitHub at `github.com/weiss-jonathan/Printess-Low-Cost-3D-Printer`.
- **Issue Tracker:** Bugs and development issues are tracked publicly on GitHub.
- **Build Instructions:** A video demonstrating the build process was released in 2024.