What is Bioprinting? Using similar technology to 3D printing, bioprinting uses a digital file as a blueprint to fabricate biomedical parts that closely imitate the characteristics of natural tissue. The engineered tissues are created by layering biomaterials and/or living cells, which are referred to collectively as bio-inks. Image Credit: Crevis / Shutterstock.com Bio-inks must possess certain physicochemical properties to ensure that the resultant tissue constructs are adequately robust, biologically compatible with the tissues they mimic, and able to be produced at scale. Bioprinting occurs in three stages: Pre-bioprinting This involves the production of the digital model that will later be printed and the selection of the materials that will be used. Images are usually created with computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging and once finalized, certain cells are isolated, multiplied and combined with the selected bio-ink.