Blockchain: What it brings for your Print Business in 2023? 

The worldwide expenditure on blockchain solutions will surpass $19 billion by 2024. The data conveys how blockchain technology is seizing the market rapidly. With the advent of Bitcoin in 2008, blockchain technology has developed. There have been various well-known brands like Amazon that utilizes blockchain technology. The prominence of this technology implies the security and reliability of the data.  

When it comes to the print industry, blockchain technology can implement new and better revolutions. Right now, print order management software is flourishing in printing networks.  

However, over the past few years, it has been taken into consideration for making up in the print industry. There have been many assumptions made about blockchain technology and printing. Probably, the most significant goal of blockchain could be in the area of transactional data printing. 
 
We know that seeking and securing a printing partner, followed by a pre-contract audit, takes time, with no guarantee that the correct decision was made. It is necessary to consider the factors that affect the print jobs of your firm.   

Well, the benefits of blockchain are noticeable. From finance to medicine, many enterprises are integrating blockchain technology. So, let me first explain to you what blockchain technology is! 

What is Blockchain Technology?  

Blockchain technology is a modern database framework that enables seamless information sharing within a business network. Data is stored in blocks that are linked together in a chain in a blockchain database. Because you cannot delete or revise the chain without network consensus, the data is sequentially consistent.  

As a result, can be used to build an incorruptible ledger for monitoring orders, payments, records, and other transactions. The system includes mechanisms for preventing unauthorized transaction entries and ensuring consistency in the shared outlook of these transactions.  

Blockchain is a way of storing data that manages to make it difficult or impossible to affect, manipulate, or trick the system. Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) is a decentralized database managed by network stakeholders. Now, we should move further with how it works for the print industry. 

How does Blockchain work for Print Businesses?  

Blockchain is helpful for various business entities (including print businesses) that conduct transactions with one another. Blockchain performs a major impact on 3D printing. Moreover, for your print order management permissioned participants, can connect the same information at the same time. You can use diversified ledger technology, improving efficacy, and building trust.  
 
Blockchain also provides a way to address the issues of digital rights operations and licensing that are fundamental in additive manufacturing methods. When we talk about printing firms, intellectual property theft is becoming more prevalent in a world where anyone with 3D printing and access to CAD files can possibly create components and goods.  

The Scope of Blockchain Technology in 3D Printing  

3D printing is indisputably the most thrilling and disruptive print technology progress in a generation. The print sector has evolved from its hardware roots to a largely mature ‘as-a-service’ offering. Blockchain conveys an important milestone around which digitalization projects can fixate. It provides competition to build out its managed print service (MPS) offerings around security, maintenance, and workflow optimization. 

A Blockchain is similar to a practically impossible-to-forge record. Blockchain functions by building a networked, encrypted ledger that can be used to confirm not only identities but also the level of any given job. That is, every node involved in any phase of a 3D print online is attentive to what the other nodes are doing at all times in a secure and confidential manner.  

Since a blockchain is decentralized, which means that no single node owns it, seizing or modifying a 3D-printed file from a blockchain necessitates tampering with every node that was a part of that specific chain, which is nearly impossible.  

Some experts believe that blockchain-based 3D printing systems will help to overcome major adoption difficulties. It makes the domestic manufacturing scenario more realistic. You can get the in-detailed guide on 3D printing and blockchain for business models.  

Moreover, to fully discover blockchain’s potential in 3D printing, businesses must conquer numerous obstacles, some of which are unrelated to blockchain maturity. These barriers provide the development of stakeholder compliance concepts. It doesn’t encourage sharing and ecosystem establishment, and regulatory conditions related to data privacy.  

On a technical level, the method of linking various printing parts to the digital blockchain ledger requires more work. Despite these obstacles, we genuinely think that blockchain can become the foundational infrastructure of future 3D printing value chains. It can address critical IP and data security issues while also opening up countless opportunities for business models. 

Blockchain Challenges for the Print Industry  

There will definitely be challenges for print sector companies looking to embed blockchain into their business plans. The challenges for blockchain in the print sector are as follows; 

• Execution and the costs of running organization blockchain networks are being disputed.  
• The technology’s relative knowledge base is low.  
• Security and privacy issues are not resolved. 
• Integration with legacy systems may become difficult.
• Fear of fraud and malpractice. 

Likewise, its origin as the foundation technology for bitcoin has resulted in risk perceptions.  

While the initial hype has subsided, blockchain remains a new technology. With all the challenges and opportunities blockchain is the point of discussion for the print industry. There have been some unclear aspects of blockchain and print firms.  

Blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize the print industry in a number of ways.

Here are a few examples of how blockchain could be used in the print industry:

1. Supply Chain Management: Blockchain technology can be used to create a digital ledger of all transactions in the supply chain, from the manufacturer to the retailer. This would make it easier to track the origin of products and ensure that they are produced in an ethical and sustainable way.
2. Copyright and Intellectual Property: Blockchain technology can be used to create a secure, tamper-proof record of who owns the rights to a piece of content. This could be used to prevent piracy and ensure that content creators are properly compensated for their work.
3. E-commerce: Blockchain technology can be used to create a secure platform for e-commerce transactions in the print industry. This would make it easier for consumers to purchase products online and for retailers to manage their inventory.
4. Ad targeting: Blockchain technology can be used to create a more accurate and secure way to target ads to specific audiences. It could also enable brands to track their ad campaigns and get a more detailed understanding of how their ads are performing.
5. Print on Demand: Blockchain technology can be used to manage print-on-demand services. Smart contracts can be used to automate the process of ordering, printing, and shipping products, making it more efficient and cost-effective.
6. Traceability: Blockchain can be used to track the journey of the products from the publisher to the end user, ensuring the authenticity of the product and also providing a detailed view of the supply chain.

The Bottom-line 

Blockchain technology has the potential to improve transparency, security, and efficiency in the print industry. By creating tamper-proof digital records, it can help to protect intellectual property, and also enable new business models such as print on demand.

The above elaboration has mentioned how blockchain impacts the print industry, especially 3D printing. There have also many studies showing its importance for the 3D printing market in the future. However, for now, there are many insufficient narratives. So, we can’t conclude any concrete statement on it.  

But with the increasing need for blockchain among other industrial sectors anticipates its full-fledged amalgamation in the print sector as well.  

Today, the more focused area in the print business is web-to-print solutions. It has been one-of-a-kind software that offers multiple requirements for your print business. It facilitates you with SaaS solutions and enhances the performance of your web-to-print storefront.  

The major feature that makes it adaptable for all business types is order management. Warehousing, ordering, and shipment, make the process smooth and easy. You can get competitive benefits by implementing it!