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# DIY Touchscreen Displays
The PrintScreen Method Lets Anyone Print Their Own Custom Displays

By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2015-03-09 | Tech
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/printscreen
References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/custom-touchscreens-that-can-be-printed-on-demand/36447/) & [eurekalert.org](http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-03/su-c2d030515.php)

A team of computer scientists at Saarland University in Germany have developed PrintScreen, a technology that could allow regular people to print their own custom displays including touchscreens. Using little more than a regular inkjet printer in conjunction with a special ink, a simple DIY [thin-film electroluminescence display](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dupont-flexible-displays) can be printed out from a digital template using a regular old program like [Microsoft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gpd-duo) Word or PowerPoint.

While printing out a regular near-HD display is neat in itself, this could be just the beginning. The PrintScreen method could eventually make use of other materials such as metal, plastic or wood. [Touch-sensitive displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ds-pixel-keyboard) are also on the horizon.

The DIY printed screens could be embedded in everything from furniture to clothing.

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 2.8/10
- Popularity: 45% | Activity: 32% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X
- Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets)

## Key Themes

### Why This Trend Is Growing

- **DIY Custom Displays:** PrintScreen technology enables regular people to print their own custom displays using a regular inkjet printer.
- **Innovative Printing Materials:** PrintScreen method opens up opportunities to print displays on materials like metal, plastic, or wood.
- **Touch-sensitive DIY Displays:** PrintScreen technology could lead to the development of touch-sensitive printed displays.

### Industries Being Reshaped

- **Consumer Electronics:** The DIY custom display trend presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the consumer electronics industry.
- **Printing and Publishing:** The innovative printing materials trend creates disruptive innovation opportunities in the printing and publishing industry.
- **Fashion and Home Decor:** The touch-sensitive DIY display trend offers disruptive innovation opportunities in the fashion and home decor industry.

## Related on Trend Hunter

- [At-Home Hobbyist Screen Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/makeblock-xtool-screen-printer.md)
- [Low-Energy Colorful Electronic Paper](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eskin-anycolor.md)
- [Ultra-Thin Stretchable Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lg.md)
- [Eco Eye-Friendly Display Technologies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hannspree-ecovision-paper-display.md)
- [Screen-Equipped Computer Peripherals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magic-mouse-touch.md)
- [Large Poster-Like Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inkposter-duna.md)
- [Chromatic Paper-Like Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tcl-nxtpaper-40.md)
- [Fluid-Filled Tactile OLED Screens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flat-panel-haptics.md)
- [Touchscreen Projector Peripherals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/touchscreen-projector.md)