# Water-Powered Printers This Printer Uses Water Instead of Ink to Get Perfect Prints By Michael Baxter | Published 2014-02-03 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waterpowered-printer References: [psfk](http://www.psfk.com/2014/01/water-printer-ink.html) & [txchnologist](http://txchnologist.com/post/74852815896/will-water-be-your-next-printer-ink) A water-powered printer seems like the best idea for a printer since the [3D printing craze](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/loop-concept) came along. This printer will allow for printer users to get rid of their [conventional printer ink](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/business-inkjet-printer) in favor of a much cheaper alternative. Sean Zhang of Jilin University and his team of researchers have come up with a way to print legibly with just water. Ink often ends up being the thing that makes printers cost more in the end as the cost of constantly having to refill ends up outweighing the actual cot of the printer itself. The researches have taken their own look at the costs compared beside each other and the results are surprising. The water-based ink ends up costing %1 of what the ink ends up costing. So turn on the tap and save some money with a water-powered printer. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.4/10 - Popularity: 28% | Activity: 37% | 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 ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Water-powered Printing:** The development of water-powered printers has the potential to significantly reduce printing costs and make printing more eco-friendly. - **Innovative Ink Alternatives:** With the success of water-based ink in printers, there is potential for further exploration into more cost-effective and sustainable ink alternatives for various industries. - **Print Sustainability:** The shift towards water-powered printing and other sustainable printing practices has the potential to revolutionize the printing industry and reduce its environmental impact. ### Where This Applies - **Printing Industry:** Printing companies can adapt to water-powered printing technology to become more environmentally friendly and cost-effective. - **Office Supplies Industry:** The development of water-based ink and other innovative ink alternatives has the potential to disrupt the office supplies industry by offering a more affordable and eco-friendly option for ink cartridges. - **Eco-friendly Packaging Industry:** The success of sustainable printing practices, such as water-powered printing, can lead to broader adoption of eco-friendly printing and packaging solutions across various industries. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Innovative 3D Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/innovative-3d-printers.md) - [Paper Waste Reduction Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/handheld-printer-concept.md) - [Open Platform Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/open-printer.md) - [Eco-Friendly Laser Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hp-laser-printer.md) - [Digital E Ink Typwriters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zerowriter-ink.md) - [Refillable Tank Desktop Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hp-smart-tank-7000.md) - [Accessible Atmospheric Water Dispensers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/water-from-air.md) - [Low-Cost Printer Subscriptions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hp-all-in-plan.md) - [Single Pass Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/single-pass-printer.md)