雲端印刷結合了Web 2.0時代的網路快速資訊傳播能力,以及傳統印刷產業的生產流程,其劃時代的印刷產業經營模式,在先進國家地區已發展至成熟階段,無論是傳統印刷或數位印刷產業,莫不與網路緊密結合,以期能在競爭激烈的微利時代降低成本、提升生產效率、建立差異化經營模式、進而創造新的商機。而有著3D雲端列印之稱的荷蘭科技創業公司Shapeways,於2012年10月啟用了位於美國紐約的「未來工廠」,成為全世界規模最大的消費立體列印工廠。原本是一個鼓勵製作和分享3D列印設計的網路社群,提供成千上萬各種類型的公版3D數位檔案及上傳的個人創作可供下單訂製,除了線上教學指導外,並且結合了金流及物流機制,建構出完善的雲端印刷服務,進而將「在任何時間、以任何工具、把任何格式的檔案、在任何系統輸出」的終極理想往前推進一大步。
Cloud printing combines Web 2.0 era rapid dissemination of information network capacity, as well as traditional printing industry production process, its epochmaking printing industry business model, in advancedcountries has developed to a mature stage, whether it is traditional print or digital printing industry, all working closely with the network, in order to be able to profit in the competitive era of lower costs, improve productivity, build differentiated business model, thus creating new business opportunities. A 3D cloud print said the Netherlands technology venture company ”Shapeways”, opened in October 2012 in the United States New York ”factory of the future”, making it the world's largest consumer stereo printing factory. Originally is a encourages making and share 3D print design of network community, provides tens of thousands of various type of public version 3D digital archives and the upload of personal creation may for custom orders available, apart from online teaching guide outside, and combination has financial flows and the logistics mechanism, construction out perfect of cloud printing service, turn will ”in any time, and to any tool, and put any format of archives, and in any system output” of ultimate ideal ahead promoting a forward.