In 1971, a patent, US3596285 was issued for a Liquid Metal Recorder, a printer process that fabricated metal models of symbols, patterns and characters. Liquid metal was referred to as hot-melt "type" ink in this patent and it was introduced before the term 3D printing was ever conceived. These are examples of inks that create a 3-D effect on the page.
In 1971, a patent, US3596285 was issued for a Liquid Metal Recorder, a printer process that fabricated metal models of symbols, patterns and characters. The term "hot-melt type" ink was used in the patent to refer to liquid metal, and it predates the concept of 3D printing. These are examples of inks that create a 3-D effect on the page.