Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has revolutionized tissue engineering by enabling the fabrication of functional living structures through the precise layer-by-layer deposition of cell-laden biomaterials. However, challenges persist in achieving mechanical integrity, maintaining structural fidelity, and ensuring desired cellular activities, including viability, proliferation, and differentiation, in printed constructs. This chapter focuses on three critical aspects of extrusion-based bioprinting: (i) biomimetic design, (ii) bio-inks and precursors characterization, and (iii) printing with cellulose and its derivatives. Human organs consist of heterogeneous cell populations organized into gradient architectures within a variably porous extracellular matrix (ECM). Replicating such intricate structural patterns necessitates customized design and deposition strategies tailored specifically to cells, tissues, and organs—topics explored in the first section. Cellulose-based biomaterials, particularly carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and TEMPO-mediated nano-fibrillated cellulose (TO-NFC), have become promising candidates for bio-inks due to their intrinsic biocompatibility, minimal cytotoxicity, and adjustable rheological characteristics. The second section details methodologies for preparing cellulose-derived bio-inks and precursor formulations. Finally, the third section analyzes the influence of printing parameters on structural fidelity and functional performance, emphasizing their role in cellular encapsulation efficacy and sustained viability within biofabricated living constructs. By integrating the troika (design, material, and manufacturing) factors in our bioprinting methodology, we demonstrate that cellulose-based bio-inks can effectively produce large-scale structures with high geometric fidelity at low solid concentrations (<5%). Furthermore, cell encapsulation using these bio-inks achieves sustained viability, with reported cell survival rates ranging from 86–90% over extended incubation periods. Our study serves as an essential reference for researchers and practitioners seeking to leverage cellulose derivatives in next-generation, biodegradable 3D bioprinting applications.