1. A computer implemented method comprising: receiving a first electronic file that includes computer-readable instructions that cause a 3D printer to print a 3D object; receiving data to be printed as part of the 3D object; selecting, by at least one processor, a set of symbols to use to represent the data, wherein the selected set of symbols comprises one of: a first group of symbols, wherein each symbol of the first group of symbols comprises parallel lines having a unique orientation; and a second group of symbols, wherein each symbol of the second group of symbols comprises a slanted surface having a unique orientation; developing, by at least one processor, a 3D symbol matrix representative of the data, the 3D symbol matrix comprising a plurality of sub-regions, wherein each sub-region comprises a symbol from the selected set of symbols; and generating, by the at least one processor, a second electronic file to be used for printing the 3D object, where the second electronic file comprises additional computer-readable instructions that cause the 3D printer to embed the 3D symbol matrix into the 3D object during printing of the 3D object.