Process for the production of a three-dimensional item by extrusion of a string of dough, comprising a step of providing a viscoelastic food dough inside an extruder comprising a cylindrical tubular body and a piston, an extrusion step by advancing the piston inside the cylindrical tubular body, and a step of interrupting extrusion of the dough by stopping the advancing movement of said piston； a dispensing device comprising such a cylindrical tubular body and such a piston, as well as a printer for the production of an item printed by means of a 3D printing procedure comprising such an extruder, are also described.
