The invention relates to the use of a printable polymerisable liquid crystal material as printable system for the preparation of polymers and pigments, to printable polymerisable liquid crystal materials and pigments and polymers prepared thereof, and to the use of the printable materials, pigments and polymers in optical, electrooptical, semiconductor and electronic applications and as birefringent and optically variable markings for decorative, security, authentification or identification applications.