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 .