1. A method of manufacturing a volumetric continuous gradient complex dielectric element with drop-on-demand techniques, such as inkjet printing, by calculating spatial placement of nanocomposite-ink droplets, the method comprising: determining or having a multi-dimensional gradient profile representing a volumetric gradient complex dielectric element; providing or having a plurality of nanocomposite-inks, at least one of the nanocomposite-inks having a curable organic-matrix and a concentration of nanoparticles dispersed within; determining or having a one-, two-, or three-dimensional print mask that reconstructs the multi-dimensional gradient profile as a discretized pattern based on the material properties of the plurality of nanocomposite-inks and properties of a printing apparatus; and computing a spatial or spatio-temporal print schedule based in part on the discretized pattern that results in an at least approximate reproduction of the gradient profile when printed with the printing apparatus.