A method for printing a multi-layered textured image, the method comprising: receiving information regarding a number of a first plurality of ink layers of an image of the multi-layered textured image to be printed on a substrate by an ink jet print head based printing system; determining a number of a second plurality of color ink layers of a texture of the multi-layered textured image, the number of the second plurality of color ink layers being a function of an intensity of a given pixel of the texture and a desired maximum thickness ink droplet count of the texture; and generating a set of instructions to cause one or more print heads (20, 25, 27) of the printing system to print the multi-layered textured image with the texture as a plurality of ink layers on the substrate, the set of instructions causing the printing system to: print the second plurality of color ink layers of the texture on the substrate, insert a first set of one or more blank layers above the second plurality of color ink layers of the texture before printing one or more ink layers of substantially white ink, wherein a blank layer causes the printing system not to deposit any ink on the substrate for the blank layer, print the one or more ink layers of substantially white ink (725, 727) after the inserted set of one or more blank layers, insert a second set of blank layers above the one or more ink layers of substantially white ink before printing the first plurality of ink layers of the image, wherein in each of the first set and the second set of blank layers, the print head is stopped from depositing any ink on the substrate, and print the first plurality of ink layers of the image on the second set of blank layers. receiving information regarding a number of a first plurality of ink layers of an image of the multi-layered textured image to be printed on a substrate by an ink jet print head based printing system; determining a number of a second plurality of color ink layers of a texture of the multi-layered textured image, the number of the second plurality of color ink layers being a function of an intensity of a given pixel of the texture and a desired maximum thickness ink droplet count of the texture; and generating a set of instructions to cause one or more print heads (20, 25, 27) of the printing system to print the multi-layered textured image with the texture as a plurality of ink layers on the substrate, the set of instructions causing the printing system to: print the second plurality of color ink layers of the texture on the substrate, insert a first set of one or more blank layers above the second plurality of color ink layers of the texture before printing one or more ink layers of substantially white ink, wherein a blank layer causes the printing system not to deposit any ink on the substrate for the blank layer, print the one or more ink layers of substantially white ink (725, 727) after the inserted set of one or more blank layers, insert a second set of blank layers above the one or more ink layers of substantially white ink before printing the first plurality of ink layers of the image, wherein in each of the first set and the second set of blank layers, the print head is stopped from depositing any ink on the substrate, and print the first plurality of ink layers of the image on the second set of blank layers. print the second plurality of color ink layers of the texture on the substrate, insert a first set of one or more blank layers above the second plurality of color ink layers of the texture before printing one or more ink layers of substantially white ink, wherein a blank layer causes the printing system not to deposit any ink on the substrate for the blank layer, print the one or more ink layers of substantially white ink (725, 727) after the inserted set of one or more blank layers, insert a second set of blank layers above the one or more ink layers of substantially white ink before printing the first plurality of ink layers of the image, wherein in each of the first set and the second set of blank layers, the print head is stopped from depositing any ink on the substrate, and print the first plurality of ink layers of the image on the second set of blank layers.