A method of printing an image on a substrate comprises determining a pile height differential for the image. A clear marking material is added to the image printed on the substrate in response to the determined pile height differential. Adding the clear marking material substantially reduces the pile height differential between two areas of the printed image. The clear marking material may be a clear ink or a clear toner material. The substrate on which the image is printed may comprise a plurality of sheets, a roll or other length of print media. The step of adding clear marking material to the image may include substantially leveling the printed image using the clear marking material. In at least one alternative embodiment, the step of adding clear marking material to the image includes adding at least one patch of clear marking material to the printed image.