A multifunctional printer comprising a liquid crystal layer mounted below a platen, with a light source positioned below the platen and liquid crystal layer. The multifunctional printer can display images using the liquid crystal layer and light source, such that the images are visible to users on the platen. The images can be deactivated and the platen made clear when users choose to scan documents placed on the platen. The images can include print previews, user interface components, and/or scan lines that indicate the boundaries of a scan area on the platen.