hi!
checkout "baking" in the render settings. It allows you to bake materials into the UV layout image.
It does have its limits, but I find it suprisingly useful.
This is what got me started: http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/educational/watch/v6379634HgSpwjCM
Try baking "texture" instead of "normals", then it bakes the texture info....