Abstract: A multi-level printing process using a printer by converting electronic page data to multi-level bitmap data with a specific number of gradation levels Nlev at a specified spatial resolution higher than that of the printer; converting the multi-level bitmap data to a lower spatial resolution; reducing the number of gradation levels by a processing technique to some lower number Nlevp giving a second multi-level bitmap; and printing the multi-level output bitmap by a printer having at least Nlevp different gradation levels at a single pixel location.