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Improving gradient printing on low-resolution printers


    When a gradient fill is applied to an object, Illustrator uses the printer's default screen. If you turn off the printer's default screen in the Printing & Export panel of the Document Setup dialog box, Illustrator uses Adobe screens to enhance the output of gradients when printing to low-resolution printers (600 dpi and less) that support fewer than 256 gray levels. On some low-resolution printers, turning off the Use Printer's Default Screen option may improve the output quality of gradients, gradient meshes, and raster images.

    Note: Do not turn off Use Printer's Default Screen if you want to use a printer override (EPSF Riders) file.

To turn off the printer's default screen, with low-resolution printers:

  1. Choose File > Document Setup. Then choose Printing & Export from the pop-up menu at the top left of the Document Setup dialog box.
  2. Deselect Use Printer's Default Screen, and click OK.