There is disclosed in embodiments methods relating to the compression of printing hints. The method in embodiments generates a first set of image pixels having corresponding printing hints. The printing hints are then adjusted to produce a second set of image pixels processed in such a way that an end printed result is visually equivalent to a printed result using the first set of image pixels thereby reducing the entropy in the printing hints. The method improves the compression ratio of an image using printing hints by adjusting the printing hints of pixels that are zero or fully saturated. The printing hints are adjusted in such a way to reduce the complexity of the printing hints.