A method of printing with a personal computer and connected printer includes the step of rendering contone data to a pixel level and subsequently compressing the contone data in the personal computer. The bi-level data is rendered to a dot level and subsequently compressed in the personal computer. Compressed page data is communicated to the printer. The contone data and the bi-level data are expanded in the printer. The contone date is halftoned in the printer. The bi-level data is composited in the printer. The halftoned and composited data is printed.