1. A multi-bit halftone generator comprising: means adapted for receiving n-bit binary encoded image data, the encoded image data including data representative of a plurality of pixels having 2 n gray scale levels, wherein n is an integer greater than 1; means adapted for communicating data to an associated document processing device, which document processing device includes means for rendering a document having 2 m discrete gray scale levels, wherein m is an positive integer less than n; means adapted for receiving data representative of a two-dimensional threshold array having at least 2 n−m elements; means adapted for selecting one of the 2 m gray scale levels in accordance with m high order bits of each received pixel and applying it to a dither matrix associated therewith; and dither means adapted for selectively populating each two-dimensional dither matrix for each received pixel in accordance remaining at least n−m bits thereof in accordance with the threshold array.