1. A method for accurate tone reproduction of an image on a printing surface, comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining image values for pixels of said image, said image values being quantized on an image values scale having a maximum image value and having more than two image scale levels; (b) mapping said image values for said pixels to printer values quantized on a printer values scale having more than two printer scale levels, said printer values scale having a maximum printer value which differs from said maximum image value, differences between said image values and said printer values, as measured on said image values scale, being corrected such that a first spatial average over a region of said image values approximates a second spatial average over said region of said printer values, as measured on said image values scale; and (c) depositing marking medium at said pixels on said printing surface in amounts roughly proportional to said printer values.