🚀 go-pugleaf

I am using PageMaker 4.2 with my Mac and a LaserWriter IIf.  I am printing
a newsletter, but one page seems to take *forever* to print.  What's weird
is that it takes forever to print using the Aldus driver, but prints
rather quickly when I print through the standard Apple driver.

The page has a masthead created in TypeStyler, composed of 72 point text
with two gradient-filled gradient-shadowed letters.  I also have a
gradient-filled box created in FreeHand 3.2 which is composed of a
120-element blend.  At the bottom I have two pieces of clipart (award
ribbons which I created in FreeHand).  I also have two columns of text and
a 1"x1" TIFF image.  It seems to take well over 5 minutes (maybe even 10)
to print the page using the Aldus driver, but zooms out in less than half
the time using the Apple driver.

I'm using System 7.0.1, TuneUp 1.1.1 and version 7.1.1 of the Apple
printer driver.  All the graphic elements on the page were put there using
System 7's publish & subscribe, so I assume they're all EPS images as
exported by FreeHand and TypeStyler (the TypeStyler masthead may be PICT,
I'm not sure).

Is there anything I can do to make printout faster?  I don't know why it
takes so long with the Aldus driver.  The only thing unusual about this
page is that I have quite a few elements that have smooth gradient-shading
(the ones created in FreeHand use blends) - is the Aldus driver doing
something "extra" with these gradient fills, like determining proper
calibration, etc?  If so, is there any way I can disable this by altering
the PPD/PDX?  I'd appreciate any help.  Thanks!