The invention relates to a roller for fluid film preparation, such as for offset printing, having an inside core, a first layer which surrounds the core and has a first hardness, and a second layer which surrounds first layer A and has a second hardness different from that of the first layer. The roller coating, including the first and second layers, is provided, at least in certain sections, with an essentially continuous hardness gradient through the layer thickness. The hardness gradient can be produced by incorporating a gradient of a hardness-modifying substance or agent, or a precursor thereof, e.g. an agent that increases the degree of cross-linking, by means of diffusion or migration of the substance or agent from at least one surface of the roller coating.