A method of informing a user of an imaging apparatus of an event, the imaging apparatus having a plurality of print modes, includes the steps of defining a notice threshold that is associated with the event; determining whether the notice threshold has been reached; and upon reaching the notice threshold, progressively reducing an image density of an image formed by the imaging apparatus based on a print mode the imaging apparatus was operating in when the notice threshold was reached. Alternatively, imaging density may be progressively reduced based on reaching a next fade area of a plurality of fade areas for the print medium.