Sample is applied to a chromatographic column containing shape stabilized packing and the liquid phase is pumped through the shape stabilized packing at a rate of flow greater than the standard rate of flow to obtain at least one of a target resolution and target time of run. Because of the improved resolution provided by the shape stabilized packing at higher rates of flow of solvent, the chromatographer can either obtain better resolution with a standard gradient or shorten the time of the run and reduce the amount of solvent needed by increasing the slope of the gradient.