Step 2: Select overprint options for overlapping colors
If you have not changed the transparency of your artwork with the Transparency palette, the fills and strokes in the artwork will appear opaque because the top color knocks out, or cuts out, the area underneath. You can prevent knockout by using the Overprint option in the Attributes palette to make the topmost overlapping printing ink appear transparent in relation to the underlying ink. Note: The degree of transparency in printing depends on the ink, paper, and printing method used. Consult your print shop to determine how these variables will affect your final artwork. The Filter > Colors > Overprint Black command allows you to set black fill or black stroked lines to overprint (or, alternatively, to remove overprinting commands from black fill or black stroked lines). After you have set your overprinting options, you should use the Overprint Preview mode to see an approximation of how the overprinting colors will print. However, it is important that you carefully check overprinted colors on separated artwork using integral proofs (where each separation is shown in register on a single piece of paper) or overlay proofs (where the separations are shown in register on separate plastic sheets stacked on top of each other). (See Previewing how artwork will print.) ![]() Colors knocked out by default and with the Overprint option in the Attributes palette selected You may want to overprint in the following situations: To set overprinting on objects:
![]() Result of selecting and overprinting front circle (yellow) compared to middle circle (magenta) If you use the Overprint option on a 100% black stroke or fill, the black ink may not be opaque enough to prevent the underlying ink colors from showing through. To eliminate the show-through problem, use a four-color (rich) black instead of a 100% black. Consult with your print shop about the exact percentages of color to add to the black. ![]() Appearance of artwork on monitor (without Overprint preview) compared to printed artwork To set or remove overprinting from black lines:
Note: If you are overprinting a spot color that contains process colors as well as the specified percentage of black, it is necessary to choose both the Include Blacks with CMY option and the Include Spot Blacks option. |