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30.06.2020 What is Overprint?

WHAT IS OVERPRINT?
Terms and concepts in printing can be quite confusing, especially if you're not a professional and are encountering printing for the first time.

When preparing a file for printing, there are a few specific terms you should be familiar with to ensure your product turns out as expected.

One of these terms is OVERPRINT. Simply put, OVERPRINT is the process of printing one color on top of another, which results in a mixing of colors, and the outcome may be an unintended or unexpected color.

Overprint ON
Example: If yellow is set to print over cyan, the yellow and cyan will mix into green.

This can become a problem if only certain parts of the file are set to OVERPRINT, as the final result will have uneven colors throughout the file.

If objects are not set to OVERPRINT, the colors will not mix, and only the color of the front object will remain, preventing colors from "smearing" or becoming oversaturated. In this case, the graphic program "cancels out" the bottom color, which will not be printed (it remains the color of the paper).

During the printing process, small register accuracy errors may occur, and tiny white spaces might appear where the colors meet. To avoid this, you can use the "overprint" function for the top element. In this case, the bottom color will not be "canceled out".

OVERFILL
If you use this function, the area with the lighter color will be slightly enlarged. It will appear as if the lighter color has a border. This method also prevents unwanted white spaces due to possible small register accuracy errors.

OVERPRINT vs OVERFILL
If you're creating a dark element on a light background, use the overprint function for the dark element (the surface will be slightly enlarged compared to the space intended for this element on the light background). If you're creating a light element on a dark background, use the overfill function on the light element.

Overprint OFF
Example: If we print two overlapping circles, the last circle is yellow, and the front one is magenta, the yellow circle will only be visible up to the magenta circle.


Some tips for using OVERPRINT for graphic designers:
DEEP BLACK: In printing, black is often set to overprint other colors. A deep black is the result of 100% black being printed on top of other colors (40% cyan, 30% magenta, 30% yellow, 100% black).

Objects that are white should never be set as OVERPRINT because white does not print. If you set a white object as OVERPRINT, it will not be visible on the print, and the layer underneath the object will be visible instead.

If you want to check whether or not you have used the OVERPRINT function, you can verify this in the settings before exporting the file for print (output attributes).


Barbara V.