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Graphic Design vocabulary · Print Production

Overprint

Meaning in graphic design, with examples

/ˌoʊvərˈprɪnt/verbAdvanced term

In graphic design, overprint means: To print one ink directly on top of another, instead of leaving a gap in the colour below. Black text is often set to overprint to avoid white gaps around it.

In Turkish: üst baskı yapmak, overprint etmek

How it is used

Used in prepress and printer checks. You set an object to overprint or check overprint settings with Overprint Preview; the opposite is knock out. Turkish prepress staff usually say overprint.

Example sentences

  1. Set the small black text to overprint so it doesn't show white edges if the plates move.

  2. The white logo disappeared because it was accidentally set to overprint.

Common collocations

  • set to overprint
  • overprint preview
  • overprint black
  • knock out
  • rich blackA deeper printed black made by adding some cyan, magenta and yellow to 100% black ink, used for large dark areas rather than small text.
  • CMYKCyan, magenta, yellow and key (black): the four ink colours used in most colour printing. Mixing them in small dots creates the full range of printed colours.
  • proofA trial version of a design, on paper or as a PDF, that the designer and client check carefully for mistakes and colour before the full print run starts.
  • print-readyDescribes a final file that meets the printer's requirements and can go straight to press, with correct size, bleed, colour mode, image resolution and fonts.

More terms: Print Production

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