Colour & Ink advanced technicaldeliberatelayered

Knockout versus Overprint

Deciding whether an ink sits on the paper or on top of another ink, which changes the colour.

What it does

Knocking out means the underlying colour is removed so the top ink prints on bare paper and keeps its own hue. Overprinting means it prints on top and multiplies with what is beneath, producing a third colour. Black text is almost always set to overprint so a registration shift does not show white fringes, whereas a light colour must knock out or it disappears. Choosing wrongly is one of the classic production errors.

The prompt

[Subject] printed in two spot colours demonstrating both handling: some shapes knocked out so the second ink prints on bare paper and holds its true hue, others overprinting so they multiply into a darker third colour where they cross. Black type overprinting throughout with no white fringe at any edge. Visible ink layering, uncoated stock.

Replace [Subject] with what you are shooting. Everything else is deliberate: the gear, stock and lighting are what push a generator towards this look.

Works well in

Midjourney, FLUX

Pairs with

Two-Ink Discipline Screenprint Overprint

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