What is a knockout in printing?

A knockout removes the background ink wherever a foreground object sits, so the top color prints on bare paper instead of mixing with the ink underneath. It is the opposite of overprinting and is the default behavior for most artwork.

• The shape of the top object is cut, or knocked out, from the layer below.
• Keeps the foreground color pure by preventing it from blending with the background.
• Standard for most colored text and graphics over a colored background.
• Overprint is the alternative when you want inks to intentionally layer.