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O ve rp ri nt Preview
Overprint Preview is a View menu command that simulates how objects that use the
Overprint attribute will appear in color-separated output (or composite output when the
Simulate Overprint option is enabled). This is exactly the same as using the Separations
Preview palette with all inks displayed, so you can use it as a shortcut for that specific view.
When Overprint Preview is on, you can see underlying objects through overprinted objects
as it would appear on press. Because Overprint Preview models ink behavior, overprinted
objects which use lighter or screened inks reveal more underlying inks during overprint
preview, because they actually are less opaque when printed.
Overprint Preview off (left) and on (right), where the text fill and stroke and the wave’s light blue stroke are all
set to overprint in the Attributes palette. Because strokes are centered above fill edges, half of each stroke falls
outside each fill.
When using Overprint Preview, use the same guidelines listed for the Separations Preview
palette on page 46.
To preview overprinting:
Choose View > Overprint Preview.
Note:
You can also preview overprints when you output to a composite printing device or
PDF file. To do this, turn on Simulate Overprint in the Advanced panel of the Print dialog
box or the Export PDF dialog box. Simulate Overprint should be off when creating actual
separated output—as its name indicates, this feature is intended for proofing only, and won’t
preserve spot colors.