Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 6/26/2008

Question
I am very new to Illustrator.  I was preparing an order with screen printer/plastisol transfer manufacturer so I could make a shirt.  My art includes no layers.  So, on same layer, I have a black line that is in back.  Then I have a white box in front that covers the line.  Half line is on one side of white box and half is on the other.  The vendor informed me white will become 'clear' and therefore the black will show up.  I don't want it to and am trying to figure out how or what keywords to use (mask, knockout, flatten, etc) I could google to rectify this.  My design is a little more complicated then offered so simply draw a line on either side of the box will not work.  I believe I want to basically 'flatten' (I realize not layers) and remove the black line that exists under the white box.  Is there a way to do that or am I required to use layers and then flatten for this case?

Thanks in advance.

Answer
Hi Mike,

Your printer is wrong. I work with files and vendors like this all the time. The white is creating a knockout that will remove the black when it goes to press. It will not become "clear". That is the native default for IL.

If he insists that you still need to do this, you can use the scissors tool to cut the line and remove the piece beneath the white box.

Thanks

Kevin