Expert: Nick Putthoff - 2/12/2009

Question
HI, I'm relatively new to this area of work, (self taught and 1 college semester!)
and I'm being told by my printer that sometimes knock out type appears on
some of the ads I get sent in by customers. Even on some of the ads I do myself.
How can I make white type with a black outline appear sharp when it prints?  

Answer
Tracy,

To make white type with a black outline appears sharp I would first make sure that the black outline is 100% black only.

Secondly I would apply the black stroke (outline) to a copy of the white text. To do this select the white text object, go to the Edit pull-down menu and select Copy, then go to the Edit pull-down menu and select Paste in Back, then apply the black stroke. By adding the black stroke to a copy of the text that is behind the white type the black stroke will only go to the outside of the white type. If the text has been converted to outlines the Stroke panel will give you the option to align the stroke to the outside of the path.

Good Luck

Nick