Expert: Glen Demers - 7/27/2010

Question
I was curious how to make what I've heard referred to as a knockout in Indesign. For example, to have a page covered with an object, say a blue rectangle, and then to have holes cut into it. So the holes are permanent but you can move photos and other objects behind the say...background fill like you literally can see through a cut out of that rectangle with the fill. I hope this makes sense and that you can help me. Thanks!

Answer
Hi Katie,

We put knockouts on our pocket folder templates on the tabs because ink here may cause the glue not to stick. The knockouts are created on the Illustrator files which you can download here: http://www.bestprintingonline.com/presentation-folder-templates.htm

We also have step by step instructions on how to create a pocket folder here: http://www.bestprintingonline.com/how-to-build-a-folder.htm
Using layers in InDesign allows you to position the folder art and knockouts on your document in a top layer and lock it. This keeps your knockouts in place on the top layer and allows you to move your artwork underneath.

I hope this is what you mean, the only other thing I can think of would be a compound path. If you draw a small circle on top of a larger circle using the ellipse tool and the go to Object>Paths>Make Compound Path with both circles selected then the object will transform from a solid circle like a bullet to an open circle like an O.

Hope this helps,
Glen Demers
Prepress Technician, Best Printing Online
www.bestprintingonline.com

For more InDesign tips please visit our help pages here: http://www.bestprintingonline.com/indesign.htm