: One of the letters in my company's vector logo is partially transparent I've inherited a file called Logo_Spot.ai. I'm putting together some print ads for my employer using InDesign CS5 and I'm

@Murray976

Select the object and uncheck Overprint fill or stroke if they are checked int he Attributes Panel (Window > Attributes).

There are two ways ink can be printed on stock - overprinting and knockout.

Knockout refers to the removal of all ink in the area where something is going to be printed. Basically, knockout means to make the area blank so that the new ink will not be altered by any ink already present in that area. Knockout requires good registration to work well. The printing becomes a puzzle and each ink color must align with the others to ensure a quality print. Trapping is imperative when using knockouts.

Overprinting is the reverse of knockout. Overprinting means you don't do anything to the underlying ink and simply lay the new ink on top of whatever may already be there. This can often have an affect on color similar to a "multiply" blend mode - ink colors are stacked on top of one another. Overprinting is more forgiving when it comes to registration because nothing needs to align perfectly.

Depending upon the design, both overprinting and knockout can have useful purposes. For example it is often preferable to overprint smaller, black, type.

Both InDesign and Illustrator have object-level attribute setting to designate object as overprinting. If they are not designated as overprinting it is assumed they knock out. The apps also have an Overprint Preview Mode (View menu) so you can see how overprinting may affect artwork.

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@Sue6373160

As pointed out by Scott, overprint (specifically "overprint fill") was enabled on that element in the Illustrator file.

I searched and found an article detailing overprinting, which pointed me toward the fix:


Select the element in question
Open the Attributes Pane (CTRL+F11 on PC)
Un-check the "Overprint Fill" option box


This will stop the element from allowing colours beneath it to show through.

Alternatively, if you are using InDesign, you can find the same option under Window > Output > Attributes

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