Editing Overprinting

{{Short description|Process of printing one color over another}}
{{about|printing processes|overprints on stamps or currency|overprint|other uses}}
[[Image:knockout trapping overprinting.svg|thumb|320px|
{| width="95%"
| width="5%" | &nbsp;
! width="35%" align="center" | Knock-out<br />without trapping
! width="35%" align="center" | Knock-out<br />with trapping
! width="25%" align="center" | Overprinting
|}
<hr />
Comparison of a [[Knock-out (printing)|knock-out]] with and without [[Trap (printing)|trapping]], and '''overprinting''' for perfect and imperfect [[Printing registration|registration]].

Rows are as follows: {{ordered list
    |1=The cyan (lighter) plate,
    |2=The magenta (darker) plate,
    |3=Result with perfect registration (some monitors show slight misalignment), and
    |4=Result with imperfect registration.
}}]]

'''Overprinting''' refers to the process of printing one colour on top of another in [[Reprography|reprographics]]. This is closely linked to the reprographic technique of [[Trap (printing)|'trapping']]. Another use of overprinting is to create a [[rich black]] (often regarded as a colour that is "blacker than black") by printing black over another dark colour.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Craig |first1=James |last2=Scala |first2=Irene Korol |title=Designing with Type, 5th Edition: The Essential Guide to Typography |date=16 May 2012 |publisher=Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed |isbn=978-0-8230-8560-6 |page=98 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IXHCKKhswdgC&dq=typography+Reverse+print&pg=PA98 |access-date=29 September 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Cohen |first1=Sandee |title=InDesign CS6: Visual QuickStart Guide |date=10 July 2012 |publisher=Peachpit Press |isbn=978-0-13-300610-0 |page=136 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=68rY2-nwBaUC&dq=Overprinting&pg=PA136 |access-date=29 September 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

It is also the term used in the production of envelopes customised to order by printing images (such as logos) and texts (such as slogans) on mass-produced machine-made envelopes; the alternative way of producing such envelopes is to print "on the flat" and then cut out the individual shapes and fold them to form the envelopes.{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}} However the latter method is generally only economically viable for large print runs offering [[returns to scale]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}}

Overprinting also refers to the printing of additional information onto self-adhesive labels and product packaging. "Best Before", "Use By" dates and batch codes are printed in situ onto product
packaging as the items are packed. Generally [[Thermal printing|thermal printers]], ink jet printers or laser printers are used.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Printing terminology]]
[[Category:Envelopes]]