Option
Last updated on
Jun 2, 2026
Learn about all the blending mode options for controlling color interactions between overlapping objects in Adobe InDesign.
Use this reference to choose a blending mode for overlapping objects or to troubleshoot unexpected color results. Blending modes control how the selected object’s color interacts with the colors underneath to create the final result.
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Description |
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Normal |
Applies the selected color without blending it with the colors underneath. This is the default mode. |
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Multiply |
Makes colors darker by combining the blend color with the base color. Black stays black, while white has no effect. |
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Screen |
Makes colors lighter by combining lighter values. Black has no effect, while white turns the result white. |
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Overlay |
Mixes Multiply and Screen to keep highlights and shadows while blending colors. |
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Soft Light |
Lighten or darken colors gently, like a soft spotlight. Lighter blend colors brighten the image, while darker colors darken it. |
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Hard Light |
Creates a stronger light or dark effect, similar to a harsh spotlight. Pure black or white produces pure black or white. |
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Color Dodge |
Brightens the base color to reflect the blend color. Black has no effect. |
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Color Burn |
Darkens the base color to reflect the blend color. White has no effect. |
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Darken |
Keeps the darker color between the blend and base colors. |
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Lighten |
Keeps the lighter color between the blend and base colors. |
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Difference |
Creates contrast by subtracting one color from the other. White inverts colors, while black has no effect. |
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Exclusion |
Creates a lower-contrast effect similar to Difference. White inverts colors, while black has no effect. |
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Saturation |
Uses the hue of the blend color with the saturation and brightness of the base color. |
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Color |
Uses the hue and saturation of the blend color with the brightness of the base color. Useful for coloring grayscale artwork. |
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Luminosity |
Uses the brightness of the blend color with the hue and saturation of the base color. |
Note
Avoid using the Difference, Exclusion, Hue, Saturation, Color, or Luminosity blending modes on spot colors. These modes can create unexpected colors in your document.
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