Including stroke on text in subtract from front

[Warren374292776cw4]

I have text looking the way I want with an offset stroke to add a thick border in a different color. However, now I want to subtract the text, including the border stroke from a shape (I'm formatting the image into layers for UV printing). However I can't seem to get it to include the border stroke, it only subtracts the text itself. How can I get illustrator to include the stroke as part of the text object? I've included an image. I want to subtract the red text AND the white border from the black shape.

[Jacob Bugge]

Warren,

Always save and keep the original artwork before you start messing with it.

In this case you can:

1) Create a copy of the enhanced text (lock hide the original) and turn it all white or black, then place it as desired if not already,

2) Select everything and Make (Opacity) Mask with Clip unticked, and with Invert Mask ticked if white.

Make (Opacity) Mask is invoked in the Transparncy palette.

[Warren374292776cw4]

Thanks for your response. I can see what that accomplishes but it's not quite what I need. I need to be able to cut the text, including the stroke, out of the black shape, then I'll put the text with stroke on another layer, that's what the UV printer requires. I've done it with text tons of times, it's just the extra stroke on this text that is stumping me. I need it to treat the "enhanced text" as a shape, right to the edge of the outer stroke, but it just ignores the thicker stroke. Thanks.

[Jacob Bugge]

Warren,

In that case you can:

1) Create a copy of the enhanced text (lock hide the original), then Type>Create Outlines and Object>Expand, then in the Pathifinder palette use Unite, then ShiftClick the black path to also select that, then Pathfinder>Minu8s front;

2) Unlock ushow the original and move it to the front.

[Warren374292776cw4]

Yes!! Thank you so much, expand appearance was the command I was missing. Much appreciated!