Illustrator Newbie Problem Cutting Shapes from Traced Images

[ResidualHaunt]

Ok so I am just starting out with Illustrator and until I know how to make vectors from scratch I've been making due with the 'Image Trace' option for my logos. I do run into a problem though. If something within the image needs to be cut out to show as a transparency, just deleting the vector shape the Trace created wont give me that. The black lines I use to border my image ends up turning into a whole background shape in itself, so whatever black I delete, all the connecting black gets deleted as well. I want to know a way I can select, for instance, inside the lettering of the image above and cut out a shape to match the border around the rest of the lettering. I hope I'm making sense! I don't know any technical terms yet...The solution is probably obvious but I'm lost none-the-less. This would be a big help!

 

[ALB68]

Have you expanded the traced shapes? If not, do so. Delete then and add a stroke back to the object out of black. If you don't know how to do that, research it and learn how. Basic to using Ai.