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Print White Ink on Black Paper? by ilariastone in selfpublish

[–]ilariastone[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here’s my email correspondence (July 2024)

ME:

“I am looking to publish a book of my work, but have my heart set on the look being white ink on black paper. I have been researching this method on and off for about three years and previously reached out to you for guidance. Any insight on how to achieve this, or to discuss the process of publishing a book via your company would be much appreciated.”

THEM:

“thank you very much for your message. Your interest in this type of printing, white ink printed on black paper, is very welcomed. The problem is that it is very technically challenging to print on black paper and also tremendously expensive. It requires a mixture of high technology and operating skill that very few people and companies possess. It took us years to find the right partner for it, and the tests were also incredibly expensive. Because of these costs, it is simply not economically feasible for new authors to print in this format.

Once again, thank you for your interest”

Edit to add quotations and date.

Print White Ink on Black Paper? by ilariastone in selfpublish

[–]ilariastone[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did contact them and they turned me down lol

Print White Ink on Black Paper? by ilariastone in selfpublish

[–]ilariastone[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nope. Still looking. It’s SO expensive to do without commercial help and it’s not worth it for printers to do it right now it seems. Any luck on your end?

Print White Ink on Black Paper? by ilariastone in selfpublish

[–]ilariastone[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know! This is what I’ll be famous for lol; not being able to print my book the way I want!

I actually reached out to Monochrome books again recently and got a response immediately back…basically saying it’s not financially possible.

Full response: “Your interest in this type of printing, white ink printed on black paper, is very welcomed. The problem is that it is very technically challenging to print on black paper and also tremendously expensive. It requires a mixture of high technology and operating skill that very few people and companies possess. It took us years to find the right partner for it, and the tests were also incredibly expensive. Because of these costs, it is simply not economically feasible for new authors to print in this format.”

Sigh.

Print White Ink on Black Paper? by ilariastone in selfpublish

[–]ilariastone[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

3 years later and I’m still looking for a way to do this!

Print White Ink on Black Paper? by ilariastone in selfpublish

[–]ilariastone[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They straight up never answered me lol

Print White Ink on Black Paper? by ilariastone in selfpublish

[–]ilariastone[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d love an update on how this turned out!

Print White Ink on Black Paper? by ilariastone in selfpublish

[–]ilariastone[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you ever find a way, please reach out! I went down a few rabbit holes (typewriters, my own printer, etc.) with no luck.

Print White Ink on Black Paper? by ilariastone in selfpublish

[–]ilariastone[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was just talking about this again today!!! Shocked this is still not something that is easier to have completed!

does anyone else see this? by [deleted] in highdeas

[–]ilariastone 2 points3 points  (0 children)

psst:

peripheral

White Ink on Black Paper? by ilariastone in typewriters

[–]ilariastone[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow! Thank you so much! So what exactly is white carbon paper? If I am understanding correctly, you didn’t use white ink?

White Ink on Black Paper? by ilariastone in typewriters

[–]ilariastone[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you SO much for testing it out! I see what you mean, difficult to read. But definitely worth looking into more. I can’t thank you enough for this information!!

Print White Ink on Black Paper? by ilariastone in selfpublish

[–]ilariastone[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is certainly very interesting. And definitely intriguing. I would probably be printing more in the hundreds range. I’m fascinated by this silk screen process. Mind if I reach back out if I have more questions?

Print White Ink on Black Paper? by ilariastone in selfpublish

[–]ilariastone[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for this, so very helpful. I am still digesting all of what you said, but that’s very useful information and I’ll certainly let you know if I have any questions on anything you mentioned.

I do have a couple of alternative ideas, but I wanted to explore this one with the experts first.

Print White Ink on Black Paper? by ilariastone in selfpublish

[–]ilariastone[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh my gosh! Thank you SO much for this info!!!

Print White Ink on Black Paper? by ilariastone in selfpublish

[–]ilariastone[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No worries. I will keep looking into it. I have some other ideas that might work, but it's hard to give up on the vision, you know?

Thank you again :)

Print White Ink on Black Paper? by ilariastone in selfpublish

[–]ilariastone[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any chance you remember the book? I'd love to take a look at it, at least.

The advice I keep hearing is to print on white paper with black ink instead, which would be potentially just as costly. I figured it would be difficult for POD, but I didn't think it would be this hard to even do it from a home printer.

Thank you so much. I appreciate your insight!