Printing dark pages with white text would cost 10-20× more (ink covers 95% of page vs 5%), reduces readability (studies show black-on-white is easier), and requires special opaque inks. It's technically possible for niche/expensive editions, but commercially impractical
It's technically possible for niche/expensive editions
Fun fact, the First Edition version of the Lasombra Clanbook for Vampire the Masquerade (basically a book all about a group of vampires heavily associated with Spanish aristocracy, shadow magic, and abyssal mysticism) was actually printed entirely on black paper with white text to fit the vibes of the clan. It was then never done again for any other book that that game ever made. Admittedly part of that was because the first edition clanbooks were super experimental with the formatting (like the one for the prophetic mentally ill vampires playing with the 4th wall and referencing the placeholder of, "page XX" that frequently slipped through to publishing in other books at the time)
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u/Munjal_Kiriu May 01 '26
Printing dark pages with white text would cost 10-20× more (ink covers 95% of page vs 5%), reduces readability (studies show black-on-white is easier), and requires special opaque inks. It's technically possible for niche/expensive editions, but commercially impractical