Does illustrator show chokes on-screen?

i design product labels in illustrator, , have been 20 years, don't know illustrator. switched printing companies our labels.

 

last week made simple lip balm label prints on white stock. it's one-color blue flood bleeds, , outlined text reversed out in white - base color of label stock; white spec'd cmyk 0/0/0/0 in swatches panel.

 

our printer rejected file saying can't use white color because cmyk printer can't print white (obviously) , when sees cmyk white doesn't know it.

 

so same result without using white, cut outlined type out of blue (using pathfinder > minus back).

 

this gave effect wanted, but when printed type came out thin, choked. in fact, on-screen @ 100% 400% size (...lip balm labels not big) type looks choked. when enlarged 3200% , laid on top of each other comparison, type sizes identical.

 

so first, illustrator show chokes on-screen, or anomaly?

 

and second, suggestions can fix problem? suppose can stroke type make fatter before use pathfinder; or put 1% tint in white won't print still convince printer there's there. else?

please show.

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