Oh well. It totally makes sense not to print if they don't have to (likely saves on ink), just wasn't sure if that was an option. If they have to print something in the recess might as well.I seem to recall that's printed to within a few mm past the recess, but not all the way to the center - so there's white blank still remaining in the center of the chip.
I haven't murdered one of my custom chips yet to confirm, but that's what I remember seeing before.
Wonder if Sun-Fly would be willing to try that. Would probably increase the cost though...