MATSUI DISCHARGE BASES & WHITE INKS
The softest prints physically possible in textile screen printing. Discharge chemistry removes the garment dye and replaces it with your color — embedded directly in the cotton fibers. Zero ink film. The garment feels exactly the same before and after printing. Choose Brite Base for bold designs, HM Base for fine detail, or 301DM for dual water-based and discharge capability. Mix with up to 15% Neo Pigments and use free CMS software to create any Pantone® discharge color. 100% cotton with reactive dyes only.
THE CHEMISTRY BEHIND THE SOFTEST PRINTS IN SCREEN PRINTING
Discharge ink does not sit ON TOP of the garment. The Discharge Activator triggers a reaction during curing that REMOVES the garment dye and deposits your color INTO the cotton fibers. The print IS the fabric. This is what premium retail brands specify.
Step 1: Choose Base + Add Color
Pick Brite Base (bold) or HM Base (detail). Add up to 15% Neo Pigments for custom Pantone colors via CMS software. Or use a discharge white for white-only prints.
Step 2: Add Discharge Activator
Mix 3-8% Discharge Activator by weight. Dissolve in water first. More activator = brighter result. You now have 12 hours to print.
Step 3: Print & Cure at 320°F
Print using water-resistant emulsion (Chromaline CPTex or Hydro-X). Cure at 320°F for 2-3 minutes. The activator removes garment dye and your color takes its place. Ventilation required.
� Discharge ONLY Works on 100% Cotton with Reactive Dyes
Will NOT discharge polyester, nylon, or synthetics. On blends, only cotton threads discharge. Different shirt brands discharge differently. Always test your specific shirt before production. Re-dyed garments may not discharge cleanly.
MATSUI DISCHARGE BASES — BRITE vs. HM vs. 301DM
Four discharge bases, each for different print requirements. All accept up to 15% Neo Pigments for Pantone colors. All require Activator (3-8%).
| Discharge Base | Type | Max Mesh | Best For | What It Does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discharge | 160 | Bold / Large Fills | Standard discharge base. Brightest colors, heaviest deposit. Mix with Neo Pigments + CMS for Pantone colors. Blend 50/50 with HM for higher mesh. Add 3-8% Activator. | |
| Discharge | 230 | Fine Detail / Halftones | Ultra-thin for high mesh. Maximum detail, minimum deposit. Softest discharge prints possible. Mix with Neo Pigments for Pantone colors. Add 3-8% Activator. | |
| Dual-Purpose | 160 | WB + Discharge | Two-in-one: water-based on lights WITHOUT activator, discharge on darks WITH activator. One product, both modes. Mix with Neo Pigments in either mode. | |
| Dual-Purpose | 160 | WB + Discharge | Two-in-one ink: water-based white on light garments WITHOUT activator, OR discharge white on dark 100% cotton WITH activator. One product for both. Mix with Neo Pigments in either mode. Streamlines inventory. |
Custom Pantone Discharge Colors with Neo Pigments
Add up to 15% Neo Pigments to any discharge base. Use free CMS software — select your base, enter the Pantone number, get exact pigment percentages. Add Activator AFTER mixing pigment into base. For fluorescent discharge, use Glow Pigments (up to 15%).
Pro tip: Brite Base = bolder colors. HM Base = softer tones with finer detail. Choose base before entering CMS formulas.
DISCHARGE WHITE INKS — BRIGHTNESS vs. SOFTNESS vs. DETAIL
Discharge whites remove garment dye and replace it with white pigment. Choose by brightness, mesh, and hand feel.
| White Ink | Type | Max Mesh | Best For | What It Does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bright White | 160 | Max Brightness | Brightest white in Matsui discharge. Maximum pigment for ultra-opaque white on dark cotton. Mix with Neo Pigments for pastel discharge shades. Add 3-8% Activator. | |
| Soft White | 305 | Fine Detail | High mesh discharge white. Thinnest consistency, finest detail, softest hand feel. 305 mesh for halftones and small text. Add 3-8% Activator. | |
| Pre-Mixed | 160 | Convenience | Pre-mixed 75/25 Brite White + Brite Base. Optimal brightness + softness from the container. No mixing needed. Add 3-8% Activator. |
DISCHARGE ACTIVATORS
Without activator, discharge base is just water-based ink. The activator triggers the dye-removal reaction. No activator = no discharge.
| Activator | Form | Dosage | Compatible With | What It Does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powder | 3-10% | Matsui, CCI, Allureglow | Multi-brand compatible. Add 3-10% (6% recommended). Dissolve in warm water first. Long pot life for high-volume production. Works with Matsui, CCI, and Allureglow discharge inks. |
MATSUI ADDITIVES FOR DISCHARGE PRINTING
Discharge ink dries faster and behaves differently than standard water-based. These additives solve the specific problems discharge printers encounter.
Quick Additive
Add 6-9% by weightWhat it does: Combines Retarder, Fixer, and Softener. Keeps discharge ink open on screen, improves wash fastness, and softens hand feel.
Start here. The default additive for discharge printing.
Retarder MG
Add 1-5% by weightWhat it does: Slows evaporation. Discharge inks dry FASTER than standard water-based — retarder is critical. Also make a mesh lubricant: 30% Softener + 70% water, wipe on ink side of mesh before printing.
Problem it solves: “My discharge ink dries in the screen between pulls.”
Fixer WF-N
Add 1-5% by weightWhat it does: Cross-links ink film for stronger wash fastness. Discharge prints can fade if undercured — Fixer provides insurance.
Problem it solves: “My discharge prints fade after washing.”
Softener MG
Add 1-5% by weightWhat it does: Improves ink penetration. Also use as mesh lubricant (30% Softener + 70% water) to prevent ink from sticking on mesh threads.
Problem it solves: “The discharge print feels stiff” or “ink closes in on my mesh.”
Discharge Activator
Add 3-8% by weight • REQUIREDWhat it does: Triggers the discharge reaction. Without it, discharge base will NOT remove garment dye. More activator = brighter result but slightly stiffer hand. 12-hour pot life once mixed.
Required for: EVERY discharge print. No activator = no discharge.
Thickener B
Add 0.25-1% by weightWhat it does: Increases viscosity. Useful when your discharge mix is too thin for your mesh count.
Problem it solves: “My discharge ink is too runny.”
RV Additive
Add 1-3% by weightWhat it does: Reduces viscosity. Helps ink flow through higher mesh counts.
Problem it solves: “My discharge ink won’t push through the screen.”
Mesh Lubricant Pro Tip
Mix 30% Matsui Softener MG with 70% water in a spray bottle. Before printing, apply on the ink side of your screen and wipe evenly over the image area. This lubricates the mesh threads and prevents discharge ink from drying and closing in on your image. Works like WD-40 for your screen. Essential for detailed discharge work.
DISCHARGE PRINTING — FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Brite Base prints through lower mesh (up to 160) with a heavier ink deposit for bold designs and large fills. HM Base prints through higher mesh (up to 230) for fine detail, halftones, and small text. Brite produces brighter colors; HM produces the softest hand feel. You can blend them 50/50 for a balance of both.
No. Discharge chemistry only removes reactive dyes from 100% cotton. Polyester dyes are not reactive and will not discharge. On cotton-poly blends, only the cotton threads discharge, creating a vintage/distressed appearance. For dark polyester, use the water-based underbase approach with blockers instead.
Add up to 15% Neo Pigments to your discharge base. Use the free Matsui CMS software for exact formulas. Select your discharge base, enter the Pantone number, and the software tells you which pigments and how much. Add Discharge Activator AFTER mixing pigment into base.
Water-resistant emulsion. Standard diazo emulsion will break down. We recommend Chromaline CPTex or Hydro-X. Post-expose screens in the sun after burning for maximum durability.
Add 1-5% Retarder MG. Keep screens flooded between pulls. Make a mesh lubricant (30% Softener MG + 70% water) and wipe on the ink side before printing. Add small amounts of fresh ink continuously during the run. Avoid long pauses.
12 hours. Once you add Discharge Activator, the chemistry starts degrading. Mix only what you will use within that window. Leftover activated ink cannot be saved or reactivated. Unactivated base and white have normal shelf life.
Increase Discharge Activator percentage (up to 8%). Check your cure temperature — must be 320°F for 2-3 minutes minimum. Test a different shirt brand — some garments discharge more completely than others. Use Brite Discharge White or Super 75 White for maximum brightness.
301DM is a dual-purpose base. Without activator, it works as a standard water-based ink on light garments. With activator, it becomes a discharge ink on dark cotton. One base for both applications. Ideal for shops that want to minimize inventory.
Yes. Do NOT stack shirts hot right out of the dryer. Discharge gas can transfer between stacked garments and cause discoloration. Use a cooling bar or fan at the end of your conveyor dryer, or make multiple small stacks to allow shirts to cool before stacking.
START PRINTING THE SOFTEST PRINTS POSSIBLE
Discharge bases, whites, and activators for the ultimate hand feel on dark 100% cotton. Mix with Neo Pigments for any Pantone color. Free CMS software. PVC-free. Free shipping over $200. Same-day shipping before 3:30 PM CT.