Matsui Alpha Series Dark Blue C | Ready-for-Use Water-Based and Dischargeable deep navy / dark blue Ink — Print Straight from the Bucket or Mix Custom Pantone® Colors Using Your Pantone Book — No Software Required
Matsui
Matsui Alpha Dark Blue C is a ready-for-use (RFU) water-based hybrid ink — a complete deep navy / dark blue ink that prints straight from the bucket with no base required. Print it as a spot deep navy / dark blue on light garments, or blend with other Alpha Series colors using your Pantone Formula Guide to match any Pantone® color — no software needed. Dual mode: water-based on light/medium garments (no activator), or dischargeable on dark 100% cotton with 3–8% Discharge Activator added. Part of the 17-color Alpha Series system. Mesh up to 230. Cure at 320°F. PVC-free. Ultra-soft hand feel.
✓Ready-for-Use — Print Straight from Bucket
✓No Base Needed
✓Pantone® Book Matching — No Software
✓Water-Based on Light Garments
✓Discharge on Dark 100% Cotton
✓Wet-on-Wet Capable
✓Mesh Up to 230
✓PVC-Free Formula
🚚 FREE Shipping on orders over $200|📦 In-Stock: Usually ships same or next business day|🏪 Free In-Store Pickup · San Antonio, TX
Price range: $29.99 through $2,174.99
Description
Alpha Dark Blue C — Deep navy / dark blue
Alpha Dark Blue C is a complete, ready-for-use deep navy / dark blue ink. Open the bucket and print — no base to mix, no software to run, no separate pigment calculations. Use it as a standalone spot color, or blend it with other Alpha Series colors following your Pantone Formula Guide to hit any Pantone® shade in the vicinity of deep navy / dark blue.
Key Features
🪣
Ready for Use — No Base
Alpha inks are complete inks — not pigment concentrates. Open the container and print. No base to stock, no pigment ratios to calculate.
📖
Pantone Book Matching
Blend with other Alpha colors using Pantone Formula Guide ratios. The formula is printed right in the book — no CMS software needed.
⚡
Dual Mode: WB + Discharge
Water-based on light garments (no activator). Add 3–8% Discharge Activator for soft-hand discharge on dark 100% cotton.
🌊
Wet-on-Wet Capable
Alpha inks support wet-on-wet printing for faster multicolor production without flashing between every color.
🧵
Ultra-Soft Hand Feel
Water-based chemistry produces prints dramatically softer than plastisol. Discharge mode embeds color into the cotton fiber itself.
✅
PVC-Free
Environmentally friendly formulation. Safe for OEKO-TEX® compliant production.
📖 How to Match a Pantone® Color — Alpha Series Method
- Customer selects a Pantone color (e.g., PMS 286 C) from the Pantone Formula Guide.
- Open the Guide to that Pantone code. The Alpha Series formula is printed right there — showing color ratios by weight.
- Follow those ratios using Alpha Series colors on a gram scale. Mix thoroughly.
- Print a test swatch on your actual garment. Fully cure.
- Compare cured swatch to the Pantone page. Minor adjustments may be needed for fabric vs. paper variation.
Note: Pantone book formulas are designed for ink on paper. Minor adjustments may be needed for fabric. Discharge colors shift during curing — always test before production.
Two Printing Modes
Mode 1 — Water-Based (Light Garments)
Print directly on white, ash, light-colored, or medium-colored cotton and cotton-poly blend garments. No activator needed. Cures soft with excellent hand feel.
Mode 2 — Discharge (Dark 100% Cotton)
Add 3–8% Discharge Activator by weight. 12-hour pot life. Discharge removes garment dye and replaces it with deep navy / dark blue — embedded in cotton fibers, zero surface buildup. 100% cotton + reactive dyes only.
Blending Alpha Dark Blue C with Other Alpha Colors
Deep navy / dark blue — covers the deep blue and navy range of the Pantone system. The darkest blue in the Alpha lineup, used for navy spot colors and as a darkening agent for lighter blues.
+ Reflex Blue C
→ full blue range from navy to vivid
+ Violet C
→ blue-violet and indigo
+ Black C
→ deepest navy and near-black
Alpha vs. Neo Pigments vs. Infinity — Which System?
| Feature | Alpha Series | Neo Pigments | Infinity Series |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Ready-for-use (RFU) complete ink. No base needed. | Pigment concentrates — MUST be mixed into a separate Matsui base. | Ready-for-use (RFU) complete ink. No base needed. |
| Color Matching | Pantone book formulas DIRECTLY — NO software required | CMS Software required for Pantone formulas | Pantone book formulas directly — no software required |
| Print from Bucket? | YES — each color is a printable spot color on its own | NO — pigment alone will not adhere to fabric | YES — each color is a printable spot color |
| Discharge Capable? | YES — add 3–8% activator for dark cotton | YES — when mixed into a discharge base + activator | NO — water-based only |
| Colors Available | 17 (15 colors + Spot Black + Trans White) | 21 (13 Neo + 8 Glow pigments) — requires separate bases | 15 colors |
| Mesh | Up to 230 | Up to 305+ (varies by base) | Up to 305+ |
| Best For | Fastest Pantone matching. No software. No base. WB + discharge. Simplest workflow. | Maximum base flexibility (20+ finishes). CMS precision. Highest mesh capability. | RFU water-based on lights. Book-formula mixing. Budget-friendly. |
Additives
| Additive | Dosage | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Discharge Activator | 3–8% | ⚠️ REQUIRED FOR DISCHARGE MODE. Enables discharge chemistry on dark 100% cotton. 12-hour pot life once added. Not needed for water-based mode. |
| Retarder MG | 1–3% | Extends open time — prevents ink drying in screen during longer runs. |
| Fixer WF-N | 1–3% | Improves wash fastness — crosslinks binder for laundry durability. |
| Softener MG | 1–5% | Improves fabric penetration and softens hand feel. |
| Fixer L | 1–3% | Low-cure option for electric dryers where 320°F is difficult to reach. |
| Quick Additive | 6–9% | All-in-one: Retarder MG + Fixer WF-N + Softener MG. One measurement, three benefits. Recommended for most jobs. |
⚠️ Discharge Activator — Required for Discharge Mode
Alpha Series inks will not discharge without the Discharge Activator — it is a required component, not optional. Add at 3–8% by weight to any Alpha color before printing on dark 100% cotton. 12-hour pot life once activated. Mix only what you need per session.
⚠️ Discharge Mode Rules — Alpha Series
- 100% cotton with reactive (dischargeable) dyes only. Polyester and synthetics do not discharge. On blends, only cotton threads discharge — creating a distressed look.
- Discharge Activator required at 3–8% by weight. No activator = no discharge.
- 12-hour pot life once activated. Mix only what you need per session.
- Colors shift during curing. The wet color in the bucket will NOT match the final cured result. Always fully cure test swatches before production comparison.
- Ventilation recommended during printing and curing.
- Water-resistant emulsions required (Chromaline CPTex or Hydro-X recommended).
- Pre-test everything. Discharge effectiveness varies by garment brand and dye lot.
🛡️ Dark Garment Blocker Guide (Water-Based Mode)
When printing on dark garments in water-based mode, print a white underbase with a blocker underneath to prevent dye migration:
- Level 1 — Under Base Blocker Gray: Dark cotton. Standard starting point.
- Level 2 — Under Base Blocker Black LG: Polyester and poly-blends with aggressive dye migration.
- Level 3 — Kombat Blocker: Sublimation-printed polyester only.
- No blocker needed: Light garments and discharge mode (discharge removes garment dye).
- 48-hour rule: Print, cure, wait 48 hours. If dye bleeds through, escalate to next blocker level.
💡 Discharge Note for Alpha Dark Blue C: Dark Blue C discharges on 100% cotton. Dark blues discharge to a clean navy on most reactive-dyed garments. Test swatches always recommended.
The Complete Alpha Series — All 17 Colors
Every color is RFU — print straight from the bucket or blend with any other Alpha color using your Pantone Formula Guide. Click any swatch to shop that color. Browse full Alpha category →
15 Spot Colors + Spot Black + Trans White — All Discharge CapableAdd Discharge Activator 3–8% for dark cotton
⚠️ Discharge Activator Required for Discharge Mode
Add at 3–8% by weight to any Alpha color for discharge printing on dark 100% cotton. 12-hr pot life. Mix only what you need per session.
Questions? We’re here to help.
Call us at (512) 454-0505 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm CT
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Matsui Alpha Series Dark Blue C |
| Pantone Reference | Dark Blue C |
| Type | Ready-for-use (RFU) water-based / dischargeable hybrid ink. No base needed. |
| Ink System | Matsui Alpha Series — 17-color RFU Pantone mixing system |
| SKU | Matsui Alpha Dark Blue |
| Color | Deep navy / dark blue |
| Color Matching | Pantone Formula Guide (book formulas directly, no software required) |
| Water-Based Mode | Print directly on light/medium garments. No activator needed. |
| Discharge Mode | Add 3–8% Discharge Activator for dark 100% cotton. 12-hour pot life once activated. 100% cotton + reactive dyes only. |
| Mesh | Up to 230/inch (90/cm) |
| Cure Temperature | 320°F (160°C) |
| Flash Temperature | 160°F (71°C) |
| Printing Method | Wet-on-wet capable |
| Substrates | Cotton, cotton-poly blends. Light, medium, dark fabrics. Discharge: 100% cotton only. |
| Viscosity | Ready for use — no modifications needed for standard production. |
| Emulsion | Water-resistant emulsions required (Chromaline CPTex or Hydro-X recommended) |
| Storage | 65°F to 95°F (18°C to 35°C). Avoid direct sunlight. |
| Cleanup | Water and mild soap/detergent |
| Formulation | PVC-free |
| ⚠️ Contamination Warning | Mix in clean vessels only. Contamination from other ink sources may cause positive PVC tests. |
| Available Sizes | Quart, Gallon, 5 Gallon, 30 Gallon |
| Technical Documents | MSDS / Safety Data Sheet |
Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is Alpha Dark Blue C good for navy spot colors?
Yes — Alpha Dark Blue C prints directly as a deep navy on light garments. On dark 100% cotton, add Discharge Activator for soft-hand navy discharge prints. It is one of the most frequently used spot colors in the Alpha lineup for team and corporate work.
Can Dark Blue + Black C make deeper navy?
Yes — adding a small amount of Black C to Dark Blue C deepens it toward near-black navy. Use Pantone Formula Guide for specific navy Pantone codes.
Do I need a separate base to print this ink?
NO. Alpha Series inks are ready-for-use (RFU) — complete inks that print directly from the container. No base, no pigment calculations, no mixing software. This is the key difference from Neo Pigments, which require a separate Matsui base.
How do I match a Pantone® color?
Open your Pantone Formula Guide to the desired Pantone code. The Alpha Series formula is printed right there — ratios by weight. Follow those ratios using Alpha colors and a gram scale. No software needed.
Can I print it on dark garments?
Yes — two ways. (1) Discharge mode: add 3–8% Discharge Activator and print on dark 100% cotton. (2) Water-based mode over white underbase: print a blocker + white underbase on the dark garment, then print this Alpha color on top.
Will the color shift during discharge curing?
Yes — discharge ink colors shift during curing. The wet color in the bucket will differ from the final cured result. Always print a test swatch, cure it fully, and compare to the Pantone page before production.
What mesh should I use?
Up to 230 mesh. For maximum detail at high mesh (200+), test ink flow first.
Is this ink safe for children’s garments?
Alpha Series inks are PVC-free. For RSL compliance on specific major brand garments, contact us with your requirements.
Questions? We’re here to help.
Call us at (512) 454-0505 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm CT
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