Matsui Alpha Trans White | Hybrid Ready-for-Use Water-Based & Discharge Ink — Print on Light Cotton as Water-Based OR Dark Cotton as Discharge with One Ink, No Software Needed
Matsui
Matsui Alpha Series Trans White C is a hybrid ready-for-use (RFU) ink that functions as BOTH a standard water-based ink on light garments AND a discharge ink on dark garments — by simply adding or not adding discharge activator (3-5%). Part of the innovative Alpha Series 15-color mixing system where every color is ready to print out of the container, intermixable with every other Alpha color, and matched directly to the Pantone Color Book — no software needed, no computer, no digital formula lookups. Just open the Pantone book, identify the colors in the formula, weigh and mix. Alpha Trans White is the translucent white of the system — medium opacity for soft layering, color adjustments, and translucent white effects. On light cotton: print as-is. On dark cotton: add 3-5% discharge activator. Prints through mesh up to 230/inch (90/cm). Matte finish. Uses Fixer WF-N (1-3%) for wash fastness. Cures at 320°F (160°C). Flash at 160°F (71°C). Works on cotton, blends, and polyester (with blocker). PVC-free.
Price range: $24.99 through $1,749.99
Description
Matsui Alpha Trans White — The No-Software Hybrid
The Alpha Series rethinks water-based printing from the ground up.
Traditional water-based color mixing: buy a clear base, buy concentrated pigments, open software on your computer, enter the Pantone code, read the formula, weigh each pigment to the gram, mix, test, adjust. It works — but it requires a computer, software, precision scales, and time.
The Alpha Series approach: open your physical Pantone Color Book. Find the Pantone formula. The formula tells you which Alpha colors to mix and in what proportions. Weigh and mix — done. Every Alpha color is premixed to specific Pantone-system proportions. The colors intermix directly according to the Pantone book’s own formulas. No software. No computer. No digital formula lookups. Just the book and the inks.
And every Alpha color — including Trans White — is dual-mode: water-based on lights, discharge on darks, activated with a simple 3-5% addition of discharge activator.
Trans White in the Alpha System
Alpha Trans White C is the translucent white in the 15-color Alpha mixing system. It is NOT a full-opacity white like Brite Discharge White. It is a medium-opacity translucent white — designed for:
- Color lightening. Add Trans White to any other Alpha color to lighten it — shifting a deep red toward pink, a navy toward light blue, a forest green toward mint. The translucent quality creates smooth, gradual lightening without the chalky, opaque look that a full-opacity white can produce.
- Soft layering and translucent effects. Print Trans White over a color for a milky, translucent veil effect. Or under a color for a softened, lightened foundation.
- Pantone formula component. Many Pantone formulas call for a translucent white — Trans White fills that role in the Alpha system.
- Standalone translucent white. Print Trans White by itself for a soft, matte, translucent white effect on colored garments.
The Hybrid Advantage — One Ink, Two Modes
On light cotton (no activator): Alpha Trans White functions as a standard water-based ink. It deposits color on the fabric surface. Print directly on white, cream, and light-colored garments.
On dark cotton (with 3-5% discharge activator): Alpha Trans White becomes a discharge ink. The activator enables the discharge chemistry — garment dye is removed and the Alpha color replaces it, embedded in the fibers with zero hand feel.
Every color in the Alpha Series works this way. The entire 15-color system flips between water-based and discharge mode with one variable: activator.
⚠️ The Discharge Rules (When Using Activator Mode)
- 100% cotton with reactive dyes ONLY. Discharge does not work on polyester or synthetics.
- 3-5% discharge activator for discharge mode. Without activator, functions as standard water-based only.
- 12-hour pot life once activated.
- Cure at 320°F (160°C). Extended dwell for discharge.
- Ventilation required. Discharge curing produces fumes.
- Test garment before production.
For polyester substrates (in water-based mode only), use with Under Base Blocker to prevent dye migration.
The Matsui Discharge Product Guide — All Seven Products Compared
| Product | Type | Color / Opacity | Max Mesh | Primary Use | Neo Pigments | Activator? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brite Discharge Base | Discharge mixing base | Clear / neutral | 305 | Brightest custom color discharge. | Up to 15% | YES (3-8%) | Brightest spot color discharge. |
| HM Discharge Base | Discharge mixing base | Clear / neutral | 305 | Halftone discharge colors. | Up to 15% | YES (3-8%) | Finest halftone detail. |
| 301DM Base | DUAL-PURPOSE | Clear / neutral | 160 | Water-based on lights OR discharge on darks. | Up to 15% | OPTIONAL | One base for light AND dark. |
| HM Discharge White | Premixed discharge white | Opaque white | 305 | Halftone white at 305 mesh. | Up to 15% (pastels) | YES (3-8%) | Softest halftone white. |
| Brite Discharge Super 75 | Pre-blended discharge white | Opaque white (75/25) | 160 | Economical pre-blended white. | Up to 15% (pastels) | YES (3-8%) | Budget bright white discharge. |
| Brite Discharge White | Discharge white — max brightness | Highest pigment load | 160 | Brightest spot white. | Up to 15% (pastels) | YES (3-8%) | Whitest white on dark cotton. |
| Alpha Trans White | HYBRID water-base/discharge | Translucent white — medium opacity | 230 | Alpha Series 15-color hybrid system. Water-based on lights, discharge on darks. Uses Pantone Color Book directly — no software. | Intermixes with all Alpha colors | OPTIONAL (3-5%) | Alpha system shops. Hybrid versatility. No-software Pantone matching. Color lightening. Translucent effects. |
Quick Decision Guide:
- Brightest custom COLORS → Brite Discharge Base + Neo Pigments
- Finest halftone COLOR detail → HM Discharge Base + Neo Pigments
- One base for light AND dark → 301DM Base
- Softest halftone WHITE at 305 mesh → HM Discharge White
- Brightest spot WHITE → Brite Discharge White
- Budget pre-blended WHITE → Brite Discharge Super 75
- No-software Pantone hybrid system → Alpha Trans White (+ all Alpha colors) ← YOU ARE HERE
Recommended Additives for Alpha Trans White Production
| Additive | Dosage | Production Problem It Solves |
|---|---|---|
| Discharge Activator (Matsui or Printers Choice) | 3-5% | ⚠️ ONLY for discharge mode on dark cotton. Omit entirely for standard water-based mode on light garments. Enables discharge chemistry. 12-hour pot life once added. NOTE: Alpha Series uses 3-5% (slightly lower range than Brite/HM system at 3-8%). |
| Retarder MG | 1-3% | Ink drying in the screen — extends wet ink open time. Essential for discharge mode. Recommended for water-based mode on long runs. |
| Fixer WF-N | 1-3% | Print fading after washing — crosslinks binder for improved wash fastness and color durability. Works in both water-based and discharge modes. |
| Softener MG | 1-4% | Ink needs better fabric penetration — in discharge mode, helps activated ink reach garment dye. In water-based mode, enhances hand feel and softness. |
| Thickener B | 0.25-1% | Ink too thin for consistent deposit — increases viscosity for better coverage and dot control. |
| RV Additive | 1-3% | Ink too thick for smooth printing — reduces viscosity for better flow through mesh. |
Note: The Alpha Series does NOT list Quick Additive compatibility in its specifications. Use Retarder MG and Fixer WF-N as separate additives at the lower dosage ranges shown above (1-3% each).
Pro tip — mesh lubricant (discharge mode): Mix 30% Softener MG + 70% water in a spray bottle. Wipe on the ink side of the mesh before printing.
Browse the complete Matsui additive collection here.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Matsui Alpha Series Trans White C |
| Type | Hybrid ready-for-use (RFU) water-based ink — functions as water-based (no activator) OR discharge (with 3-5% activator) |
| System | Alpha Series 15-color mixing system — uses Pantone Color Book directly, no software |
| Color | Translucent white — medium opacity. For color lightening, translucent layering, and Pantone formula component. |
| Opacity | Medium — NOT full-opacity like Brite Discharge White. Translucent by design. |
| Intermixing | Intermixes with all 15 Alpha Series colors according to Pantone Color Book formulas |
| Activator | OPTIONAL — 3-5% for discharge mode on dark cotton. Omit for standard water-based on lights. |
| Mesh | Up to 230/inch (90/cm) |
| Finish | Matte — equal to fabric printed |
| Flash | 160°F (71°C) |
| Cure | 320°F (160°C) |
| Substrates | Cotton, blends, polyester (with blocker). ⚠️ Discharge mode: 100% cotton reactive dyes only. |
| Wash Fastness | Fixer WF-N 1-3% |
| Formulation | PVC-free |
| Available Sizes | Quart, Gallon |
Benefits at a Glance
- Hybrid: water-based on light garments (no activator) OR discharge on dark cotton (3-5% activator)
- Part of the Alpha Series 15-color system — uses Pantone Color Book directly, NO SOFTWARE needed
- Translucent white for color lightening, soft layering, and Pantone formula mixing
- Ready-for-use out of the container — intermixes directly with all other Alpha colors
- Prints through mesh up to 230/inch — good for both spot and moderate halftone work
- Matte finish equal to the fabric surface
- Works on cotton, blends, and polyester (with blocker in water-based mode)
- ⚠️ Discharge mode: 100% cotton reactive dyes only. 3-5% activator. 12-hour pot life.
- PVC-free
Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Alpha Series and how is it different from the Brite/HM discharge system?
The Alpha Series is a 15-color ready-for-use hybrid system where every color is premixed, print-ready, and intermixable using the Pantone Color Book — NO SOFTWARE or digital formulas needed. The Brite/HM discharge system uses concentrated Neo Pigments mixed into clear bases with Matsui CMS software for Pantone matching. Alpha = simpler workflow, no software. Brite/HM = brighter discharge results, software-assisted precision.
Is Alpha Trans White the same as Brite Discharge White?
No — completely different products. Alpha Trans White is a TRANSLUCENT, medium-opacity white for color lightening and mixing within the Alpha system. Brite Discharge White is a FULL-OPACITY white with the highest pigment load for maximum brightness. If you need the whitest spot white on dark cotton, use Brite Discharge White. If you need a translucent white for the Alpha mixing system, use Alpha Trans White.
Do I need discharge activator?
Only for dark garments. On light cotton, print as-is (no activator). On dark cotton, add 3-5% discharge activator. 12-hour pot life once activated.
Can I mix Alpha Trans White with the Brite/HM discharge products or Neo Pigments?
Alpha Trans White is designed to intermix with the other Alpha Series colors according to the Pantone Color Book. It is not specifically designed for cross-system mixing with Neo Pigments or Brite/HM products. Stay within the Alpha system for best results.
What mesh should I use?
Up to 230/inch (90/cm).
What fabrics work?
Water-based mode: cotton, blends, polyester (with blocker). Discharge mode: ⚠️ 100% cotton with reactive dyes only.
How does Alpha Pantone matching work without software?
The 15 Alpha colors are formulated to correspond to the Pantone ink mixing system. Open the physical Pantone Color Book, find the formula for your target color, and it tells you which base colors to mix and in what proportions. The Alpha colors match those base color positions — so you mix directly from the book. No computer, no software, no digital lookups.
What additive do I use for wash fastness?
Fixer WF-N at 1-3%.
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