Matsui 4-Color Process Magenta | Ready-for-Use Water-Based CMYK process magenta Ink for Full-Color Photographic Screen Printing — Semi-Opaque, Soft Hand, PVC-Free — Print Through 305 Mesh

4-Color Process Magenta — The “M” in CMYK

Four-color process printing reproduces full-color photographic images using just four ink colors — Cyan (C), Magenta (M), Yellow (Y), and Black (K). Your artwork is separated into four halftone channels, each printed through its own screen at a specific angle. The overlapping halftone dots create the illusion of continuous color — thousands of perceived colors from just four inks.

Process Magenta is the red-pink channel in CMYK — it creates reds, pinks, purples (where magenta overlaps cyan), and warm flesh tones in photographic reproductions. Without magenta, images lose their warm-temperature tones, skin tones go gray-green, and reds become invisible.

In 4-color process work, magenta carries the critical skin tone and warm color information in portraiture, fashion photography, and any design with red, pink, or purple tones. On its own, Process Magenta is also a bright, clean magenta/hot pink spot color that can be used for single-color prints or blended with the other three process colors for custom shades.

Process Magenta is printed 3rd in the standard CMYK print sequence. The recommended screen angle for Process Magenta is 75°.

Ready for Use — No Base, No Mixing

Matsui 4-Color Process Magenta is a complete, ready-for-use ink from the Matsui Infinity RFU Color Series. Open the container and print. No separate base needed. No pigment mixing. No viscosity adjustments. Semi-opaque formulation — vibrant on white garments, excellent opacity over a white underbase on darks.

All four process colors can be mixed with each other for custom spot shades when not being used for CMYK process work.

The Standard CMYK Print Sequence

For best results, print the four process colors in this order:

1. Yellow — printed first. Lightest color, least visible misregistration.

2. Cyan — printed second.

3. Magenta — printed third.

4. Black — printed last. Adds contrast, depth, and shadow detail. Printed on top of all other colors.

Flash-cure between each color. Each layer must be dry to the touch before the next color is printed to prevent smudging and ensure proper color buildup.

Screen Setup for 4-Color Process

Mesh: 305 mesh for all four screens — this is the standard for 4-color process work. 305 mesh provides the fine dot resolution required for smooth halftone gradients. Lower mesh counts (230, 160) will produce visible dot patterns and lose shadow/highlight detail.

Screen angles: Each color is printed at a different angle to prevent moiré patterns (visible interference patterns caused by overlapping halftone grids). The angles above are the standard starting points — your RIP software or film output service may use slightly different angles depending on the halftone frequency (LPI).

On Light Garments — Direct Print

Print the CMYK separations directly on white or light-colored garments. No underbase needed on white. The semi-opaque ink provides vibrant, detailed halftone reproduction with an ultra-soft hand feel.

On Dark Garments — Over White Underbase

On dark garments, print a white underbase first (flash-cure it), then print the CMYK layers on top. Use Under Base Blocker Gray (dark cotton) or Under Base Blocker Black LG (dark polyester/blends) under the white to prevent dye migration. Or use a discharged white underbase on dark 100% cotton.

Recommended Additives

Pro tip for process work: Retarder MG is especially important for 4-color process printing. Fine halftone dots in high-mesh screens dry faster than solid fills — if the ink dries in the screen, you lose highlight detail and introduce artifacts. Use Retarder MG (1-5%) or Quick Additive (6-9%) to keep all four screens open during the entire run. Keep screens flooded between prints and add fresh ink frequently.

4-Color Process vs. Spot Color Printing

⚠️ Contamination Warning

Matsui Ready For Use process colors MUST be mixed and stored in clean vessels using clean mixing blades and utensils. Any contamination from other ink sources or non-approved additives could cause the ink to test positive for restricted PVCs.