Matsui 301W-B White | Ultra-Soft High-Mesh Water-Based White Ink for Cotton Screen Printing

Matsui 301W-B White — The Ultra-Soft Cotton Specialist

If you print on cotton t-shirts and the hand feel of the finished garment matters to your brand, your client, or your customer — 301W-B is the white ink that was made for you.

Every other white ink in the Matsui lineup is optimized for performance fabrics, stretch synthetics, or specialty substrates. 301W-B is the only Matsui white specifically engineered for what most screen print shops still print the most of: 100% cotton t-shirts. And it does one thing better than any other white ink in the system — it produces the softest possible print.

The secret is in the mesh. 301W-B prints through mesh counts up to 305/inch (120/cm) — the highest mesh capability of any Matsui white ink, period. Higher mesh means a thinner ink deposit. A thinner deposit means less material sitting on top of the fabric. Less material on the fabric means the print feels like part of the shirt instead of a stiff layer glued to the surface.

This is the fundamental engineering principle behind 301W-B: use the finest mesh possible to lay down the thinnest, softest white deposit that still delivers strong opacity.

For fashion brands, retail-quality decoration, direct-to-consumer t-shirt lines, and any application where the customer picks up the shirt and immediately feels the print — 301W-B delivers the hand feel that separates a premium product from a commodity one.

Where 301W-B Fits in the Matsui White Ink Lineup

Matsui makes nine different white inks. Each one is formulated for a specific combination of opacity, mesh range, substrate type, elasticity, and hand feel. The wrong white for your job means cracking, poor opacity, stiff prints, or wasted ink. Choosing the right white is the single most important ink decision in water-based screen printing.

Here is where 301W-B sits relative to every other Matsui white — and exactly when to choose it.

The Complete Matsui White Ink Comparison — Every White, Side by Side

301W-B White vs. Every Other Matsui White — The Decision That Matters

The question is not “which Matsui white is best.” The question is “what substrate am I printing on, and what does the finished print need to feel like?” 301W-B answers that question with one word: cotton.

Here is how 301W-B compares to the whites it is most commonly confused with.

301W-B White vs. EasyPrint White — Cotton Softness vs. Performance Stretch

This is the most important comparison because these two inks share a common trait — they both print through the highest mesh counts in the Matsui system. But they are built for completely different garment categories.

The bottom line: If the garment is cotton and hand feel is everything — reach for 301W-B. If the garment stretches and you need high-mesh detail on performance fabric — reach for EasyPrint White.

301W-B White vs. Stretch White — Cotton Softness vs. Performance Opacity

The bottom line: These inks serve completely different markets. 301W-B is for cotton. Stretch White is for performance fabrics. There is almost no overlap. If the garment stretches during wear, 301W-B is the wrong white.

Why Screen Printers Choose 301W-B White

“I print fashion-brand cotton t-shirts and the client rejects anything with a stiff hand.”
This is the core 301W-B use case. Fashion brands and retail-quality decorators need prints that feel like part of the garment, not a patch glued to the surface. 301W-B at 230-305 mesh produces the thinnest, softest white ink deposit achievable in screen printing — the print virtually disappears into the cotton fibers.

“I need a high-opacity white that prints through ultra-high mesh for maximum detail.”
301W-B clears mesh counts up to 305/inch — 80 threads per inch higher than the next-closest Matsui white (EasyPrint White at 225 mesh). This means you can hold finer halftone dots, thinner lines, and smaller text in white than with any other Matsui white ink.

“I need a mixing base to create soft, opaque pastel colors for cotton tees.”
301W-B doubles as a high-opacity white mixing base. Add up to 15% Matsui Neo Pigments to create custom pastel and tinted shades with vibrant, true color reproduction.

“I am transitioning from plastisol and need a water-based white that is easy to print on cotton.”
301W-B prints straight from the bucket. Its low viscosity and high-mesh capability make it forgiving on both manual and automatic presses. For shops switching from plastisol to water-based on cotton t-shirts, 301W-B is a natural starting point.

“My customer wants white prints on light-colored tees that you can barely feel.”
301W-B through 280-305 mesh creates a white deposit that is visible but barely perceptible to touch — the hallmark of a premium, retail-quality print.

Can I print 301W-B on polyester or blends?
Yes — but with an important step. 301W-B can be used on 50/50 blends and 100% polyester when you print an underbase blocker first, flash, then apply 301W-B on top. The underbase blocker prevents dye sublimation from the polyester migrating into the white print.

Matsui 301W-B White Key Features

• Highest Mesh Count of Any Matsui White — Prints through up to 305/inch (120/cm) for ultra-fine detail and the thinnest possible deposit.
• Ultra-Soft Hand Feel — The combination of ultra-high mesh and low-viscosity formulation produces a print that feels like part of the shirt.
• High Opacity Through Ultra-Fine Mesh — Bright, visible white even through 280–305 mesh screens.
• Premium Matte Finish — Smooth, subtle matte appearance that integrates naturally with cotton.
• Dual-Purpose: Direct White and Mixing Base — Use as a standalone white or mix with up to 15% Neo Pigments for custom pastels.
• Cotton-Optimized Formulation — Engineered for cotton fiber structure, absorbency, and softness.
• Prints Straight From the Bucket — No viscosity modification required for production-ready performance.
• Works on Blends/Poly With a Blocker — Use an underbase blocker first to prevent dye migration.
• Compatible with Standard Matsui Additives — Works with Retarder MG, Fixer WF-N, Softener MG, Thickener B, RV Additive, and Quick Additive.
• PVC-Free and Eco-Compliant — OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, CPSIA compliant, HR4040 compliant; free of PVC, phthalates, and co-solvents.

How to Print with 301W-B White

Screen Setup: Use mesh counts between 230–305/inch for maximum softness and fine detail. For higher opacity on light cotton, drop to 200–230 mesh for a slightly thicker deposit. The sweet spot for most cotton fashion work is 230–280 mesh.

Emulsion: Use a water-resistant direct photo stencil or solvent-soluble knife-cut stencil. Standard stencil thickness works well for 301W-B.

Printing: Print straight from the bucket with no viscosity modifications. Use a 60–80 durometer squeegee at approximately 45 degrees.

Light Cotton (Primary Use): On light-colored 100% cotton, print 301W-B directly with no underbase.

Polyester or Blends: Apply an underbase blocker first, flash, then print 301W-B on top.

Color Mixing: Add up to 15% Matsui Neo Pigments to create custom pastel, tinted, or Pantone-matched colors.

Curing: Cure at 320°F (160°C) for 2.5–3 minutes. Verify garment surface temperature with a probe or heat strips.

Contamination Warning: Mix 301W-B in clean vessels using clean mixing blades and utensils only. Any contamination from other ink sources or non-approved additives could cause the ink to test positive for restricted PVC substances.

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