Matsui Kombat White | Brightest Standalone Water-Based White Ink for Performance Fabric Screen Printing

Matsui Kombat White — Maximum Brightness, Zero Compromise

When the job demands the boldest, brightest, most eye-catching white on a dark performance garment — and nothing less will do — Kombat White is the ink you reach for.

Every white ink involves tradeoffs. You can optimize for softness (Soft Stretch White). You can optimize for mesh range (EasyPrint White). You can optimize for substrate versatility (Simple White). Or you can optimize for one thing above all else: how white the white is.

That is what Kombat White does. It is engineered to produce the highest-brightness, most opaque white achievable in the Matsui acrylic water-based system. On dark performance fabrics — black Dri-Fit, navy polyester, dark stretch blends — Kombat White delivers a white that is visually louder, brighter, and more vivid than any other Matsui white ink printed under the same conditions.

But brightness is only half the story. Kombat White also carries a feature no other Matsui white ink has: built-in anti-foil stickiness. This prevents foil from accidentally adhering to the white ink during heat-press foil transfer processes. If your workflow involves both screen-printed white and foil application on the same garment — which is increasingly common in performance sportswear and fashion athletic wear — Kombat White eliminates the foil bleed problem at the ink level.

There is one critical rule: Kombat White is a top-layer ink. It is designed for direct printing and color mixing. It is not designed to be overprinted — do not use it as an underbase with color layers printed on top. If you need an underbase white for dark performance fabrics, use Stretch White instead.

Where Kombat White Fits — The Brightness Specialist

Matsui makes nine different white inks. Most of them are designed to balance multiple priorities — opacity, softness, mesh range, elasticity, substrate range. Kombat White is the one that says: brightness wins.

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

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

Kombat White vs. Stretch White — Maximum Brightness vs. Balanced Workhorse

This is the most common decision point. Both print on dark performance fabrics. Both deliver high opacity. But they are built around different priorities.

The bottom line: If the white needs to be the brightest, boldest element on the garment and you do not need to overprint colors on top of it — Kombat White wins. If you need a versatile white that works as both a standalone print and an underbase for multi-color work — Stretch White is the right choice. Many shops stock both: Kombat for standalone white jobs, Stretch White for multi-color builds.

Kombat White vs. EasyPrint White — Maximum Brightness vs. Maximum Detail

The bottom line: Kombat White is maximum brightness through 160 mesh. EasyPrint White is maximum detail through 225 mesh. If the design is bold and bright, Kombat. If the design is fine and detailed, EasyPrint.

Why Screen Printers Choose Kombat White

“I need the whitest possible white on black Dri-Fit — the kind of white that jumps off the garment.”
This is the signature Kombat White job. When your client’s design is a bold white graphic on dark performance fabric and the white needs to be the visual focal point — vivid, bright, and commanding — Kombat White is formulated for maximum whiteness.

“My workflow involves both screen-printed white and foil application on the same garment.”
Kombat White’s built-in anti-foil stickiness helps prevent foil from accidentally adhering to the white ink during heat-press foil transfers, reducing foil bleed in mixed-process workflows. If you need an added safety layer, use Foil Blocker.

“I print standalone white designs on dark jerseys and team uniforms — no overprinting, just bright white.”
When the design is white-only on dark fabric — player numbers, team names, single-color logos — Kombat White gives you maximum standalone brightness without needing underbase versatility.

“I use Stretch White as my main performance white but need something brighter for specific jobs.”
Use Stretch White for everyday underbases and multi-color builds. Pull Kombat White for standalone white jobs where maximum brightness matters.

“I want to create the brightest possible custom pastel colors on dark performance fabrics.”
Mix Kombat White with up to 15% Matsui Neo Pigments. Starting from a brighter white base yields more vivid tinted and pastel mixes.

“My current white looks washed out on dark synthetic garments.”
If your white looks dull on dark performance fabrics, you likely need a performance-optimized, high-brightness white. Kombat White is formulated to maximize whiteness on synthetics.

Matsui Kombat White Key Features

• Brightest Standalone White in the Matsui System — Maximum pigment loading for the highest visual brightness and opacity on dark performance garments.
• Built-In Anti-Foil Stickiness — Helps prevent unwanted foil adhesion during heat-press foil transfers in mixed screen-print + foil workflows.
• Excellent Elasticity for Performance Fabrics — Stretches and rebounds on Dri-Fit, athletic wear, compression garments, and high-stretch synthetics without cracking.
• Silky-Soft Hand Feel — Smooth, soft finish that is dramatically softer than plastisol/PVC whites on performance garments.
• Prints Through Mesh Up to 160/inch (63/cm) — Optimized for standard production mesh counts where high pigment transfer delivers maximum brightness.
• Dual-Purpose: Standalone White + Mixing Base — Use as a direct-print white or mix with up to 15% Neo Pigments for vivid custom tints and pastels.
• Top-Layer White (Not for Overprinting) — Designed as a final-layer white. For underbases and overprinting, use Stretch White.
• Zero Viscosity Modifications Required — Prints straight from the bucket on manual and automatic presses.
• Compatible with Matsui Acrylic 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; PVC-free, phthalate-free, and no co-solvents.

How to Print with Kombat White

Screen Setup: Use mesh counts up to 160/inch (63/cm). For maximum brightness and coverage on dark garments, use 110-156 mesh. For moderate detail with excellent brightness, use 156-160 mesh.

Emulsion: Use a water-resistant emulsion. Standard stencil thickness works well for Kombat White.

Printing: Print straight from the bucket with no viscosity modifications. Use a medium-hardness squeegee at approximately 45 degrees. Kombat White flows smoothly on both manual and automatic presses.

CRITICAL: Top-Layer White Only. Do not use Kombat White as an underbase. Do not overprint colors on top of Kombat White. It is designed as a standalone direct-print white and mixing base only. For multi-color builds requiring an underbase, use Stretch White.

Dark Polyester: For dark-colored polyester, print an Under Base Blocker or Kombat Blocker first, flash, then apply Kombat White on top. Kombat Blocker is enhanced for blocking dye migration on polyester and sublimation-printed fabrics.

Foil Process Garments: Kombat White’s anti-foil stickiness helps resist foil adhesion during heat-press foil transfers. Print and cure Kombat White areas, then run your foil process. If needed for extra insurance, apply Foil Blocker over the white areas.

Curing: Cure at 320°F (160°C). Verify garment surface temperature with a probe or heat strips. Full cure is essential for wash durability, hand feel, and anti-foil performance.

Contamination Warning: Mix Kombat White in clean vessels using clean mixing blades and utensils only. Contamination from other ink sources or non-approved additives may result in positive tests for restricted PVC substances.

Recommended Additives