Matsui 301C Clear Base — The Foundation of Custom Color on Cotton

Custom color work is where screen printing shops differentiate. Anyone can print a standard white. The shops that win premium clients are the ones that can mix an exact Pantone match, print it with a hand feel that disappears into the garment, and do it consistently across a thousand-piece run.

That capability starts with the mixing base. And for cotton-focused custom color work, the mixing base is Matsui 301C Clear.

301C Clear is the original high-mesh cotton mixing base in the Matsui system. It prints through mesh up to 305/inch (120/cm) — the same maximum as 301W-B White and 301M Matte — which means the thinnest possible ink deposit and the softest possible hand feel on cotton t-shirts. At 305 mesh, the ink film is so thin it integrates into the fabric rather than sitting on top of it. You can feel the print, but barely. That is what premium fashion decoration demands.

301C Clear is designed for light-colored cotton. That is its optimal substrate. It can be used on 50/50 blends and polyester, but those substrates require an underbase blocker printed first to prevent dye sublimation migration. For performance fabrics and stretch synthetics, Matsui makes dedicated clear bases (Stretch Clear, EasyPrint Clear) that are formulated for elasticity. 301C is formulated for softness on cotton — and on that substrate, it is unmatched.

How 301C Clear Works with Matsui Neo Pigments and Glow Pigments

301C Clear is not a standalone ink — it is the carrier that brings Matsui Neo Pigments and Glow Pigments to life on cotton garments. The mixing system works like this:

301C Clear Base + Neo Pigments = Custom Colors. Add up to 15% Matsui Neo Pigments (concentrated color pigments) to 301C Clear to create virtually any color in the Pantone spectrum. Standard mixing ratio is 5-10% pigment to base by weight. Matsui’s free cloud-based Color Mixer Software provides exact formulas — enter the Pantone number, get the pigment ratios, mix, print. No guesswork. No expensive software licenses. No test batches to dial in the color.

The Neo Pigment series includes a full spectrum of concentrated color pigments — reds, blues, greens, yellows, oranges, violets, blacks, and more — that intermix precisely for accurate Pantone matching. Because they are concentrated, a small amount of pigment goes a long way, which keeps your per-print ink cost low.

301C Clear Base + Glow Pigments = Fluorescent Neon Colors. For high-impact specialty applications, mix Matsui Glow Pigments into 301C Clear to create vivid fluorescent neon prints on cotton with the same ultra-soft hand feel. Important: Matsui Glow Pigments are fluorescent pigments — they produce ultra-bright, electric neon colors in normal daylight, not phosphorescent glow-in-the-dark effects. They do NOT glow on their own in the dark. However, fluorescent pigments are naturally UV/blacklight reactive — under blacklight (UV) illumination, they absorb the UV energy and re-emit it as intensely bright visible light, creating a dramatic neon glow effect. This makes them ideal for event merchandise, concert and festival apparel, nightclub and rave wear, party shirts, fun runs, youth events, and any application where garments will be worn under blacklight or UV lighting. Colors like fluorescent yellow, pink, orange, and green produce the most intense blacklight reaction. The 301C Clear base keeps the fluorescent print soft and comfortable — unlike many neon specialty inks that cure stiff and plasticky.

301C Clear Base Alone = Tone-on-Tone Effects. Print 301C Clear without any pigments for subtle, elegant clear overprint effects on colored garments. The print area changes texture and sheen without changing color — a technique favored by fashion brands, streetwear labels, and premium retail decorators.

This is the power of the Matsui mixing system: one clear base + an entire pigment library = unlimited color possibilities. Explore the full Matsui Neo Pigment and Glow Pigment collection here.

How Matsui Additives Improve Your Production with 301C Clear

The base and pigments create the color. Matsui additives optimize the production process — solving common water-based printing challenges that cost you time, money, and rejected garments.

The problem: Water-based ink dries in the screen during production pauses, forcing you to clean and re-flood. The additive solution: Retarder MG (1-5%) extends open time in the screen, giving you more working time between prints.

The problem: Prints fade or crack after repeated washing, especially on garments that see heavy laundry cycles. The additive solution: Fixer WF-N (1-5%) crosslinks the acrylic binder for dramatically improved wash fastness. Also lowers cure temperature to 300°F (150°C).

The problem: The ink sits on top of the cotton fibers instead of bonding into them, affecting adhesion and hand feel. The additive solution: Softener MG (1-4%) helps the ink penetrate deeper into the garment for better adhesion and an even softer hand feel.

The problem: You want all three benefits but do not want to measure and mix three separate additives. The additive solution: Quick Additive (6-9%) is a pre-balanced all-in-one blend of Retarder MG, Fixer WF-N, and Softener MG. One additive, one measurement, all three production benefits.

Additional additives for specialized needs: Thickener B (0.25-1%) increases viscosity for halftone dot control. RV Additive (1-3%) reduces viscosity for better flow and fabric penetration.

Browse the complete Matsui additive collection here.

Where 301C Clear Fits — Every Matsui Base, Side by Side

Matsui makes twelve different clear bases and mixing bases. Each one is designed to be mixed with Neo Pigments and Glow Pigments and enhanced with Matsui additives. The base you choose determines the substrate, mesh range, opacity, elasticity, and finish. The pigments determine the color. The additives optimize the process.

301C Clear occupies the foundation position — the original high-mesh cotton clear that everything else in the system builds from. It is the highest-mesh clear base in the entire Matsui lineup.

The Complete Matsui Water-Based Base & Clear Comparison — All 12 Bases, Side by Side

All acrylic bases above are compatible with the full Matsui Neo Pigment and Glow Pigment series and the complete Matsui additive lineup. Polyurethane 350 Series bases use Fixer V instead of Fixer WF-N.

301C Clear vs. EasyPrint Clear — Cotton Specialist vs. Performance Specialist

The bottom line: 301C Clear is for cotton. EasyPrint Clear is for performance fabrics. Both mix with the same Neo Pigments and Glow Pigments and use the same additives. 301C goes higher on mesh (305 vs. 225) for the thinnest possible deposit on cotton. EasyPrint Clear adds the elasticity that cotton-focused 301C does not have. Multi-substrate shops stock both.

Why Screen Printers Choose 301C Clear

“I mix custom Pantone colors for fashion brands on cotton tees.” This is the core 301C use case. Mix with up to 15% Matsui Neo Pigments using Matsui’s Color Mixer Software for exact Pantone formulas. The 305 mesh capability means the thinnest ink deposit and softest hand — which is what fashion brands require. The translucent base allows pigment colors to stay true without the milky shift that semi-opaque bases introduce. Add Fixer WF-N for garments that need to survive heavy wash cycles.

“I want the softest possible hand feel on my custom color prints.” Softness on cotton is a function of ink deposit thickness. Thinner deposit = softer print. 301C Clear at 305 mesh produces the thinnest clear ink deposit in the Matsui system — literally the softest prints achievable in textile screen printing. The print integrates into the cotton fibers rather than sitting on top of them. Add Softener MG for even deeper fiber penetration and improved hand feel.

“I want to create fluorescent neon prints on cotton that actually feel soft — and react under blacklight.” Mix Matsui Glow Pigments into 301C Clear for vivid fluorescent neon colors with a soft hand feel. These pigments produce ultra-bright neon shades in normal daylight and are naturally UV/blacklight reactive — under blacklight illumination, they absorb UV energy and re-emit it as an intensely bright neon glow. Perfect for concert tees, festival merch, fun run shirts, nightclub apparel, and any garment designed for UV-lit environments. 301C Clear’s high-mesh capability and ultra-soft formulation produce fluorescent prints that are dramatically softer than traditional neon specialty inks.

“I need a clear base for tone-on-tone and clear overprint effects.” Print 301C Clear alone (no pigments) on colored cotton for subtle tone-on-tone effects — the print area changes texture and sheen without changing color. This technique is popular in fashion, streetwear, and premium brand decoration where subtle, sophisticated design elements communicate quality.

“My water-based ink keeps drying in the screen during production.” This is a process problem, not an ink problem — and Matsui additives solve it. Add Retarder MG at 1-5% to extend open time and keep your ink flowing during production pauses and long runs. Or use Quick Additive at 6-9% for open time, wash fastness, and softness in one shot.

“I need to print custom colors on 50/50 blends and polyester occasionally.” 301C Clear works on blends and poly — but you must print an underbase blocker first to prevent dye sublimation migration. Print the blocker, flash, then print your 301C Clear + Neo Pigment color on top. For shops that primarily print performance fabrics, use Stretch Clear or EasyPrint Clear instead.

Key Features

• Highest Mesh Capability of Any Matsui Clear Base: Prints through mesh up to 305/inch (120/cm) — producing the thinnest ink deposit and softest hand feel achievable in textile screen printing.
• Premium Custom Color Creation with Neo Pigments: Mix with up to 15% Matsui Neo Pigments for vibrant, Pantone-accurate custom colors. Use Matsui’s cloud-based Color Mixer Software for exact formulas.
• Fluorescent Neon & Blacklight-Reactive Capability with Glow Pigments: Mix with Matsui Glow Pigments for vivid fluorescent neon colors that are naturally UV/blacklight reactive.
• Ultra-Soft Hand Feel on Cotton: At 305 mesh, the ink deposit is so thin it integrates into cotton fibers rather than sitting on top.
• Tone-on-Tone and Clear Effects: Use alone without pigments for elegant translucent effects on colored garments.
• Production-Optimized with Matsui Additives: Compatible with the full Matsui additive lineup.
• Translucent Appearance: Clear, transparent base allows Neo Pigment colors to remain true and vivid without milky dilution.
• Compatible with 50/50 Blends and Polyester: Usable on blends and polyester when paired with an appropriate underbase blocker.
• Zero Viscosity Modifications Required: Prints straight from the container on manual and automatic presses.
• PVC-Free and Eco-Compliant: OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, CPSIA compliant, HR4040 compliant. Free of PVC, phthalates, and co-solvents.

Recommended Additives for 301C Clear Production

Browse the complete Matsui additive collection here.