Matsui Phantom Clear Disappearing Ink | Invisible Water-Activated Screen Printing Ink for Activewear and Gym Apparel
Matsui
Matsui Phantom Clear Disappearing Ink — Matsui Phantom Clear is a water-activated, disappearing ink that is virtually invisible when dry and becomes visible (translucent/clear wet-look) when exposed to moisture — sweat, water, or high humidity. It is designed as a specialty decorating technique for performance activewear, gym apparel, and athletic brands that want a ‘reveal’ element in their garment decoration.
Price range: $32.99 through $469.99
Description
Matsui Phantom Clear Disappearing Ink
Matsui Phantom Clear is a water-activated, disappearing ink that is virtually invisible when dry and becomes visible (translucent/clear wet-look) when exposed to moisture — sweat, water, or high humidity. It is designed as a specialty decorating technique for performance activewear, gym apparel, and athletic brands that want a ‘reveal’ element in their garment decoration.
What It Does
When to Use This Additive
For specialty activewear decoration — gym shirts, athletic jerseys, yoga wear, running gear. Works on light and dark garments. Print standalone as a clear ink. Can be used for full designs or as an accent element within a larger print.
The Complete Matsui Additive Lineup — All 13
Every water-based printing problem has an additive that fixes it. Here is the full lineup with dosages and what each solves:
| Additive | Dosage | What It Solves |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Additive | 6–9% | All-in-one: open time + wash fastness + soft hand. Best starting point for most jobs. |
| Retarder MG | 1–5% | Prevents ink drying in screen. Extends open time on press. |
| Fixer WF-N | 1–5% | Improves wash fastness. Lowers cure temp to 300°F (150°C). Most common fixer. |
| Softener MG | 1–4% | Improves fabric penetration. Softer hand feel and better adhesion. |
| RV Additive | 1–3% | Reduces viscosity without weakening resin. Better flow and fabric penetration. |
| Thickener B | 0.25–1% | Increases viscosity. Controls halftone dot spread. Fine-detail work. |
| Fixer L | 1–3% | Lowers cure temp to 250°F. For electric dryers or heat-sensitive fabrics. |
| Fixer V | 2–3% | ⚠️ For PU binder inks ONLY (Soft-Tex 350 series). NOT interchangeable with Fixer WF-N. |
| Retarder SP-1 / Flow | Varies | Improves flow of thick inks without reducing viscosity. For high-viscosity bases. |
| Emacol R-600-E | Varies | Long-bodied thickener for halftone dot retention. Alternative to Thickener B. |
| Puff Foaming Base HT | Varies | Creates 3D puff effect when flash-heated. Mix with any water-based ink. |
| Phantom Clear ← This Product | Standalone | Disappears when dry. Reappears when wet (sweat). For activewear specialty prints. |
| Discharge Activator | 3–8% | ⚠️ REQUIRED for discharge mode. Enables chemistry on dark 100% cotton. 12-hr pot life. |
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Matsui Phantom Clear Disappearing Water Based Ink |
| Product Code | WS0559 |
| Type | Water-resistant, moisture-activated clear screen printing ink |
| Ink Color | Clear / invisible when dry |
| Effect | Design appears when garment gets wet; disappears when dry |
| Activation | Water, perspiration, rain, humidity, or any moisture source |
| Repeatability | Unlimited – effect repeats every wet/dry cycle for the life of the garment |
| Mesh Count | 110-200 mesh (110-156 recommended for strongest effect) |
| Print Technique | Double print stroke required for maximum ink saturation |
| Cure Temperature | 320F (160C) |
| Dryer Dwell Time | 120 seconds (2 minutes), adjust based on dryer airflow |
| Flash Required | Only when printing alongside other designs; not needed for standalone prints |
| Viscosity Modification | None required – ready to print from the container |
| Hand Feel | Ultra-soft matte finish – virtually undetectable on fabric |
| Wash Durability | Durable through multiple machine washings |
| Dry Clean / Iron Safe | Yes |
| Best Garment Colors | Light to medium colors with high wet/dry contrast (heather gray, light blue, light green) |
| Fabric Compatibility | All colored fabrics that visibly darken when wet (cotton, blends, athletic fabrics) |
| Emulsion Required | Water/solvent-resistant emulsion (same as discharge or HSA inks) |
| Certifications | OEKO-TEX Standard 100, CPSIA, HR4040 |
| Formulation | PVC-free, non-toxic, environmentally safe, no formaldehyde, no organotin, no endocrine disruptors |
| Compatible Additives | Retarder MG (1-5%), Fixer WF-N (1-5%), Softener MG (1-4%), Thickener B (0.25-1%), RV Additive (1-3%) |
| Storage | 65F to 95F (18C to 35C). Avoid direct sunlight. |
| Cleanup | Water and mild soap or detergent |
| Available Sizes | Quart, Gallon, 5 Gallon |
Benefits at a Glance
- Create interactive apparel that reveals hidden designs when the wearer sweats, gets splashed, or jumps in the pool
- Invisible when dry with zero detectable hand feel – the garment looks and feels completely unprinted
- Repeatable moisture-activated effect that works every wet/dry cycle for the life of the garment
- Durable through multiple machine washings with no degradation of the water-resistant effect
- Opens a new premium product category for screen printers – interactive apparel commands higher prices than standard printed tees
- Perfect for gyms, fitness brands, water sports, pool parties, baptisms, promotional events, and novelty gifts
- Prints easily through standard mesh counts (110-200) with no viscosity modifications needed
- Ultra-soft matte finish that is softer than PVC inks and virtually undetectable on the garment
- Can be combined with Matsui Hydrochromic White for multi-layer interactive reveal effects
- PVC-free, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, CPSIA and HR4040 compliant for safe, sustainable printing
Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does Matsui Phantom Clear work?
Phantom Clear is a water-resistant clear ink.
When printed and fully cured on fabric, it creates an invisible moisture barrier. When the garment gets wet:
- Unprinted fabric absorbs water and darkens
- Phantom Clear areas repel moisture and stay the original shirt color
The contrast between wet (dark) and dry (light) fabric reveals the hidden design.
What activates the hidden design?
Any moisture source activates the effect, including:
- Perspiration from workouts
- Rain
- Splashed water
- Jumping in a pool
- High humidity
The design appears whenever the surrounding fabric becomes wet enough to darken.
Does the design disappear when the shirt dries?
Yes.
As the garment dries and returns to its original color, the contrast fades and the design becomes invisible again. This wet-to-dry cycle repeats indefinitely for the life of the garment.
What garment colors work best with Phantom Clear?
Phantom Clear performs best on light-to-medium colored fabrics that show strong wet/dry contrast.
Top recommendations:
- Heather gray (best overall)
- Light blue
- Light green
- Medium gray
Not recommended:
- White garments
- Very dark or black garments
These do not produce enough contrast for a visible reveal.
What mesh count should I use?
Recommended mesh range: 110–200
- 110–156 mesh – Best for strong ink deposit and dramatic reveal
- 156–200 mesh – Lighter deposit, more subtle effect
Lower mesh counts create a stronger water-resistant barrier and a more visible design.
Do I need a double print stroke?
Yes.
A double print stroke is strongly recommended to maximize:
- Ink saturation
- Fiber penetration
- Barrier strength
- Reveal visibility
Single-stroke printing may result in a weak or inconsistent effect.
What is the difference between Phantom Clear and Hydrochromic White?
They work in opposite ways:
Phantom Clear
- Invisible when dry
- Design appears when wet
Hydrochromic White
- Visible white when dry
- Disappears (turns transparent) when wet
Choose Phantom Clear for hidden reveal effects.
Choose Hydrochromic White for disappearing cover-up effects.
Can I print Phantom Clear on any fabric?
Phantom Clear works on fabrics that visibly darken when wet, including:
- 100% cotton
- Cotton/poly blends
- Many athletic fabrics
For best results, the ink must fully penetrate absorbent fibers.
Always test your garment first by wetting a section to confirm strong wet/dry contrast.
Is Phantom Clear wash durable?
Yes.
Phantom Clear is a fully curable water-based formula that withstands repeated machine washing when properly cured. The invisible print and moisture-resistant effect remain intact over the life of the garment.
Is Matsui Phantom Clear safe for children’s apparel?
Yes.
Phantom Clear is:
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
- CPSIA compliant
- HR4040 compliant
- PVC-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- Free of organotin and endocrine-disrupting substances
It meets safety standards for children’s products and major apparel brands.
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