Matsui Extender Base | Economy High-Mesh Water-Based Clear Mixing Base for Budget Color Printing & Tunnel-on-Tunnel Effects on Cotton
Matsui
Matsui WB0010 Extender Base is a high-mesh economy clear mixing base ideal for creating vibrant, durable prints on cotton and blended fabrics. Translucent appearance — use alone for elegant tone-on-tone clear effects, or mix with Neo Pigments up to 10% for custom colors with an exceptionally soft hand feel. Prints through mesh up to 305/inch (120/cm). Also produces unique tunnel-on-tunnel effects when overprinted on a cured clear base. PVC-free, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 compliant. The economy clear mixing base in the Matsui system.
Price range: $59.99 through $1,099.99
Description
Economy Clear Mixing Base — 305 Mesh. Tone-on-Tone. Ultra-Soft.
Matsui Extender Base is the value-positioned clear mixing base in the Matsui system. At 305 mesh it delivers the same high-mesh capability as 301C Clear at a more economical price point. Tone-on-tone effects, clear overprints, and tunnel-on-tunnel layering — all from one base.
Prints through mesh up to 305/inch for minimal ink deposit and ultra-soft hand feel — the same high-mesh capability as the premium 301C Clear but at a more economical price point for shops where budget is the primary consideration.
Use Extender Base alone on light garments for elegant clear tone-on-tone effects. The translucent print area creates a subtle sheen and texture variation without altering the garment color.
Mix with Matsui Neo Pigments at up to 10% by weight for soft, custom colors. Lower pigment loading than 301C Clear (10% vs 15%) — suitable for light pastel and medium-saturation colors.
Print Extender Base on a cured clear base layer for a unique double-clear layering effect — the overprinted area has a subtly different texture and translucence than the first clear layer beneath it. A specialty decorative technique.
Maintains consistent viscosity without modifications on both manual and automatic presses. Add Matsui additives for specific production requirements.
PVC-free, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, CPSIA and HR4040 compliant.
Best Use Cases
When the job requires Matsui-quality hand feel and Neo Pigment colors but the price point makes the premium 301C Clear unnecessary, Extender Base delivers the same mesh capability at a lower cost.
Clear overprints on light or white cotton for a subtle, sophisticated texture effect without changing the garment color. Popular in fashion and luxury retail decoration.
Mix Neo Pigments at lower concentrations (3-8%) for soft, pastel custom colors with an exceptionally light hand feel at fine mesh counts.
Creative layering effects for premium garments where a two-clear system creates visual depth and subtle texture variation in the print.
Compatible Matsui Additives
All additives below are compatible. Do not exceed 15% total additives by weight. PVC-free, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified.
| Additive | Dose | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Additive | 6-9% | All-in-one: open time + hand feel + wash fastness + dot retention |
| Retarder MG | 1-5% | Extends screen open time — prevents ink drying in mesh |
| Fixer WF-N | 1-5% | Wash & crock fastness crosslinker — no pot life — meets all RSLs |
| Softener MG | 1-4% | Soft hand feel — improved fabric penetration and elasticity |
| Thickener B | 0.25-1% | Raises viscosity — halftone dot retention |
| RV Additive | 1-3% | Reduces viscosity — better than water for thinning |
Pro Tips & Critical Notes
Extender Base is rated for up to 10% Neo Pigments — slightly lower than the 15% maximum of 301C Clear. For highly saturated or dark colors, use 301C Clear instead.
Like 301C Clear, Extender Base is translucent. It will not provide coverage or opacity on colored or dark garments.
The tunnel-on-tunnel layering effect varies significantly by fabric and curing conditions. Always test on the actual production garment and ensure the first clear layer is fully cured before overprinting.
Technical Specifications
Matsui WB0010 Extender Base — Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value / Detail |
|---|---|
| SKU | WB0010 |
| Product Type | Economy high-mesh clear mixing base |
| Appearance | Translucent |
| Max Mesh | 305/inch (120/cm) |
| Cure Temperature | 320F (160C) |
| Viscosity Modifications | None required |
| Neo Pigment Mix Rate | Up to 10% by weight (lower than 301C’s 15%) |
| Fabric Compatibility | Cotton and cotton/poly blends — light/white fabrics for clear effects |
| Tunnel-on-Tunnel | Yes — overprint on a cured clear layer for specialty layering effect |
| Compliance | OEKO-TEX Standard 100, CPSIA, HR4040, PVC-free |
Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What pigments do I mix with Extender Base to create custom colors?
Mix Extender Base with up to 10% Matsui Neo Pigments — concentrated color pigments covering the full Pantone spectrum. Standard mixing ratio is 5–10% pigment to base by weight. For fluorescent neon effects, use Matsui Glow Pigments. Note: Extender Base maxes at 10% pigment — for formulas requiring 11–15%, use 301C Clear.
What is the difference between Extender Base and 301C Clear?
Same mesh range (305), same substrate (cotton), same additive compatibility. Two differences: pigment loading (Extender Base maxes at 10%, 301C Clear goes to 15%) and price (Extender Base is the economy option). For standard color work at 5–10% pigment, Extender Base delivers equivalent results at lower cost. For the most saturated formulas above 10%, upgrade to 301C Clear.
What is the tunnel-on-tunnel effect?
Print Extender Base alone — without pigments — on the garment. The translucent clear creates a subtle textural and visual layering effect with superb softness. The print area has a different texture and sheen than the unprinted garment, creating dimension without color. This technique is popular for fashion-forward decoration and subtle branding on light-colored garments.
Can I create fluorescent neon and blacklight-reactive prints with Extender Base?
Yes. Mix Matsui Glow Pigments into Extender Base for budget-friendly fluorescent neon colors. Important: Glow Pigments are fluorescent pigments — ultra-bright neon in normal daylight, NOT phosphorescent glow-in-the-dark. They do not glow on their own in the dark. However, they are naturally UV/blacklight reactive — under blacklight, they absorb UV energy and re-emit intensely bright visible light. Fluorescent yellow, pink, orange, and green produce the strongest reaction.
Can I use Extender Base to thin down pigmented inks?
Yes — Extender Base is designed for ink extending. Use it to increase the volume of pigmented Matsui inks while maintaining binder integrity, adhesion, and softness. This is better than adding water, which thins the binder and can compromise wash fastness and adhesion.
What additives should I use with Extender Base?
For most jobs, use Quick Additive at 6–9%. For individual control, use Retarder MG (1–5%), Fixer WF-N (1–5%), and Softener MG (1–4%). Browse all Matsui additives here.
Can I use Extender Base on performance fabrics?
Extender Base is not stretch-rated — it is designed for cotton. For performance and stretch fabrics, use Stretch Clear (150–180 mesh) or EasyPrint Clear (225 mesh). For a budget multi-substrate option that includes stretch, use Simple Clear at 160 mesh.
Can I use Extender Base on polyester?
Yes, but print an underbase blocker first to prevent dye sublimation migration. Print the blocker, flash, then apply your Extender Base + Neo Pigment color on top.
What mesh count should I use with Extender Base?
Use mesh up to 305/inch (120/cm). For the softest hand feel and thinnest deposit, use 280–305 mesh. For standard cotton work with good color saturation, use 230–280 mesh.
What is the difference between Extender Base and Simple Clear?
Different economy strategies. Extender Base is the cotton economy specialist — 305 mesh for the softest deposit on cotton, not stretch-rated, up to 10% pigment. Simple Clear is the multi-substrate economy generalist — 160 mesh with excellent stretch, works on cotton AND performance fabrics, up to 15% pigment. Choose Extender Base for cotton-only at high mesh. Choose Simple Clear for multi-substrate versatility.
Do all Matsui bases work with Neo Pigments?
Yes — every acrylic Matsui base is designed to mix with Matsui Neo Pigments and Glow Pigments. Extender Base accepts up to 10%. Most other bases accept up to 15%. The base determines substrate, mesh range, and finish. The pigments determine the color. The additives optimize the process.
Which Matsui bases require a blocker on polyester?
All of them. Every Matsui clear and mixing base requires a blocker on polyester to prevent dye sublimation migration. The acrylic bases use Under Base Blocker or Kombat Blocker. The polyurethane 350 Series uses Under Base Blocker 350. Always test before production.
Is Extender Base safe for children’s clothing?
Yes. Extender Base is PVC-free and environmentally safe.
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