Matsui Kombat Black | Premium Water-Based Black Ink for Halftone & Spot Printing on Performance & Stretch Fabrics — Meets Major Sports Apparel Standards

Matsui

Matsui Kombat Black
Matsui Kombat Black
Matsui Kombat Black
Matsui Kombat Black

Matsui Kombat Black (WB0629) is a premium water-based black ink engineered specifically for halftone and spot printing on performance and high-stretch fabrics — the dedicated black ink for athletic wear, Dri-Fit, team jerseys, and sports apparel. Where RC 301 Spot Black is the cotton specialist, Kombat Black is the performance fabric specialist — delivering deep, rich black with excellent elasticity and an extremely soft hand feel that meets the stringent requirements of major sports apparel manufacturers. Part of the Matsui Kombat system alongside Kombat White and Kombat Blocker. Designed for both halftone gradients and solid spot fills on stretch garments. Enhance production with Matsui additives — Softener MG (1-4%) for penetration, Thickener B (0.25-1%) for halftone dot control, RV Additive (1-3%) for flow. Can be dry cleaned and ironed. Requires zero viscosity modifications. Cures at 320°F (160°C). PVC-free. Environmentally safe.

Price range: $119.99 through $3,899.99

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Description

Matsui Kombat Black — The Performance Fabric Black

Every athletic apparel shop has two kinds of black printing: cotton tees and performance jerseys. They look like the same job. They are not.

Cotton black is straightforward. The fiber is natural, absorbent, and non-stretching. RC 301 Spot Black handles it at 305 mesh with the softest possible hand on cotton.

Performance black is a different challenge. The fabric stretches. It rebounds. It is synthetic. It wicks moisture. It is worn during athletic activity where the print is under constant mechanical stress — stretching, flexing, compressing, and bouncing back across hundreds of wash cycles. The black ink has to stay deep and saturated through all of it without cracking, fading, or separating from the fabric.

Kombat Black is designed for that challenge.

It is not a general-purpose black that happens to work on polyester. It is an ink engineered specifically for performance fabric printing — formulated to deliver excellent elasticity on Dri-Fit, high-stretch synthetics, and athletic garments while maintaining the deep, rich black that clients demand. The formulation meets the testing standards of major sports apparel manufacturers — the brands that specify the most rigorous wash fastness, stretch recovery, and color retention requirements in the industry.

The name says it: Kombat. Built for the most demanding applications in the most demanding environments. Halftone gradients that hold their dots through repeated stretch-and-wash cycles. Solid spot fills that stay deep black without graying or fading. On garments that are pushed harder, washed more frequently, and stretched further than casual wear ever will be.

The Kombat System — Black, White, and Blocker

Kombat Black is part of a purpose-built system designed for performance fabric printing.

Kombat White — the performance white with superior brightness, excellent elasticity, anti-foil stickiness, and the ability to mix with Neo Pigments for custom colors on stretch garments. This is the white underbase and color-mixing partner in the Kombat system.

Kombat Black — the performance black for deep, rich black halftone and spot printing on stretch fabrics with excellent fastness.

Kombat Blocker — the enhanced-formula dye sublimation blocker designed specifically for printing on sublimation-printed fabrics. It is particularly effective on the most aggressive dye migration situations.

Together, the three Kombat products form a complete system for performance fabric decoration: Kombat Blocker prevents dye migration on polyester, Kombat White provides the bright underbase or standalone white with stretch, and Kombat Black delivers the deep black for halftones and spot fills with stretch. All three are designed to work together on the same garment in the same print sequence.

Kombat Black vs. RC 301 Spot Black — Performance Black vs. Cotton Black

Matsui makes two dedicated ready-to-use black inks. They serve different substrates and different markets.

Spec Kombat Black (WB0629) RC 301 Spot Black (WB0312)
Designed For Performance and high-stretch fabrics — Dri-Fit, athletic wear, team jerseys, sports apparel Cotton and cotton/poly blends — fashion tees, retail apparel, and general production
Elasticity Excellent — stretch-rated for performance fabrics and built to flex and rebound without cracking Standard — not stretch-rated and primarily cotton-focused
Print Capability Halftone and spot printing on performance fabrics Halftone and spot printing on cotton, up to 305 mesh
Fastness Standard Meets requirements of major sports apparel manufacturers — the highest fastness tier Excellent wash fastness for cotton garments
System Part of the Kombat system — pairs with Kombat White and Kombat Blocker Part of the RC 301 system — pairs with standard 301 Series bases and whites
Max Mesh Performance-optimized mesh range Up to 305/inch (120/cm) for the softest cotton prints
Choose This When… The garment is performance or stretch — Dri-Fit, athletic wear, team wear, and sports apparel that needs black with elasticity and major-brand fastness The garment is cotton or cotton blend — fashion, retail, casual, and general production black

The simple decision: Cotton black → RC 301 Spot Black. Performance or stretch black → Kombat Black. Stock both to handle every substrate.

When and Why Major Sports Brands Specify Kombat-Level Performance

Major sports apparel manufacturers — the brands whose logos appear on professional and collegiate team uniforms — do not accept standard ink performance on their garments. They test to specific fastness standards.

Wash fastness testing: The print must maintain color density and adhesion through repeated industrial wash cycles. Athletic garments are washed more frequently and more aggressively than casual wear, often with hot water, strong detergents, and high tumble-dry heat. Kombat Black is formulated to survive this abuse.

Stretch recovery testing: The print must stretch with the garment and return to its original position without cracking, distortion, or separation. On compression garments and four-way stretch fabrics, the ink is under constant mechanical stress. Kombat Black’s elasticity is built for these conditions.

Color retention testing: The black must remain deep and saturated — not gray, faded, or washed-out — after extended wear and wash cycles. Kombat Black is formulated to maintain its rich black tone over the life of the garment.

These are the tests that standard black inks fail on performance fabrics. Kombat Black is formulated to pass them, which is why it exists as a separate product from RC 301 Spot Black.

How Matsui Additives Improve Your Production with Kombat Black

Kombat Black is production-ready from the container. Matsui additives optimize the production process further.

The problem: Ink sits on top of synthetic performance fibers instead of bonding in. The additive solution: Softener MG at 1–4% helps the ink penetrate deeper into the garment for better adhesion, improved stretch recovery, and an even softer hand feel.

The problem: Halftone dots spread or lose definition on performance fabrics. The additive solution: Thickener B at 0.25–1% increases viscosity for better dot control, which is especially important for halftone work on stretch garments.

The problem: Ink feels too thick for smooth flow on automatic presses. The additive solution: RV Additive at 1–3% reduces viscosity for better flow and fabric penetration.

Browse the complete Matsui additive collection here.

Why Screen Printers Choose Kombat Black

I print black on team jerseys, athletic wear, and performance Dri-Fit garments.

This is the core Kombat Black use case. It delivers deep, rich black with excellent elasticity so the print stretches and rebounds with the garment without cracking. It is built for the fastness requirements of major sports apparel brands, and the black stays black through repeated wash cycles.

I print detailed halftone graphics on performance fabrics.

Kombat Black is designed for both halftone and spot printing on stretch garments. The formulation helps maintain halftone dots on performance fabrics where standard blacks lose definition. Add Thickener B at 0.25–1% for tighter dot control on demanding halftone work.

My black ink cracks on stretch garments after washing.

Kombat Black is formulated with the elasticity required for performance fabrics. The ink flexes with the fabric and rebounds without cracking, separation, or distortion, even after repeated wash cycles on high-stretch garments.

I need the complete Kombat system for a dark polyester jersey job.

Print Kombat Blocker first to prevent dye migration, flash, then print Kombat White for white elements, flash again, then print Kombat Black for black elements, and cure. The three Kombat products are designed to work together on the same garment.

My current black works on cotton but fails on polyester performance garments.

That is exactly why Kombat Black exists. RC 301 Spot Black is designed for cotton and delivers the softest prints at high mesh on cotton garments. Kombat Black is designed for performance fabrics and delivers elasticity and fastness on stretch garments. Different substrates require different inks.

I supply printed garments to a major sports brand and need to pass their testing.

Kombat Black is formulated to meet the stringent requirements of major sports apparel manufacturers. Wash fastness, stretch recovery, and color retention are the standards that define professional-grade athletic decoration, and Kombat Black is built around those expectations.

Key Features

  • Designed for performance and high-stretch fabrics — the dedicated black ink for Dri-Fit, athletic wear, team jerseys, and sports apparel
  • Excellent elasticity — stretches and rebounds without cracking
  • Meets major sports apparel standards — formulated for stringent wash fastness, stretch recovery, and color retention
  • Halftone and spot printing capability — built for both detailed halftones and solid fills on performance fabrics
  • Deep, rich black — high-opacity formulation delivers bold, saturated black tones with excellent coverage
  • Extremely soft hand feel — water-based softness that PVC inks cannot match, even on stretch garments
  • Part of the Kombat system — pairs with Kombat White and Kombat Blocker
  • Production-optimized with Matsui additives — Softener MG, Thickener B, and RV Additive
  • Zero viscosity modifications required — prints from the container on manual and automatic presses
  • Garment care compatible — can be dry cleaned and ironed
  • PVC-free and eco-friendly — environmentally safe

Recommended Additives for Kombat Black Production

Additive Dosage Production Problem It Solves
Softener MG 1–4% Ink sitting on top of synthetic performance fibers — enhances penetration for better adhesion, improved stretch recovery, and softer hand feel
Thickener B 0.25–1% Halftone dots spreading or losing definition on stretch garments — increases viscosity for tighter dot control
RV Additive 1–3% Ink too thick for smooth flow on automatic presses — reduces viscosity for better flow and fabric penetration

Browse the complete Matsui additive collection here.

Technical Specifications

Specification Detail
Product Name Matsui Kombat Black
Product Code WB0629
Type Premium ready-to-use water-based black ink for halftone and spot printing on performance and high-stretch fabrics
Binder Chemistry Acrylic
Mixing Required NONE — premixed, ready to print from the container
Color Deep, rich, saturated black
Opacity High — excellent coverage and color density
Hand Feel Extremely soft — performance-grade softness on stretch garments
Elasticity Excellent — stretch-rated for performance fabrics. Flexes and rebounds without cracking.
Fastness Excellent — meets stringent requirements of major sports apparel manufacturers
Print Capability Halftone gradients AND solid spot fills on performance fabrics
Cure Temperature 320°F (160°C)
Primary Substrates Performance fabrics, Dri-Fit, high-stretch synthetics, athletic wear, team jerseys
System Part of the Kombat system: Kombat White + Kombat Black + Kombat Blocker
Cotton Counterpart RC 301 Spot Black — for cotton and cotton/poly blends
Additives Softener MG (1-4%), Thickener B (0.25-1%), RV Additive (1-3%)
Viscosity Modifications None required — prints from the container
Formulation PVC-free, environmentally safe
Ironing / Dry Cleaning Safe for both
Storage 65°F to 95°F (18°C to 35°C). Avoid direct sunlight.
Cleanup Water and mild soap or detergent
Available Sizes Quart, Gallon

Benefits at a Glance

  • The performance fabric black — designed specifically for halftone and spot printing on Dri-Fit, athletic, and stretch garments
  • Excellent elasticity — stretches and rebounds with the garment without cracking or separating
  • Meets stringent requirements of major sports apparel manufacturers — the highest fastness tier
  • Deep, rich, saturated black with excellent opacity and color density
  • Halftone AND spot capability on performance fabrics — detailed gradients and solid fills on stretch
  • Extremely soft hand feel on performance garments
  • Part of the Kombat system with Kombat White and Kombat Blocker
  • Production-optimized with Matsui additives — Softener MG for penetration, Thickener B for halftone dots
  • Ready to use — zero mixing, zero viscosity modifications
  • Can be dry cleaned and ironed
  • PVC-free and environmentally safe
  • The black ink that survives the demands of professional athletic garment decoration

Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents

Matsui Kombat Black Technical Data Sheet

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the difference between Kombat Black and RC 301 Spot Black?

They are designed for different substrates. Kombat Black is built for performance and high-stretch fabrics such as Dri-Fit, athletic wear, and team jerseys, with excellent elasticity and fastness that meets major sports apparel standards. RC 301 Spot Black is designed for cotton and cotton blends used in fashion, retail, and general production, with the softest hand at 305 mesh. Cotton black goes to Spot Black. Performance black goes to Kombat Black. Stock both.

Can I print halftones with Kombat Black on stretch garments?

Yes. Kombat Black is designed for both halftone and spot printing on performance fabrics. For tighter halftone dot control on stretch garments, add Thickener B at 0.25–1%.

What does “meets requirements of major sports apparel manufacturers” mean?

Major sports brands test screen-printed garments for wash fastness, stretch recovery, and color retention. That means the print must survive repeated industrial wash cycles, stretch with the garment and rebound without cracking, and keep the black deep and saturated instead of fading or graying out. Kombat Black is formulated to pass those kinds of tests.

What is the Kombat system?

It is a three-product system designed to work together on performance fabric: Kombat Blocker for dye migration control on polyester, Kombat White for a bright white with stretch and anti-foil performance, and Kombat Black for deep black with stretch. The blocker stops dye bleed. The white provides the underbase. The black handles the black elements.

Can I use Kombat Black on cotton?

Kombat Black will work on cotton, but it is optimized for performance fabrics. For cotton-specific jobs where maximum softness at 305 mesh is the priority, RC 301 Spot Black is the better choice.

Do I need a blocker on dark polyester?

Yes. Use Kombat Blocker, Blocker Gray, or Blocker Black LG as the first layer on dark polyester to prevent dye sublimation migration. Flash the blocker, then print Kombat Black on top.

What additives should I use with Kombat Black?

Use Softener MG at 1–4% for fabric penetration and a softer hand, Thickener B at 0.25–1% for halftone dot control, and RV Additive at 1–3% if the ink needs thinner flow. Browse all Matsui additives here.

Will Kombat Black crack on stretch garments after washing?

No. Kombat Black is formulated with excellent elasticity specifically for performance fabrics. The ink stretches with the garment and rebounds to its original position without cracking, even after repeated wash cycles on high-stretch garments.

Can I mix Kombat Black with other Matsui inks?

Kombat Black is a ready-to-use premixed black. It is not designed as a mixing base. For custom dark colors on performance fabrics, use bases such as Stretch Clear or EasyPrint Clear with Neo Pigments.

Can Kombat Black be dry cleaned and ironed?

Yes. Prints can be safely dry cleaned and ironed without compromising print quality.

Is Kombat Black safe?

Yes. Kombat Black is PVC-free and environmentally safe.

What print sequence should I use on a dark polyester jersey?

Kombat Blocker → flash → Kombat White for white elements → flash → Kombat Black for black elements → cure at 320°F (160°C). The Kombat system is designed to handle the complete job.

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