Matsui Alpha Series Dark Blue C | Ready-for-Use Water-Based and Dischargeable deep navy / dark blue Ink — Print Straight from the Bucket or Mix Custom Pantone® Colors Using Your Pantone Book — No Software Required

Matsui

Matsui Alpha Dark Blue C
Matsui Alpha Dark Blue C

Matsui Alpha Series Dark Blue C is a ready-for-use (RFU) water-based hybrid ink that can be printed straight from the bucket as a deep navy / dark blue spot color OR blended with other Alpha Series colors to create custom Pantone®-matched shades — using your Pantone Formula Guide directly, no software required. Dual-mode ink: water-based on light garments, dischargeable on dark 100% cotton when activated with 3-8% Discharge Activator. No separate base needed — Alpha IS the complete ink. Part of the 15-color Alpha Series mixing system. Prints through mesh up to 230. Cure at 320°F (160°C). Flash at 160°F. Wet-on-wet capable. Cotton and cotton-poly blends. Light, medium, and dark fabrics. PVC-free. Ultra-soft hand feel.

Price range: $29.99 through $2,174.99

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SKU: Matsui Alpha Dark Blue-C Category: Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Description

Alpha Series Dark Blue C — Ready for Use, No Base, No Software

Alpha Series Dark Blue C is a complete ink. Open the container and print.

Unlike Neo Pigments (which are pigment concentrates that MUST be mixed into a separate base), Alpha Dark Blue C is a ready-for-use ink that requires no base, no mixing software, and no pigment calculations. Print it straight from the bucket as a deep navy / dark blue spot color, or blend it with other Alpha colors following the formulas printed directly in your Pantone Formula Guide.

Alpha Dark Blue C is the deepest blue in the Alpha system — a true navy that anchors the blue family. Use as a spot navy or blend with Reflex Blue C for medium-dark blues. Blend with Violet C for midnight indigo. Add Black C for near-black navy. Add Trans White C for dusty blue and slate pastels.

Two Modes — Water-Based on Lights, Discharge on Darks

Mode 1: Water-based on light and medium garments. Print Alpha Dark Blue C directly on white, ash, light-colored, or medium-colored cotton and cotton-poly blend garments. No activator needed. The ink deposits color on the fabric surface with an ultra-soft hand feel.

Mode 2: Discharge on dark 100% cotton. Add 3-8% Matsui or Printers Choice Discharge Activator by weight. The discharge chemistry removes the garment dye and replaces it with the Alpha color — embedded in the cotton fibers with zero surface buildup. 12-hour pot life once activated. 100% cotton with dischargeable (reactive) dyes only.

On dark garments WITHOUT discharge: Print over a white underbase. Use Under Base Blocker Gray (dark cotton) or Under Base Blocker Black LG (dark polyester/blends) under the white to prevent dye migration. Or print two hits with a flash in between.

How to Match Pantone® Colors — Book Formulas, No Software

Step 1: Customer selects a Pantone color from the Pantone Formula Guide.

Step 2: Open the book to the selected color. The formula is printed right there — showing pigment ratios by weight.

Step 3: Follow those ratios using Alpha Series colors. Weigh on a gram scale. Mix thoroughly.

Step 4: Print a test swatch on your actual garment. Compare to the Pantone page. Adjust if needed.

Important: Pantone book formulas are designed for ink on paper. Minor adjustments may be required for an exact visual match on fabric. Discharge ink colors shift upon complete curing — the wet color may differ from the final cured result. Always test before production.

Recommended Additives

Additive Dosage Production Problem It Solves
Discharge Activator (Matsui or Printers Choice) 3-8% ⚠️ REQUIRED FOR DISCHARGE MODE ONLY — enables discharge on dark 100% cotton. 12-hour pot life. Not needed on light garments.
Retarder MG 1-3% Ink drying in the screen — extends open time.
Fixer WF-N 1-3% Improved wash fastness.
Softener MG 1-5% Better fabric penetration and softer hand feel.
Fixer L 1-3% Low-curing fabrics or electric dryers.
Quick Additive 6-9% All-in-one — Retarder MG + Fixer WF-N + Softener MG. One additive, three benefits. Recommended for most jobs.

Browse the complete Matsui additive collection here.

Blocker Guide for Dark Garments (Water-Based Mode)

Level 1 — Under Base Blocker Gray: Dark cotton. Default starting point.

Level 2 — Under Base Blocker Black LG: Polyester, poly-blends, aggressive dye migration.

Level 3 — Kombat Blocker: Sublimation-printed polyester.

No blocker needed: Light garments and discharge mode.

48-hour test rule: Print, cure fully, wait 48 hours. If dye bleeds through, escalate blocker level.

⚠️ Discharge Rules — Alpha Series

100% cotton with dischargeable (reactive) dyes only. Does not discharge polyester or synthetics. On blends, only cotton threads discharge.

Discharge Activator required (3-8%). No activator = no discharge.

12-hour pot life once activated. Mix only what you need.

Cure at 320°F (160°C). Colors shift during curing — test fully cured swatches before production.

Ventilation recommended.

Water-resistant emulsions required. Chromaline CPTex or Hydro-X recommended.

The Full Alpha Series Family — 15 Colors

Alpha Color Role
Yellow 012 C Primary yellow.
Orange 021 C Primary orange.
Warm Red C Warm, orange-leaning red.
Red 032 C True primary red.
Rubine Red C Cool, blue-leaning red / crimson.
Rhodamine Red C Bright pink-red / magenta.
Purple C Primary purple.
Medium Purple C Mid-tone purple.
Violet C Deep blue-violet.
Dark Blue C (THIS PRODUCT) Deep navy / dark blue.
Reflex Blue C Vivid blue. Common in corporate branding.
Process Blue C Cyan / process blue.
Green C Primary green.
Black C Mixing black / dark gray. Darkens other colors.
Spot Black C Opaque spot black for solid black prints.
Trans White C Translucent white. Lightens and pastelizes other Alpha colors.

Browse the complete Matsui Alpha Series collection here.

⚠️ Critical Contamination Warning

Alpha Series inks MUST be mixed in clean vessels using clean mixing blades and utensils. Any contamination from other ink sources or non-approved additives could cause Alpha inks to test positive for restricted PVCs.

Technical Specifications

Technical Specifications

Specification Detail
Product Name Matsui Alpha Series Dark Blue C
Type Ready-for-use (RFU) water-based / dischargeable hybrid ink. No base needed.
Ink System Matsui Alpha Series — 15-color RFU Pantone mixing system
Color Dark Blue C
Color Matching Pantone Formula Guide — book formulas directly. No software required.
Water-Based Mode Print directly on light/medium garments. No activator needed.
Discharge Mode Add 3-8% Discharge Activator for dark 100% cotton. 12-hour pot life.
Mesh Up to 230
Cure 320°F (160°C)
Flash 160°F
Printing Method Wet-on-wet capable
Substrates Cotton, cotton-poly blends. Light, medium, dark. Discharge: 100% cotton only.
Viscosity Ready for use — no modifications needed.
Emulsions Water-resistant (Chromaline CPTex or Hydro-X)
Storage 65°F to 95°F (18°C to 35°C). Avoid direct sunlight.
Cleanup Water and mild soap/detergent
Formulation PVC-free
⚠️ Contamination Mix in clean vessels only. Contamination may cause positive PVC tests.

Benefits at a Glance

  • Ready-for-use — print straight from the bucket, no base needed.
  • Blend with other Alpha colors using Pantone Formula Guide ratios — no software required.
  • Dual-mode: water-based on lights, discharge on dark 100% cotton (add activator).
  • Wet-on-wet capable.
  • Mesh up to 230.
  • Ultra-soft hand feel.
  • PVC-free.

Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents

Matsui Alpha Technical Sheet

Matsui Alpha Safety Data Sheet

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need a separate base to print Alpha Dark Blue C?

NO. Alpha Series inks are ready-for-use (RFU) — complete inks that print directly from the container. No base, no pigment calculations, no mixing software.

How do I match a Pantone® color?

Open your Pantone Formula Guide to the desired color. Follow the printed formula using Alpha Series colors and a gram scale. No software needed.

Can I print it on dark garments?

Yes, two ways: (1) Discharge mode — add 3-8% Discharge Activator on dark 100% cotton. (2) Water-based over white underbase with appropriate blocker on any dark fabric.

Can I blend it with other Alpha colors?

Yes — all 15 Alpha colors can be blended in any combination. Dark Blue C is the anchor navy in the Alpha system — essential for dark blue, navy, and midnight Pantone formulas.

What is the difference between Alpha and Neo Pigments?

Neo Pigments are concentrates that must be mixed into a separate base and require CMS software. Alpha Series are complete ready-for-use inks that use Pantone book formulas directly — no base, no software. Neo offers more base flexibility. Alpha offers simplicity and speed.

Does it need discharge activator on light garments?

No. On light garments, Alpha prints as standard water-based ink — no activator needed. Activator is only for discharge mode on dark 100% cotton.

What mesh should I use?

Up to 230 mesh.

What additives should I use?

Use Quick Additive (6-9%) for an all-in-one solution. Or individual additives: Retarder MG (1-3%), Fixer WF-N (1-3%), Softener MG (1-5%).

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