Monarch Stark Neutral Base LB

Monarch

Monarch Stark Neutral Base LB is the clear, low-bleed mixing base in the Monarch VIVID LB system. It reduces the value of mixed colors for pastels and soft tints without adding white pigment — so hues stay clean and bright, the hand stays soft, and you can stretch expensive pigment colors further. Pair it with the Monarch Formulator for exact-gram Pantone matches.

Clear mixing base
Tints & pastels without white

Low bleed
Great on 50/50 & tri-blends

Pantone matching
Formulator-ready mixing base

Soft hand
Non-phthalate, cures at 320°F

★ Lighten & tint colors without going chalky — the clear base for pastels & soft prints.

Available in quart, gallon & 3-gallon. New to the mixing system? Call 512-454-0505.

Price range: $30.62 through $206.94

Description

Monarch Stark Neutral Base LB

Stark Neutral Base LB is one of the two carrier bases at the heart of the Monarch VIVID LB mixing system — and it’s the one that lets you build clean pastels and soft tints. Unlike white, it’s a clear base: it reduces the value (strength) of a mixed color so you get lighter, softer shades without adding white pigment that would turn the color chalky, muted or opaque. That keeps hues pure and bright, keeps the print hand soft, and lets you stretch pricey pigment concentrates further per gram. Combined with Stark White LB and the VIVID LB blending colors, it’s how you hit thousands of accurate Pantone matches straight from the Monarch Formulator. It’s a low-bleed (LB) formula, so it holds up on 50/50 and tri-blends where dye migration would otherwise ruin a light print.

What Neutral Base Is For

Pastels & soft tints

Lighten a color’s value for pale, tinted and fashion-soft shades — without white muddying the hue.

Pantone mixing

The clear carrier the Formulator calls for by weight in thousands of PMS formulas.

Extend & reduce

Stretch expensive pigment colors and soften opacity for a lighter, softer hand.

Transparent prints

Build sheer, tonal and athletic-style prints that let garment color show through.

Neutral Base vs. Stark White — Which Base?

Both are carriers in the VIVID LB system, but they do opposite jobs. Here’s when to reach for each.

Base	What it does	Adds opacity?	Best for
Stark Neutral Base LB THIS PAGE	Clear carrier — lightens value & makes pastels/tints, keeps hue pure	No — stays transparent	Pastels, soft tints, fashion-soft prints, extending pigment on lights
Stark White LB	Opaque white carrier — adds value & coverage	Yes — opaque	Most Pantone formulas & printing bright on dark garments

Rule of thumb: reach for Neutral Base when you want to soften or tint a color without turning it chalky or opaque — and Stark White when you need value and coverage on darks. Most Pantone mixes use one or the other (or both) by weight.

How To Use It

Mixing

Pull the formula from the Monarch Formulator by PMS code
Weigh each part on a 0.1-gram scale
Add pigment/blending color into the Neutral Base by weight
Mix thoroughly and draw down to confirm the match

Printing

Mesh: 86–305 (higher mesh for tints & detail)
Squeegee: 70–80 durometer
Flash: 240–260°F • Cure: 320°F
Test tints on your exact garment — light shades show bleed first

White vs. Neutral Base — don’t mix them up. Lightening with Stark White adds opacity and can dull a color; lightening with Neutral Base keeps it clear and vivid. For pastels on light garments, reach for Neutral Base. For coverage on darks, use White. Follow the Formulator weights for exact PMS results.

Complete Your VIVID LB Mixing System

Stark White LB

The opaque white carrier — the other base most Pantone formulas call for.

VIVID LB Blending Colors

The 23 pigment concentrates you mix into the base — shop them all.

VIVID LB Complete System

The full 25-color Pantone mixing kit — bases plus every blending color.

VIVID LB Standard Colors

Prefer ready-mixed? Shop Monarch VIVID LB standard finished colors.

Why Buy From River City Supply?

Real printers. Real support. Genuine Monarch ink.

Real printers on staff

Setting up the mixing system or chasing a PMS match? Call (512) 454-0505.

Genuine Monarch ink

Fresh, non-phthalate VIVID LB base ready to mix.

Quart to 3-gallon

Sample the base or stock up for a busy mixing bench.

Fast shipping

Same-day shipping on in-stock orders before 3:30 PM CT; free shipping over $200.

Call (512) 454-0505

Technical Specifications

Monarch Stark Neutral Base LB – Technical Specifications

Brand	Monarch Color
Product	Stark Neutral Base LB (VIVID LB mixing system)
Type	Clear low-bleed plastisol mixing / reducing base
Function	Reduces color value for pastels & tints without adding white pigment
Bleed resistance	Low bleed (LB) — for 50/50 & tri-blends
Fabrics	100% cotton, 50/50 poly-cotton & tri-blends
Cure temperature	320°F (160°C)
Flash temperature	240–260°F
Mesh (range)	86–305 (higher mesh for tints & detail)
Squeegee	70–80 durometer
Mixing	Monarch Formulator (exact gram weights by PMS code)
Formula	Non-phthalate, lead-free
Sizes	Quart, gallon & 3-gallon

Test & cure. Mesh, mix ratios and cure vary by art, press and fabric — verify full cure with a dryer probe and run a wash test, especially on tinted prints over blends. Check the current TDS/SDS for handling.

Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Monarch Stark Neutral Base LB – Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stark Neutral Base LB?

It’s the clear, low-bleed mixing base in the Monarch VIVID LB system. It reduces the value of mixed colors to make pastels and soft tints without adding white pigment, keeping hues clean and bright.

How is it different from Stark White?

White is opaque and adds coverage but can dull a color; Neutral Base is clear and lightens value while keeping the hue pure and the print soft. Use White for darks, Neutral Base for pastels and tints. See the comparison above.

Can I use it by itself?

It’s designed as a mixing/reducing base, not a stand-alone print color. You add VIVID LB blending colors or pigment into it to build a shade, or use it to reduce an existing color.

Does it work for Pantone matching?

Yes — it’s a core carrier the Monarch Formulator calls for by weight when mixing thousands of PMS colors. Weigh ingredients on a 0.1-gram scale for accuracy.

Is it low bleed?

Yes. The LB formula resists dye migration, so it’s suited to 50/50 and tri-blend garments — important because pale tints show bleed first.

What fabrics and cure temp?

Cotton, 50/50 poly-cotton and tri-blends; cure at 320°F (160°C) with a 240–260°F flash. Always verify full cure.

What mesh should I print through?

86–305 mesh depending on the print — go higher for tints and fine detail. Use a 70–80 durometer squeegee.

What sizes does it come in?

Quart, gallon and 3-gallon. Not sure how much you need for your mixing bench? Call (512) 454-0505.

Still have questions?

Our screen-printing team can help you set up the Monarch mixing system.

Call (512) 454-0505

Reviews

Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.

Monarch Stark Neutral Base LB

Description

Monarch Stark Neutral Base LB