Monarch Stark White MP8-0120 LB Plastisol Ink – Soft and Creamy Screen Printing Ink
Monarch
Monarch Stark White MP8-0120 LB is a professional-grade, high-opacity plastisol white ink engineered specifically for screen printing on 100% cotton and 50/50 poly/cotton blend garments. Creamy, short-body consistency prints straight from the container with no viscosity modifiers needed. Its Apocalypse-technology formulation delivers the soft hand, satin finish, and less fibrillation that dark-garment printers demand — at a standard 320°F cure temperature that works with any conveyor dryer. Non-phthalate, lead-free, and safe for children’s apparel. Compatible with the Monarch Vivid LB Blending System for Pantone color matching.
✓100% Cotton & 50/50 Blend Specialist
✓High Opacity — One-Stroke Coverage
✓Creamy Short Body — No Viscosity Modifier
✓Satin Finish · Less Fibrillation
✓Soft Hand Feel
✓Fast Flash at 240–260°F
✓Standard Cure 320°F
✓Mesh 86–230
✓Non-Phthalate · Lead-Free · CPSIA Safe
✓Vivid LB Color System Compatible
🚚 FREE Shipping on orders over $200|📦 In-Stock: Usually ships same or next business day|🏪 Free In-Store Pickup · San Antonio, TX
Price range: $31.19 through $3,489.85
Description
Stark White LB — The Cotton & 50/50 Standard
Monarch built the Stark White by taking what they learned with the Apocalypse high-opacity ink system and applying it to a standard 320°F cure formulation. The result is a white that behaves nothing like old-school high-opacity whites — those were stiff, thick, and left a heavy ink deposit you could feel from across the room. Stark White is creamy, short-bodied, and lightweight. It prints with almost no resistance on manual or automatic presses. It flashes fast. It cures clean. And the finished print has the soft hand and satin surface that customers expect on 100% cotton and 50/50 Gildan-style shirts — not the rubbery, raised deposit of a lesser white. Stark White LB is one of the most popular whites in the screen printing industry because it earns its reputation every job.
Key Features
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High Opacity — One-Stroke Coverage
Stark White delivers bold, solid white coverage on dark cotton and 50/50 blends — often in a single print stroke. Built on Apocalypse high-opacity technology at standard cure temp.
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Creamy, Short Body — No Modifiers
The short-body, creamy consistency prints smoothly through mesh without needing viscosity modifiers or reducers. Stir, flood, print. Ready to go straight from the container.
✋
Soft Hand — Less Fibrillation
Stark White is specifically engineered to reduce fibrillation on cotton — the white spidery threads that show through white prints after washing. Satin finish with a soft, low-profile hand feel that doesn’t add bulk to the print.
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Fast Flash at 240–260°F
Flash cures quickly between color layers, keeping production moving on automatic presses. Gel point of 160°F means it sets up efficiently under flash units.
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Pairs with Vivid LB Color System
Stark White LB is the official underbase and top-white for Monarch’s Vivid LB color mixing system. Combine for a complete standard-cure cotton/50-50 ink program with Pantone color matching.
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Non-Phthalate · CPSIA Safe
Lead-free and non-phthalate formulation meets CPSC, HR-4040, CA PROP65, and CPSIA requirements. Safe for children’s apparel and compliant with major brand RSL programs.
Printing on 100% Cotton vs. 50/50 Blends — What You Need to Know
100% Cotton
- Stark White LB is ideal — standard cure 320°F with full dwell time
- Mesh 86–160 for solid underbase; up to 230 for thinner top-white layers
- No dye migration concern on 100% cotton garments
- Use single print stroke for one-pass coverage whenever possible
- No underbase needed for white as spot color — print direct
- Cure test: stretch test + wash test before full production
50/50 Poly/Cotton Blends
- Good bleed resistance — Stark White handles most 50/50 blends well
- Keep cure temp at 320°F — do not exceed to avoid dye migration
- Use lower mesh (110–160) for heavier ink deposit that resists bleed-through
- Avoid excessive flash temp — over-flashing can drive dyes into wet ink
- ⚠️ On aggressively dye-prone polyester, consider Yeti LB White instead
- Always test on a sample garment — dye migration varies by brand and dye lot
Using Stark White as an Underbase — Setup Guide
1
Coat and Expose Your Screens
Use a plastisol-compatible emulsion (dual-cure or SBQ photopolymer). For underbase screens, a slightly thicker EOM (emulsion over mesh) builds a heavier ink deposit. Expose fully — under-exposed screens break down under squeegee pressure and cause white bleed.
2
Set Your Underbase Mesh Count
86–160 mesh for dark garments. Lower mesh = thicker deposit = better opacity. For most dark-shirt work, 110 mesh is the standard starting point. For fine-detail designs that still need opacity, 156 mesh works well.
3
Flood and Print
Stir Stark White thoroughly. Flood the screen, position on garment, and print with a smooth, even stroke. 70°–80° durometer squeegee. Single stroke for one-pass coverage when possible. No viscosity modifier needed — print straight from the container.
4
Flash Cure the Underbase
Flash at 240–260°F until just dry to the touch. Gel point is 160°F. Do not over-flash — if the surface is shiny or tacky, it’s over-flashed and will cause inter-coat adhesion problems. The underbase should be dry but not fully cured — colors bond better to a properly flashed underbase.
5
Print Colors and Final Cure
Print your Vivid LB or other plastisol colors over the flashed underbase. Wet-on-wet is possible on automatic presses for additional color layers. Final cure at 320°F for approximately 90 seconds in a conveyor dryer. Perform a stretch test — if ink cracks, it’s under-cured. Increase belt dwell time.
⚠️ Always Perform a Cure Test Before Production
Stretch test: Cure a sample, let it cool fully, then pull the printed area firmly in all directions. Properly cured plastisol stretches with the fabric without cracking. If it cracks, it’s under-cured — increase dwell time.
Wash test: Wash the cured sample and inspect. Under-cured ink will lift, crack, or bleed at the edges after washing.
Dye migration test: On 50/50 blends, check the cured white 24–48 hours after printing for any pink or yellow discoloration indicating dye migration.
Wash test: Wash the cured sample and inspect. Under-cured ink will lift, crack, or bleed at the edges after washing.
Dye migration test: On 50/50 blends, check the cured white 24–48 hours after printing for any pink or yellow discoloration indicating dye migration.
🎨 Monarch Vivid LB Color System — Stark White is the Official Underbase
Pair Stark White LB with Monarch’s Vivid LB blending colors for a complete standard-cure cotton/50-50 ink program. Use the free Printers Choice Formulator for exact Pantone color mixing ratios.
Monarch White Ink Comparison — Which White Is Right for Your Fabric?
Monarch makes four white inks, each optimized for a specific fabric type and use case. Click any product name to shop. The Stark White LB (this product) is highlighted in teal.
| White Ink | SKU | Primary Substrate | Fusion Temp | Flash Temp | Mesh Range | Opacity | Finish | Bleed Resist. | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stark White LB THIS PRODUCT | MP8-0120 | Cotton, 50/50 Blends, Tri-Blends, Poly/Cotton | 320°F | 240–260°F | 86–230 | High | Satin | Good | Dark 100% cotton & 50/50 blends. Standard cure. Vivid color system underbase. |
| Stark Cotton White | MP8-0190 / MP8-0119 | 100% Cotton (primary) | 280–320°F | 220–250°F | 86–230 | High | Ultra-Soft / Matte | Moderate | Maximum softness on 100% cotton. Simulates water-based hand feel. Low-cure. |
| Yeti LB White | MP8-0104 | Polyester Blends, Tri-Blends, Poly/Cotton, Cotton, Stretch | 290–320°F | 230–250°F | 86–156 | High | Satin | Good — poly specialist | Polyester & blends. Bright white. Best low-bleed performance on poly. |
| Yeti ULT II White | MP8-0135 | 100% Polyester (primary), Blends | 280–320°F | 230–250°F | 86–156 | High | Satin | Excellent — poly specialist | Aggressive polyester dye migration. Hot peel transfers at 260°F. Ultra-low temp. |
Quick Rule of Thumb: Printing on dark 100% cotton or 50/50 blends? → Stark White LB. Need extreme softness on 100% cotton? → Stark Cotton White. Printing on polyester or performance blends? → Yeti LB. Aggressive poly dye migration or hot peel transfers? → Yeti ULT II.
Popular Blanks — Compatibility Guide for Stark White LB
These are the most commonly printed blanks. Always test a sample — dye lots vary between production runs.
| Blank / Brand | Fabric | Stark White LB | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gildan 5000 | 100% Cotton | ✅ Excellent | The standard. Stark White prints beautifully. 160 mesh underbase, cure 320°F. |
| Gildan G640 Softstyle | 100% Cotton (ring-spun) | ✅ Excellent | Softer ring-spun cotton. Great results. Lower mesh (110) for underbase opacity on dark colors. |
| Bella+Canvas 3001 | 100% Airlume Cotton | ✅ Excellent | Premium retail blank. Stark White’s soft hand complements B+C’s soft feel perfectly. |
| Next Level 3600 | 100% Cotton (combed) | ✅ Excellent | Tight weave. Stark White flashes fast and cures clean. Standard process. |
| Comfort Colors 1717 | 100% Cotton (garment-dyed) | ⚠️ Test First | Garment-dyed — reactive dyes. Perform 48-hr dye migration check after curing. |
| Gildan 5000B/Youth | 100% Cotton | ✅ Excellent | Same as adult 5000. CPSIA-safe formulation is appropriate for children’s apparel. |
| Gildan 8000 DryBlend | 50/50 Poly/Cotton | ✅ Good | Stark White LB’s primary 50/50 use case. Good bleed resistance. Cure at full 320°F. |
| Gildan 64000 | 100% Polyester (SoftStyle) | ❌ Use Yeti LB | 100% poly — use Yeti LB White instead for proper bleed resistance. |
| Next Level 6210 | 60/40 Cotton/Poly | ✅ Good | Higher cotton content — Stark White works well. Standard 320°F cure. |
| American Apparel 2001 | 100% Cotton | ✅ Excellent | Tight combed cotton. Stark White produces sharp, clean edges with minimal ink spread. |
⚠️ River City Supply is not responsible for dye migration or adhesion issues resulting from specific garment/dye lot combinations. Always test before full production runs.
Halftone & Simulated Process Printing with Stark White
Halftone Underbase
- Use 156–200 mesh for halftone white underbase
- Choke the underbase 0.5–1pt from the color art to prevent white halo
- Stark White’s creamy consistency holds halftone dots cleanly at 200 mesh
- Flash at 240–250°F — don’t over-flash or highlight dots merge
- Squeegee durometer: 70°–75° for better dot control
Simulated Process / Sim Process
- Stark White LB works well as the sim process underbase on dark cotton
- Print underbase at 160 mesh for solid coverage under photorealistic art
- Or go halftone at 200 mesh for a softer transition in highlight areas
- Flash firmly before overprinting Vivid LB colors wet-on-wet
- Stark White’s satin finish gives Vivid colors a clean, neutral base to sit on
Troubleshooting — Common White Ink Problems & Fixes
| Problem | Cause & Fix |
|---|---|
| ⚠️ White ink cracking or peeling after washing | Under-cured. Increase conveyor belt dwell time or raise dryer temperature to full 320°F. Perform a stretch test after curing — properly cured plastisol stretches without cracking. A cool dryer or fast belt speed is the #1 cause of under-cure. |
| ⚠️ Pink or yellow tint appearing through white on 50/50 blends | Dye migration. Polyester dyes are activated by heat and can bleed into the ink during or after curing. Solutions: (1) Lower cure temp slightly while still achieving full cure. (2) Reduce flash temp — over-flashing drives dyes into the wet underbase. (3) For heavy migration, step up to Yeti LB White which has stronger bleed resistance. (4) On extreme poly, use a gray blocker base under the white. |
| ⚠️ White printing sheer or thin — not covering dark fabric | Ink deposit too thin. Lower your mesh count (try 110 instead of 160). Check off-contact distance — too much off-contact reduces ink deposit. Verify squeegee durometer (70°–75° for thick white deposits). Also check your EOM — thicker emulsion coat builds more ink on press. |
| ⚠️ White ink drying in the screen during printing | Plastisol does not dry — it cures with heat only. If ink is thickening in the screen, the screen itself may be getting warm from the flash unit, lights, or sun. Move screens away from heat sources. Keep unused ink covered. Return ink to container between runs. |
| ⚠️ Fibrillation — white threads showing through after washing | Stark White is specifically engineered to reduce fibrillation, but fabric quality matters too. Solutions: (1) Ensure full cure at 320°F. (2) Lower mesh for heavier deposit (86–110). (3) On very fibrous cotton, two thin coats of ink flash-cure better than one thick coat. (4) Pre-treating screens with a slightly higher EOM reduces fiber pickup. |
| ⚠️ White ink not adhering to waterproof or DWR-coated fabric | The water-repellent coating prevents ink adhesion. Add CLA-100 adhesion promoter to the ink at the manufacturer’s recommended rate. Without CLA-100, the ink will peel cleanly off DWR-treated performance fabric even after proper cure. |
| ⚠️ Colors printing dull over white underbase | Over-flashed underbase. When the white is over-flashed, it becomes too slick and colors slide on top rather than bonding. The underbase should be dry but not glossy. Reduce flash time or temperature. |
How Much Ink Do You Need? — Coverage Estimator
Quart (~32 oz)
Approx. 200–400 standard prints as a full-front underbase. Best for: sampling, short runs, shops with multiple white options on the shelf.
Gallon (~128 oz)
Approx. 800–1,600 standard prints. Best for: production shops running regular dark-garment orders. Best value per ounce for volume.
5 Gallon (~640 oz)
Approx. 4,000–8,000 standard prints. Best for: high-volume shops using Stark White as their primary white program ink.
Coverage estimates based on a ~12″ × 14″ full-front design, single print stroke, 110–160 mesh underbase. Halftone or multi-pass setups use less ink. Actual yield varies by design size, mesh count, and press setup.
Complete Your Ink Setup — Related Products
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The matching black to Stark White. Same creamy body, same standard 320°F cure, same cotton/50-50 target. Run Stark White and Stark Black together for a cohesive, consistent ink program on dark garments.
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Stark White LB is the official underbase for Monarch’s Vivid LB color mixing system. 38 standard colors + 12 blending colors + fluorescents — all curing at 320°F on cotton and blends. Use the Printers Choice Formulator for exact Pantone matching.
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When your jobs call for polyester or high-performance blends, Yeti LB is the upgrade. Better bleed resistance for poly fabrics than Stark White. Same creamy feel, lower cure temp (290°F min).
🖥️
Stark White requires a plastisol-compatible emulsion. Chromaline CPTex, Hydro-X, and dual-cure emulsions all work well. A proper emulsion and EOM is as important as the ink for achieving clean, opaque white prints.
Questions? We’re here to help.
Call (512) 454-0505 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm CT · Same-day shipping before 3:30 PM CT
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Monarch Stark White MP8-0120 LB Plastisol Ink |
| SKU | MP8-0120 |
| Brand | Monarch Color |
| Ink Type | Plastisol — non-phthalate, lead-free |
| Color | White — satin finish |
| Primary Substrates | 100% Cotton, 50/50 Poly/Cotton Blends, Tri-Blends, Poly/Cotton |
| Body | Creamy, short body — no viscosity modifier required |
| Wet Ink Tack | Low |
| Surface Appearance | Satin finish |
| Opacity | High |
| Bleed Resistance | Good — suitable for most 50/50 blends |
| Gel Point | 160°F |
| Flash Temp & Time | 240°F to 260°F — flash just to dry to touch |
| Fusion Temperature | 320°F (160°C) |
| Dwell Time | Approximately 90 seconds in conveyor dryer |
| Squeegee | 70°–80° durometer |
| Mesh Count | 86 to 230 mc (110–160 recommended for underbases) |
| Emulsion | All plastisol-compatible emulsions (dual-cure, SBQ photopolymer) |
| Underbase Use | Yes — recommended setup for dark garments. Flash at 240–260°F between layers. |
| Wet-on-Wet | Possible on automatic presses with proper flash management |
| Vivid LB Compatible | Yes — official underbase and spot white for Monarch Vivid LB Color System |
| Color Matching | Monarch/Printers Choice Formulator — formulator.screenprintsupplies.com |
| Storage | Room temperature, cool and dry. Avoid sunlight and heat. Do not freeze. |
| ⚠️ Waterproof / DWR Fabrics | Add CLA-100 adhesion promoter before printing on any fabric with a water-repellent or DWR coating. Without it, the ink will not bond and will peel off after cure. |
| Do Not | Dry clean, iron, or bleach printed image. Contaminate with other ink brands (may cause positive phthalate test). |
| Compliances | Non-phthalate. CPSC, HR-4040, CA PROP65, CPSIA compliant. Safe for children’s apparel. |
| Available Sizes | Quart, Gallon, 5 Gallon |
Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Stark White LB designed for?
Stark White LB (MP8-0120) is specifically formulated for screen printing on 100% cotton and 50/50 poly/cotton blend garments at a standard 320°F cure temperature. It is the white underbase and spot white for Monarch’s Vivid LB color system — their standard-cure ink program for cotton and blend apparel.
Do I need to add anything to it before printing?
No. Stark White LB is ready to use straight from the container. Stir it thoroughly before printing — no viscosity modifiers, reducers, or additives needed for standard applications. Its creamy, short-body formulation is already optimized for both manual and automatic press printing.
What mesh count should I use for an underbase on dark garments?
86–160 mesh for underbases. 110 mesh is the most common starting point for dark-garment underbase work — it deposits enough ink for solid opacity without excessive buildup. For fine-detail designs where you still need opacity, 156 mesh gives cleaner edges. For simulated process printing where the white needs to be thinner, 200 mesh works. Never go higher than 230 for underbase work — you’ll sacrifice opacity.
Can I print Stark White LB on 100% polyester?
Stark White LB has good bleed resistance for poly/cotton blends, but it is not the best choice for 100% polyester or high-performance poly fabrics. For 100% polyester, use Monarch Yeti LB White (MP8-0104), which is specifically formulated for polyester dye migration. For extreme dye migration or hot-peel transfers, use Monarch Yeti ULT II White (MP8-0135).
What is the flash temperature and how do I know if it’s flashed correctly?
Flash at 240–260°F. The gel point is 160°F. The correctly flashed underbase should be dry to the touch but not fully cured — it should have a matte surface with no tackiness. If the surface is shiny or tacky, it is over-flashed — over-flashed underbases cause inter-coat adhesion problems where top colors don’t bond properly. If it’s still wet, flash longer or increase temperature.
What causes fibrillation on white prints, and how does Stark White address it?
Fibrillation is when white cotton fibers show through a printed white area after washing, making the white look grayish or mottled. It’s caused by ink that hasn’t fully penetrated or bonded with the cotton fibers. Stark White LB is specifically engineered to reduce fibrillation compared to standard white inks — its short-body formula penetrates the fabric more effectively and bonds more completely during cure, resulting in a print that stays brighter white through more wash cycles.
How do I perform a proper cure test?
Two tests: (1) Stretch test — cure a sample, let it cool completely, then firmly stretch the printed area in all directions. Properly cured plastisol stretches with the fabric without cracking or peeling. If it cracks, increase dwell time. (2) Wash test — launder the sample and inspect after drying. Under-cured ink lifts, cracks at edges, or bleeds. For 50/50 blends, also check 24–48 hours post-cure for dye migration (pink or yellow tint appearing through the white).
Can I use Stark White LB wet-on-wet without flashing?
On automatic presses, wet-on-wet color layers over a flashed white underbase is standard practice and works well. However, printing colors directly wet-on-wet over an un-flashed white on manual presses typically causes color mixing and smearing. Flash the underbase before overprinting on manual presses. On autos, flash the white first, then wet-on-wet your color layers before final cure.
What’s the difference between Stark White LB and Stark Cotton White?
Stark White LB (this product, MP8-0120) is for cotton and 50/50 blends at standard 320°F cure — it’s the versatile production standard. Stark Cotton White (MP8-0190 / MP8-0119) is formulated specifically for 100% cotton with an ultra-soft, almost water-based hand feel and can cure as low as 280°F. If your shop does primarily 100% cotton work and softness of hand is the highest priority, Cotton White is worth evaluating. For most shops doing a mix of cotton and 50/50 blend production, Stark White LB is the more versatile choice.
How do I use the Monarch Vivid system with Stark White?
Stark White LB is the official underbase and spot white for the Monarch Vivid LB blending system. Use the free Printers Choice Formulator to mix Vivid LB colors to exact Pantone codes. For dark garments: print Stark White underbase → flash → print Vivid LB colors → final cure at 320°F. Both inks cure at the same temperature — no temperature switching needed.
Does Stark White LB work on Gildan, Bella+Canvas, and Next Level blanks?
Yes — Stark White LB prints excellently on all the major 100% cotton and 50/50 blanks. Gildan 5000 (100% cotton) and Gildan 8000 DryBlend (50/50) are the most common production blanks and both work great at standard settings. Bella+Canvas 3001 and Next Level 3600 (both 100% combed cotton) produce clean, soft prints with good opacity. For Comfort Colors 1717 (garment-dyed cotton), perform a 48-hour dye migration test after curing — garment-dyed blanks can show migration even on 100% cotton. For 100% polyester blanks like the Gildan 42000, use Yeti LB White instead.
Can I use Stark White LB for halftone printing and simulated process?
Yes — Stark White LB works well as a halftone underbase on dark cotton. For a solid underbase, use 110–160 mesh. For a halftone underbase (softer transitions), use 156–200 mesh. Choke the underbase 0.5–1pt from the color art boundary to prevent white halo around colors. Flash at 240–250°F and avoid over-flashing — over-flashed underbases cause colors to sit on top rather than bonding into the white layer. For simulated process printing, pair Stark White underbase with Monarch Vivid LB colors over the top.
What is CLA-100 and when do I need it?
CLA-100 is a plastisol adhesion promoter added directly to the ink before printing. You need it when printing on any fabric that has a waterproof or DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating — common on windbreakers, athletic outer layers, and some performance fabrics. Without CLA-100, plastisol ink will not chemically bond to the DWR-treated surface and will peel off cleanly even after a proper cure. Add CLA-100 at the manufacturer’s recommended rate, mix thoroughly, and print as normal. Contact us at (512) 454-0505 for CLA-100 availability and dosage guidance.
Is it safe for printing children’s clothing?
Yes. Stark White LB is non-phthalate and lead-free. It passes all requirements for CPSC, HR-4040, California Proposition 65, and CPSIA. Safe for children’s apparel and compliant with major brand RSL (Restricted Substances List) programs. ⚠️ Do not contaminate with other ink brands — cross-contamination may cause the ink to test positive for restricted substances.
Questions? We’re here to help.
Call (512) 454-0505 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm CT · Same-day shipping before 3:30 PM CT
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