Matsui Softener MG Additive | Soft Hand for Water-Based Screen Printing Ink

Matsui

Matsui Softener MG

Matsui Softener MG is a professional-grade silicone softener additive formulated for water-based screen printing inks. Add 1–5% to your ink to achieve an ultra-soft hand feel, improved ink flow, better garment penetration, and reduced drying in the screen. Softener MG also doubles as a foil release agent at 10% and an eco-safe screen cleaning solution at 20%. Formerly known as XA-1. OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified. Compatible with all Matsui water-based ink systems.

Price range: $29.99 through $449.99

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SKU: MAT Softener MG Category: Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Description

Key Features of Matsui Softener MG Additive:

Matsui Softener MG Additive — The Ultimate Soft Hand Solution for Water-Based Screen Printing

Matsui Softener MG (formerly XA-1) is a premium silicone-based ink additive engineered specifically for water-based screen printing. Whether you’re printing fashion tees, performance athletic apparel, streetwear, or high-end retail garments, Softener MG delivers the buttery-soft hand feel your customers demand — without sacrificing print quality, wash durability, or color vibrancy.

Designed in Japan by Matsui International, one of the most trusted names in water-based textile ink chemistry, Softener MG is the go-to additive for screen printers who want to elevate their print quality and streamline production. A small addition of 1–5% by weight transforms the feel, flow, and printability of any Matsui water-based ink system.

Key Features:

  • Ultra-Soft Hand Feel: Produces a smooth, plush print finish that feels luxurious against the skin — ideal for retail-quality and direct-to-consumer garments where comfort is non-negotiable.
  • Improved Ink Flow & Shear Rate: Enhances how ink moves through the mesh, giving you smoother, more consistent prints with less effort at the squeegee.
  • Better Garment Penetration: Helps the ink absorb deeper into fabric fibers for prints that feel like part of the garment, not sitting on top of it.
  • Reduces Drying in the Screen: Acts as a mild retarder to keep ink open and workable longer, reducing clogging and buildup during extended print runs.
  • Increases Print Elasticity: Adds stretch and flexibility to the cured ink film — critical for performance wear, Dri-Fit fabrics, and any garment that needs to move with the body without cracking.
  • Multi-Use Versatility: Goes beyond softening — blend at 10% into water-based inks to use as a foil release agent.
  • Eco-Friendly & Certified Safe: OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, CPSIA compliant, and HR4040 compliant. PVC-free formulation meets the restricted substance lists (RSL) required by major brands.
  • Universal Matsui Compatibility: Works seamlessly across the full Matsui water-based ink lineup including Neo Series, EasyPrint, Alpha Series, and all Matsui mixing bases.

Why Screen Printers Use Matsui Softener MG

Screen printers choose Softener MG because it solves multiple production challenges with a single additive. The demand for soft-hand prints has exploded — today’s consumers expect garments that feel as good as they look, and brands are requiring soft-hand finishes as a standard, not a luxury. Plastisol can’t compete with the natural, no-hand feel that water-based inks deliver, and Softener MG pushes that advantage even further.

On the production side, Softener MG improves ink flow and shear rate, which means fewer screen clogs, less downtime for cleanup, and smoother squeegee strokes. Printers running long jobs benefit from the mild retarding effect that keeps ink open in the screen — especially in shops running at lower humidity. And because Softener MG improves fabric penetration, you get prints that are more integrated with the garment for a true vintage, no-hand feel that holds up wash after wash.

For shops that also do foil work, Softener MG pulls double duty as a foil release agent when blended at 10% — eliminating the need for a separate specialty product.

Recommended Usage Rates:

Application Mix Ratio Purpose
Soft hand improvement 1–3% by weight Softer print feel, improved garment penetration
Enhanced ink flow 1–4% by weight Better flow, shear rate, and printability
Maximum softness Up to 5% by weight Ultra-soft hand for fashion and retail prints
Foil release agent 10% into water-based ink Enables foil-based printing applications
Mesh lubricant 30% Softener MG + 70% water Pre-print mesh lubrication to prevent ink sticking

Pro Tips for Best Results:

  • Start at 1–3% and work your way up. A little goes a long way — overuse can affect wash fastness.
  • Combine with Matsui Retarder MG (1–3%) and Fixer WF-N (1–4%) for the ultimate print performance trifecta: soft hand, extended open time, and improved wash durability.
  • Use the mesh lubricant trick: Mix 30% Softener MG with 70% water in a spray bottle. Apply to the ink side of the mesh before printing to prevent ink from sticking to mesh threads. This keeps your image crisp and prevents designs from closing in.
  • For a one-step solution, consider Matsui Quick Additive — which combines Softener MG, Retarder MG, Fixer WF-N, and Thickener B into a single all-in-one additive at 4–10%.

Technical Specifications

Specification Detail
Product Name Matsui Softener MG (formerly XA-1)
Product Code WB1011
Type Silicone softener additive
Designed For All Matsui water-based screen printing ink systems
Recommended Usage 1–5% by weight
Certifications OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, CPSIA, HR4040
Formulation PVC-free, environmentally safe
Compatible Ink Systems Neo Series, EasyPrint, Alpha Series, Matsui mixing bases
Cure Temperature Follow base ink specifications (typically 320°F / 160°C)
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:

  • Achieve premium soft-hand prints that rival the feel of blank garments
  • Improve ink flow and eliminate screen clogging during production
  • Increase print stretch and flexibility for performance and athletic fabrics
  • Reduce the number of specialty products in your shop (softener + foil release + cleaner in one)
  • Meet brand RSL requirements with OEKO-TEX® and CPSIA certified formulations
  • Compatible with cotton, cotton-poly blends, and performance fabrics
  • Easy water cleanup — no harsh solvents needed

Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents

Matsui Softener MG (Formerly XA-1) Safety Data Sheet

Matsui Softner Technical Data Sheet

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much Matsui Softener MG should I add to my water-based ink?

For improved softness and ink flow, add 1–3% by weight. For maximum soft hand feel, you can go up to 5%. Do not exceed 5% as it may affect wash fastness.

Can Matsui Softener MG be used as a foil release agent?

Yes. Blend Softener MG at 10% into your water-based ink and it functions as an effective foil release agent for foil-based printing applications.

Is Matsui Softener MG the same as XA-1?

Yes. Softener MG is the updated name for what was previously known as Matsui XA-1 Softener. Same formulation, new name.

What Matsui ink systems is Softener MG compatible with?

Softener MG is compatible with all Matsui water-based ink systems, including Neo Series, EasyPrint, Alpha Series, and all Matsui mixing bases.

Is Matsui Softener MG safe for children’s apparel?

Yes. Softener MG is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, CPSIA compliant, and HR4040 compliant — meeting the safety standards required for children’s products.

Will Softener MG affect the color of my prints?

No. Softener MG does not alter ink color. It improves hand feel and flow without impacting color vibrancy or opacity.

How should I store Matsui Softener MG?

Store between 65°F and 95°F (18°C–35°C) in a sealed container away from direct sunlight.

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