Matsui Alpha Series Spot Black | Ready-for-Use Water-Based and Dischargeable opaque spot black Ink — Print Straight from the Bucket or Mix Custom Pantone® Colors Using Your Pantone Book — No Software Required
Matsui
Matsui Alpha Series Spot Black is the opaque, ready-for-use spot black in the Alpha lineup — formulated specifically for solid, bold black spot color printing on light and dark garments. Unlike Alpha Black C (which is a mixing/shading black that cures dark gray), Spot Black is engineered for maximum blackness and opacity as a direct-print spot color. Dual mode: water-based on light garments, dischargeable on dark 100% cotton with 3–8% Discharge Activator. Mesh up to 230. Cure at 320°F. PVC-free.
✓Opaque Spot Black
✓Ready-for-Use RFU
✓Water-Based on Lights
✓Discharge on Dark Cotton
✓Mesh Up to 230
✓PVC-Free
🚚 FREE Shipping on orders over $200|📦 In-Stock: Usually ships same or next business day|🏪 Free In-Store Pickup · San Antonio, TX
Price range: $24.99 through $1,749.99
Description
Alpha Spot Black
Spot Black is the printing black — the one you reach for when the job calls for a solid, bold, opaque black print. Alpha Black C is the mixing black — a shading agent used in formulas to darken other colors. Spot Black cures true black; Black C cures dark gray. They serve different purposes and most shops keep both on the shelf.
Key Features
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True Opaque Black
Spot Black cures as a solid, opaque black — distinct from Black C (which cures dark gray and is a mixing agent). Use Spot Black for actual black spot color printing.
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Ready for Use
Print straight from the bucket — no base, no mixing required.
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Dual Mode: WB + Discharge
Water-based on light garments, dischargeable on dark 100% cotton with 3–8% activator.
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Wet-on-Wet Capable
Supports wet-on-wet printing for faster multicolor production.
The Complete Alpha Series Family
The Complete Alpha Series — All 17 Colors
Every color is RFU — print straight from the bucket or blend with any other Alpha color using your Pantone Formula Guide. Click any swatch to shop that color. Browse full Alpha category →
15 Spot Colors + Spot Black + Trans White — All Discharge CapableAdd Discharge Activator 3–8% for dark cotton
⚠️ Discharge Activator Required for Discharge Mode
Add at 3–8% by weight to any Alpha color for discharge printing on dark 100% cotton. 12-hr pot life. Mix only what you need per session.
⚠️ Discharge Activator — Required for Discharge Mode
Alpha Series inks will not discharge without the Discharge Activator — it is a required component, not optional. Add at 3–8% by weight to any Alpha color before printing on dark 100% cotton. 12-hour pot life once activated. Mix only what you need per session.
⚠️ Discharge Mode Rules — Alpha Series
- 100% cotton with reactive (dischargeable) dyes only. Polyester and synthetics do not discharge. On blends, only cotton threads discharge — creating a distressed look.
- Discharge Activator required at 3–8% by weight. No activator = no discharge.
- 12-hour pot life once activated. Mix only what you need per session.
- Colors shift during curing. The wet color in the bucket will NOT match the final cured result. Always fully cure test swatches before production comparison.
- Ventilation recommended during printing and curing.
- Water-resistant emulsions required (Chromaline CPTex or Hydro-X recommended).
- Pre-test everything. Discharge effectiveness varies by garment brand and dye lot.
| Additive | Dosage | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Discharge Activator | 3–8% | ⚠️ REQUIRED FOR DISCHARGE MODE. Enables discharge chemistry on dark 100% cotton. 12-hour pot life once added. Not needed for water-based mode. |
| Retarder MG | 1–3% | Extends open time — prevents ink drying in screen during longer runs. |
| Fixer WF-N | 1–3% | Improves wash fastness — crosslinks binder for laundry durability. |
| Softener MG | 1–5% | Improves fabric penetration and softens hand feel. |
| Fixer L | 1–3% | Low-cure option for electric dryers where 320°F is difficult to reach. |
| Quick Additive | 6–9% | All-in-one: Retarder MG + Fixer WF-N + Softener MG. One measurement, three benefits. Recommended for most jobs. |
Questions? We’re here to help.
Call us at (512) 454-0505 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm CT
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Matsui Alpha Series Spot Black |
| Type | Ready-for-use (RFU) water-based / dischargeable Matsui Alpha Series ink |
| Included Colors | Spot black — opaque for direct spot printing |
| Mesh | Up to 230/inch |
| Cure | 320°F (160°C) |
| Flash | 160°F (71°C) |
| Discharge Mode | Add 3–8% Discharge Activator for dark 100% cotton. 12-hour pot life. |
| Substrates | Cotton, cotton-poly blends. Discharge: 100% cotton only. |
| Available Sizes | Quart, Gallon, 5 Gallon, 30 Gallon |
| Formulation | PVC-free |
Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the difference between Spot Black and Black C?
Spot Black is an opaque, direct-print spot color — it cures as a true black and is designed for solid black designs. Black C (Dark Gray) is a mixing and shading ink that cures as a dark gray, used to darken and mute other Alpha colors in Pantone formulas. Use Spot Black when you need to print black. Use Black C when a formula calls for a darkening agent.
Can Spot Black be used in discharge mode on dark garments?
Yes — add 3–8% Discharge Activator and print on dark 100% cotton. Spot Black discharge prints produce a deep, soft black embedded in the cotton fibers with excellent hand feel.
What mesh should I use with Spot Black?
Mesh up to 230/inch. For maximum opacity, use lower mesh (110–156). For production jobs with moderate detail, 160–180 is effective.
Questions? We’re here to help.
Call us at (512) 454-0505 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm CT
Reviews
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