Matsui Alpha Series Ready-for-Use Starter Kit | Complete Water-Based and Discharge Color Mixing System — All 14 Alpha Colors + Trans White + Retarder MG — Pantone Book Not Included — No Software Required
Matsui
Matsui Alpha Series Starter Kit — the complete set of all Alpha Series colors in one package. Includes all 15 colors (14 mixing colors + Trans White) plus Spot Black: Yellow 012 C, Orange 021 C, Warm Red C, Red 032 C, Rubine Red C, Rhodamine Red C, Purple C, Medium Purple C, Violet C, Dark Blue C, Reflex Blue C, Process Blue C, Blue 072 C, Green C, Black C, Spot Black, and Trans White. Everything you need to start mixing any Pantone color using your Pantone Formula Guide. No software required. PVC-free. Ready to print on arrival.
✓Complete Alpha Color System
✓All 17 Alpha Colors
✓No Software Needed
✓Water-Based + Discharge
✓Print Straight from Bucket
🚚 FREE Shipping on orders over $200|📦 In-Stock: Usually ships same or next business day|🏪 Free In-Store Pickup · San Antonio, TX
Price range: $300.00 through $1,000.00
Description
Alpha Starter Kit
The Alpha Starter Kit is the fastest way to get the complete system on your shelf. Buy it once and you can match virtually any Pantone color your customers bring through the door — using just your Pantone Formula Guide, a gram scale, and these inks. No software. No base ordering. No pigment calculations. The full Alpha system, ready to print from the first bucket you open.
Key Features
📦
Complete System
All 17 Alpha colors in one order — everything you need to match any Pantone color.
📖
Book-Formula Mixing
Use your Pantone Formula Guide to mix any Pantone shade. No software. No base.
🪣
Print from Bucket
Every color in the kit is a complete RFU ink — print any color as a spot color straight from the container.
⚡
WB + Discharge
Light garments water-based, dark cotton with discharge activator.
What’s in the Kit
Yellow 012 C
Orange 021 C
Warm Red C
Red 032 C
Rubine Red C
Rhodamine Red C
Purple C
Medium Purple C
Violet C
Dark Blue C
Reflex Blue C
Blue 072 C
Process Blue C
Green C
Black C
Spot Black
Trans White
⚠️ Discharge Activator — Sold Separately
The Discharge Activator is not included in the kit — it is a separate purchase. You only need it if you want to print in discharge mode on dark 100% cotton. For water-based printing on light garments, the kit has everything you need. Add at 3–8% by weight per session; 12-hour pot life once mixed.
📋 What Else You Need to Start Printing
- Gram scale — for accurate Pantone formula ratios
- Pantone Formula Guide — Coated & Uncoated edition (sold separately — or buy the Kit + Pantone Book bundle)
- Water-resistant emulsion — required for long water-based runs
- Discharge Activator — only if printing discharge on dark cotton (not included)
📖 How to Match a Pantone® Color — Alpha Series Method
- Customer selects a Pantone color (e.g., PMS 286 C) from the Pantone Formula Guide.
- Open the Guide to that Pantone code. The Alpha Series formula is printed right there — showing color ratios by weight.
- Follow those ratios using Alpha Series colors on a gram scale. Mix thoroughly.
- Print a test swatch on your actual garment. Fully cure.
- Compare cured swatch to the Pantone page. Minor adjustments may be needed for fabric vs. paper variation.
Note: Pantone book formulas are designed for ink on paper. Minor adjustments may be needed for fabric. Discharge colors shift during curing — always test before production.
Two Printing Modes — One Kit
Mode 1 — Water-Based (Light Garments)
Open and print directly on white, light, or medium garments. No activator. Soft hand feel. Wet-on-wet capable.
Mode 2 — Discharge (Dark 100% Cotton)
Add Discharge Activator at 3–8% by weight (sold separately). Removes garment dye, embeds color into fiber. Zero surface buildup. 100% cotton + reactive dyes only.
| Feature | Alpha Series | Neo Pigments | Infinity Series |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Ready-for-use (RFU) complete ink. No base needed. | Pigment concentrates — MUST be mixed into a separate Matsui base. | Ready-for-use (RFU) complete ink. No base needed. |
| Color Matching | Pantone book formulas DIRECTLY — NO software required | CMS Software required for Pantone formulas | Pantone book formulas directly — no software required |
| Print from Bucket? | YES — each color is a printable spot color on its own | NO — pigment alone will not adhere to fabric | YES — each color is a printable spot color |
| Discharge Capable? | YES — add 3–8% activator for dark cotton | YES — when mixed into a discharge base + activator | NO — water-based only |
| Colors Available | 17 (15 colors + Spot Black + Trans White) | 21 (13 Neo + 8 Glow pigments) — requires separate bases | 15 colors |
| Mesh | Up to 230 | Up to 305+ (varies by base) | Up to 305+ |
| Best For | Fastest Pantone matching. No software. No base. WB + discharge. Simplest workflow. | Maximum base flexibility (20+ finishes). CMS precision. Highest mesh capability. | RFU water-based on lights. Book-formula mixing. Budget-friendly. |
Recommended Additives
| 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. |
⚠️ 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.
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.
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 Ready For Use Starter Kit |
| Type | Complete Matsui Alpha Series Starter Kit |
| Included Colors | All 17 Alpha Series colors |
| Mesh | Up to 230/inch (color-dependent) |
| 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 Kit, Gallon Kit |
| Formulation | PVC-free |
Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What colors are included in the Starter Kit?
All 17 Alpha Series colors: Yellow 012 C, Orange 021 C, Warm Red C, Red 032 C, Rubine Red C, Rhodamine Red C, Purple C, Medium Purple C, Violet C, Dark Blue C, Reflex Blue C, Process Blue C, Blue 072 C, Green C, Black C (Dark Gray), Spot Black, and Trans White.
What size does the kit come in?
The Starter Kit is available in Quart and Gallon sets. Quart is ideal for shops starting out or sampling the system. Gallon is better for production shops that need more volume for high-run jobs.
Do I need anything else to start printing?
You need: a Pantone Formula Guide (for mixing custom colors), a gram scale (for accurate formula ratios), Discharge Activator (if you plan to print in discharge mode on dark cotton), and standard water-based screen printing supplies (water-resistant emulsion, squeegees, screens). Everything else is in the kit.
Is Discharge Activator included?
No. Discharge Activator is sold separately and added to the ink at 3–8% when you are ready to print on dark 100% cotton. It has a 12-hour pot life once mixed, so it is always added fresh at print time.
Questions? We’re here to help.
Call us at (512) 454-0505 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm CT
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