Matsui Alpha Series Ready-for-Use Starter Kit with Pantone Book | Complete Water-Based and Discharge Color Mixing System — All 14 Alpha Colors + Trans White + Retarder MG + Pantone Formula Guide Coated & Uncoated — No Software Required
Matsui
Matsui Alpha Series Starter Kit with Pantone Formula Guide — everything in the standard Starter Kit plus the Pantone Formula Guide Coated & Uncoated. The complete, ready-to-mix-and-print water-based and discharge Pantone color matching system. All 17 Alpha colors + the Pantone Formula Guide you need to look up formulas for any Pantone code. No software. No separate base. PVC-free. The simplest complete Pantone-matching setup for screen printing.
✓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: $508.00 through $1,208.00
Description
Alpha Starter Kit + Pantone Book
The Starter Kit with Pantone Book is the complete package. The inks and the formula reference in one order. No hunting for the book separately. Open the Pantone Guide to any Pantone code, read the Alpha Series formula printed right there, weigh the inks on your gram scale, and mix. That is the entire Alpha workflow — and this kit gives you everything except the scale and the screens.
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
📗 + Pantone Formula Guide Coated & Uncoated — Included
The Pantone Formula Guide is included in this bundle — the essential reference that tells you exactly which Alpha colors to combine and in what ratios for any Pantone code. If you don’t already own one, this kit is the better value.
⚠️ 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
- 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 with Pantone Book |
| 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 + Book, Gallon Kit + Book |
| Formulation | PVC-free |
Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is included with this 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, Spot Black, Trans White) plus the Pantone Formula Guide Coated & Uncoated edition.
Why do I need the Pantone Formula Guide?
The Alpha Series is designed to be mixed directly using Pantone Formula Guide ratios — no software required. The Guide tells you exactly how much of each Alpha color to combine for any Pantone code. Without it, you would need to estimate formulas or use software. With it, every Pantone color has a printed formula.
Is this better than the standard Starter Kit?
If you do not already own a Pantone Formula Guide, yes — this kit is the better value. The Guide is required to use the Alpha system to its full potential for Pantone matching. If you already have a current Pantone Formula Guide, the standard Starter Kit is sufficient.
Is Discharge Activator included?
No. Discharge Activator is sold separately. Add it to any Alpha ink at 3–8% when printing on dark 100% cotton.
Questions? We’re here to help.
Call us at (512) 454-0505 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm CT
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