Matsui 301DM Discharge Binder | Dual-Purpose Water-Based Ink Base — Standard Water-Based Printing on Light Cotton OR Discharge Printing on Dark Cotton with One Product

Name: Matsui 301DM Discharge Binder | Dual-Purpose Water-Based Ink Base — Standard Water-Based Printing on Light Cotton OR Discharge Printing on Dark Cotton with One Product
SKU: MAT Discharge Base DSM
Availability: InStock

Matsui

Matsui 301DM Discharge Binder is a dual-purpose water-based base that gives you two products in one container: use it as a standard water-based ink on light-colored cotton (no activator needed), OR add discharge activator (3-8%) to transform it into a discharge ink for dark cotton garments. The same base, the same Neo Pigments (up to 15%), the same Pantone formulas — just flip the switch by adding or not adding activator. Prints through mesh up to 160/inch (62/cm). Ultra-soft hand feel in both modes. The ultimate inventory simplifier for shops that print on both light and dark cotton: one base handles both. Compatible with Matsui additives. Requires zero viscosity modifications. Cures at 320°F (160°C). PVC-free. OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, CPSIA, HR4040 compliant.

Price range: $24.99 through $299.99

Ink Size

5 Gallon
Gallon
Quart

Clear

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SKU: MAT Discharge Base DSM Category: CCI & Matsui Discharge Bases & White Inks Tags: 301DM water based ink discharge activator screen printing, best dual purpose water based discharge base cotton, dual function discharge base water based cotton screen printing, dual purpose water based discharge base screen printing, Matsui 301DM Base Neo Pigments, Matsui 301DM Discharge Binder, Matsui 301DM Discharge Binder Pantone color matching, Matsui 301DM dual purpose base screen printing, Matsui 301DM water based ink and discharge, water based discharge binder one base light dark cotton

Description

Matsui 301DM — One Base, Two Modes, Every Cotton Garment

Most shops stock two separate ink systems: water-based bases for light garments and discharge bases for dark garments. Two sets of products. Two sets of mixing protocols. Two separate inventories that take up shelf space and tie up capital.

301DM eliminates the split.

On light cotton (no activator): 301DM functions as a standard water-based mixing base. Mix with Neo Pigments for custom Pantone-matched colors. Print. Cure. The ink deposits as a soft, vibrant color layer on the fabric surface — identical to standard water-based printing.

On dark cotton (with activator): Add discharge activator (3-8%) to the same 301DM + Neo Pigment mix. Now it is a discharge ink. Print on dark garments. During curing, the activator chemically removes the garment dye and the Neo Pigment color replaces it — embedded into the fibers with zero hand feel.

Same base. Same pigments. Same Pantone formulas. Same container on the shelf. The activator is the only variable.

When 301DM Is the Right Choice — and When It Is Not

301DM IS the right choice when:

You print on both light and dark cotton and want ONE base for both
You want to simplify your inventory without sacrificing color quality
You print moderate volumes where inventory efficiency matters more than maximum discharge brightness
You want Neo Pigment Pantone matching across both light and dark garments with the same formulas

301DM is NOT the best choice when:

You need the BRIGHTEST possible discharge colors on dark garments → use Brite Discharge Base (dedicated discharge system produces brighter results)
You need halftone discharge at mesh above 160 → use HM Discharge Base (prints through 305 mesh)
You print exclusively on dark garments and want maximum discharge performance → use the dedicated Brite/HM discharge system

301DM is the generalist. Brite and HM are the specialists. The generalist handles both jobs well. The specialists handle their specific jobs better.

⚠️ The Discharge Rules (When Using Activator Mode)

100% cotton with reactive dyes ONLY. Discharge does not work on polyester or synthetic fibers.
Discharge activator (3-8%) REQUIRED for discharge mode. Without activator, 301DM functions as standard water-based only.
12-hour pot life once activated. Mix only what you need for dark garment production.
Cure 2-3 minutes at 320°F. Extended dwell for discharge chemistry.
Ventilation required. Discharge curing produces fumes.
Test garment before production. Discharge effectiveness varies by brand and dye lot.
On blends: Only cotton threads discharge. Polyester threads retain original color (distressed look).

The Matsui Discharge Product Guide — All Seven Products Compared

Product	Type	Color / Opacity	Max Mesh	Primary Use	Neo Pigments	Activator?	Best For
Brite Discharge Base	Discharge mixing base	Clear / neutral	305/inch	Custom color discharge. Brightest colors.	Up to 15%	YES (3-8%)	Brightest spot color discharge on dark cotton.
HM Discharge Base	Discharge mixing base	Clear / neutral	305/inch	Halftone and simulated process discharge.	Up to 15%	YES (3-8%)	Finest halftone detail on dark cotton.
301DM Base	DUAL-PURPOSE	Clear / neutral	160/inch	Water-based on lights (no activator) OR discharge on darks (with activator). Two modes, one product.	Up to 15%	OPTIONAL	One base for light AND dark cotton. Inventory simplification.
HM Discharge White	Premixed discharge white	Opaque white	305/inch	High mesh halftone white discharge.	Up to 15% (pastels)	YES (3-8%)	Softest halftone white at 305 mesh.
Brite Discharge Super 75	Pre-blended discharge white	Opaque white (75/25)	160/inch	Economical pre-blended discharge white.	Up to 15% (pastels)	YES (3-8%)	Budget-friendly bright white discharge.
Brite Discharge White	Discharge white — max brightness	Opaque white — highest pigment	160/inch	Brightest spot white discharge.	Up to 15% (pastels)	YES (3-8%)	Whitest white on dark cotton.
Alpha Trans White	HYBRID water-base/discharge	Translucent white	230/inch	Alpha Series hybrid system.	Alpha intermix	OPTIONAL (3-5%)	Alpha system. Pantone Color Book — no software.

Recommended Additives for 301DM Production

Additive	Dosage	Production Problem It Solves
Discharge Activator (Matsui or Printers Choice)	3-8%	⚠️ ONLY for discharge mode on dark cotton. Omit entirely for standard water-based mode on light garments. Enables discharge chemistry that removes garment dye. 12-hour pot life once added.
Retarder MG	1-5%	Ink drying in the screen — extends wet ink open time. Essential for discharge mode. Recommended for water-based mode on long runs.
Fixer WF-N	1-5%	Print fading after washing — crosslinks binder for improved wash fastness and color durability. Works in both water-based and discharge modes.
Softener MG	1-4%	Ink needs better fabric penetration — in discharge mode, helps activated ink reach garment dye deep in fibers. In water-based mode, enhances hand feel.
Thickener B	0.25-1%	Ink too thin for consistent deposit — increases viscosity for better coverage and dot control.
RV Additive	1-3%	Ink too thick for smooth printing — reduces viscosity for better flow.
Quick Additive	6-9%	All-in-one solution — pre-balanced blend of Retarder MG + Fixer WF-N + Softener MG. Works in both water-based and discharge modes. Recommended for most jobs.

Pro tip — mesh lubricant (discharge mode): Mix 30% Softener MG + 70% water in a spray bottle. Wipe on the ink side of the mesh before printing. Lubricates the mesh threads and prevents ink from sticking in the open areas.

Production best practices: Less ink is better on the screen. Add a small amount and continuously add fresh, hydrated ink during the run. Do not let discharge ink sit unused in the screen.

Browse the complete Matsui additive collection here.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Detail
Product Name	Matsui 301DM Discharge Binder
Type	Dual-purpose — water-based ink base (no activator) OR discharge base (with activator)
Color	Clear / neutral
Neo Pigments	Up to 15%
Activator	OPTIONAL — 3-8% for discharge mode only
Mesh	Up to 160/inch (62/cm)
Cure	320°F (160°C). 2-3 minutes for discharge mode.
Light Garments	100% cotton — standard water-based mode (no activator)
Dark Garments	⚠️ 100% cotton reactive dyes — discharge mode (with activator)
Compliance	OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, CPSIA, HR4040, PVC-free
Available Sizes	Quart, Gallon

Benefits at a Glance

Dual-purpose: standard water-based on light cotton OR discharge on dark cotton — one product, two modes
Activator is the only variable — add it for discharge, omit it for standard water-based
Mix with Neo Pigments (up to 15%) in both modes — same Pantone formulas for lights and darks
Simplifies inventory — one base replaces separate water-based and discharge bases
Ultra-soft hand feel in both modes
⚠️ Discharge mode: activator required, 12-hour pot life, 100% cotton reactive dyes only
PVC-free, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, CPSIA, HR4040 compliant

Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents

Matsui Discharge Binder 301DM Technical Data Sheet

Matsui Discharge Binder 301DM Safety Data Sheet

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How does 301DM work as both water-based and discharge?

Without activator, 301DM behaves as a standard water-based ink — deposits color on the fabric surface. With activator (3-8%), 301DM becomes a discharge ink — removes garment dye and replaces it with Neo Pigment color embedded in the fibers.

Is 301DM as bright as Brite Discharge Base on dark garments?

No — Brite Discharge Base is a dedicated discharge system that delivers brighter color results on dark garments. 301DM is the generalist — it handles both light and dark cotton well but does not match Brite’s maximum discharge brightness.

Can I print halftones with 301DM?

301DM prints through mesh up to 160/inch. For halftone discharge at higher mesh (230-305), use HM Discharge Base.

Do I need activator for printing on white shirts?

No — on light-colored garments, use 301DM as a standard water-based ink with no activator. Only add activator when printing on dark cotton in discharge mode.

What fabrics work in discharge mode?

⚠️ 100% cotton with reactive dyes only. Polyester does not discharge. On blends, only cotton threads discharge.

What is the pot life once I add activator?

~12 hours. Mix only what you need for dark garment production that day.

What additives should I use?

Quick Additive (6-9%) for most jobs. Or individually: Retarder MG (1-5%), Fixer WF-N (1-5%), Softener MG (1-4%).

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