Matsui Hydrochromic White | Water-Based Disappearing Ink for Screen Printing — Visible When Dry, Invisible When Wet for Interactive Activewear, Gym Apparel & Novelty Prints

Matsui Hydrochromic White Technical Data Sheet

What does Hydrochromic White do?

It is a moisture-reactive disappearing ink. When dry, it appears as a normal opaque white print. When the garment gets wet from sweat, water, rain, or humidity, the white becomes transparent and disappears. When the fabric dries, the white reappears. This cycle repeats indefinitely for the life of the garment.

What is the difference between Hydrochromic White and Phantom Clear?

They are opposite effects. Hydrochromic White is visible when dry and disappears when wet. Phantom Clear is invisible when dry and appears when wet. Hydrochromic White is a white ink that turns transparent. Phantom Clear is a clear, water-resistant ink that reveals itself against the darkened wet fabric around it. If you want something to disappear, use Hydrochromic White. If you want something to appear, use Phantom Clear.

Can I hide a design under Hydrochromic White and reveal it when wet?

Yes — this is the conceal-and-reveal technique. Print your colored design with standard Matsui inks, flash it, then print Hydrochromic White over the top as the final layer. When dry, the white conceals the design. When wet, the white disappears and the colored design is revealed.

Can I tint Hydrochromic White with Neo Pigments?

Yes — tint it with Neo Pigments to create pastel disappearing colors. When dry, the tinted Hydrochromic White appears as a pastel tone. When wet, the white carrier vanishes but the Neo Pigment color remains, so the pastel shifts to a more saturated, deeper version of the color.

What fabrics does Hydrochromic White work on?

Cotton, polyester, nylon, and blended fabrics. The effect is most dramatic on colored garments where the garment color shows through when the white disappears.

Does the effect wear off?

No — the moisture-reactive property is built into the ink chemistry. The disappearing and reappearing cycle repeats indefinitely. It works the first time and the hundredth time.

Can I combine Hydrochromic White and Phantom Clear on the same garment?

Yes — this creates a dual-effect design. Elements printed with Hydrochromic White disappear when wet, while elements printed with Phantom Clear appear when wet. One design vanishes while another appears on the same garment at the same time.

What mesh count should I use?

Up to 110/inch (43/cm). Lower mesh deposits more ink for a more opaque white when dry and a more dramatic disappearing effect when wet.

What additives should I use with Hydrochromic White?

Use Retarder MG at 1–5% for open time, Fixer WF-N at 1–5% for wash fastness, and Softener MG at 1–4% for penetration. Browse all Matsui additives here.

What triggers the effect — only water or also sweat?

Any moisture can trigger it — sweat, water, rain, humidity, or splashes. Sweat is the most common trigger for gym and activewear applications, which is what makes this ink so effective for workout apparel.

Is Hydrochromic White safe?

Yes. It is PVC-free and formulated in accordance with OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, CPSIA, and HR4040 requirements. It is environmentally safe.

What is the best application for Hydrochromic White?

Gym and workout apparel where sweat reveals hidden designs, novelty and interactive merchandise, concert and festival tees activated by rain, promotional items with surprise elements, and any application where moisture-triggered interactivity adds value and shareability.

Can I print Hydrochromic White on a white garment?

Technically yes, but the effect is minimal. White on white has almost no visual contrast when dry, and when wet there is nothing to reveal. The effect works best on colored garments where the garment color becomes visible when the white disappears.