Matsui Simple Clear | Ultra-Soft Ready-to-Use Water-Based Clear Base for High-Mesh Screen Printing and Custom Color Mixing

Matsui Simple Clear — One Base for Every Substrate

Most shops do not print exclusively on cotton or exclusively on performance fabrics. They print on whatever the client brings in. Monday is a run of 100% cotton tees. Tuesday is Dri-Fit polos. Wednesday is 50/50 blend hoodies. Thursday is polyester compression shirts.

The specialist bases in the Matsui system — 301C Clear for cotton, Stretch Clear for performance, EasyPrint Clear for high-mesh performance — are each optimized for their specific substrate and mesh range. They deliver the best results on their target substrate. But they require you to stock three or four different clears.

Simple Clear takes a different approach: one base that works on everything.

It is the economical version of Stretch Clear — with the same excellent elasticity and soft hand feel — but designed for the broadest possible substrate range at 160 mesh. Cotton, polyester, blends, Dri-Fit, performance fabrics, and high-stretch synthetics. One clear, one shelf spot, one mixing system for every garment that comes through your door.

The tradeoff is specialization. Simple Clear does not go to 305 mesh like 301C Clear on cotton. It does not produce the silicone-like finish of Stretch Clear. It does not resolve fine detail at 225 mesh like EasyPrint Clear. It is not the best at any one thing — it is good at everything. And for many shops, especially those getting started with water-based inks or those with diverse substrate mixes, “good at everything” is exactly the right strategy.

At a budget-friendly price point and with zero viscosity modifications required, Simple Clear simplifies the transition from plastisol to water-based. Stock one clear. Learn one base. Print on any garment. Graduate to specialist bases as your volume and substrate knowledge grow.

How Simple Clear Works with Matsui Neo Pigments and Glow Pigments

Simple Clear is a mixing base — it is the carrier that brings Matsui Neo Pigments and Glow Pigments to life on any substrate at a budget-friendly price. The mixing system works like this:

Simple Clear + Neo Pigments = Versatile Custom Colors on Any Substrate. Add up to 15% Matsui Neo Pigments (concentrated color pigments) to Simple Clear to create virtually any color in the Pantone spectrum — on cotton, polyester, blends, or performance fabrics. Standard mixing ratio is 5-10% pigment to base by weight. Matsui’s free cloud-based Color Mixer Software provides exact formulas — enter the Pantone number, get the pigment ratios, mix, print. The same mixed color works on Monday’s cotton tees and Tuesday’s Dri-Fit polos.

The Neo Pigment series includes a full spectrum of concentrated color pigments — reds, blues, greens, yellows, oranges, violets, blacks, and more — that intermix precisely for accurate Pantone matching. Because they are concentrated, a small amount goes a long way, keeping per-print ink cost low.

Simple Clear + Glow Pigments = Versatile Fluorescent Neon on Any Substrate. For high-impact specialty applications, mix Matsui Glow Pigments into Simple Clear to create vivid fluorescent neon prints on any substrate — cotton, performance, or blends — without switching bases. Important: Matsui Glow Pigments are fluorescent pigments — they produce ultra-bright, electric neon colors in normal daylight, not phosphorescent glow-in-the-dark effects. They do NOT glow on their own in the dark. However, fluorescent pigments are naturally UV/blacklight reactive — under blacklight (UV) illumination, they absorb UV energy and re-emit it as intensely bright visible light, creating a dramatic neon glow effect. Colors like fluorescent yellow, pink, orange, and green produce the most intense blacklight reaction. Ideal for event merchandise, fun run shirts, concert tees, festival merch, and any application across any substrate where garments will be worn under blacklight or UV lighting.

Simple Clear Alone = Tone-on-Tone Effects on Any Substrate. Print Simple Clear without any pigments for subtle tone-on-tone clear overprint effects on colored garments — cotton or performance. The print area changes texture without changing color.

Explore the full Matsui Neo Pigment and Glow Pigment collection here.

How Matsui Additives Improve Your Production with Simple Clear

The base and pigments create the color. Matsui additives optimize the production process — solving common water-based printing challenges that cost you time, money, and rejected garments.

The problem: Water-based ink dries in the screen during production pauses, forcing you to clean and re-flood. The additive solution: Retarder MG (1-5%) extends open time in the screen, giving you more working time between prints.

The problem: Prints fade or crack after repeated washing. The additive solution: Fixer WF-N (1-5%) crosslinks the acrylic binder for dramatically improved wash fastness. Also lowers cure temperature to 300°F (150°C).

The problem: The ink sits on top of fibers instead of bonding into them, affecting adhesion and hand feel. The additive solution: Softener MG (1-4%) helps the ink penetrate deeper into the garment for better adhesion and an even softer hand feel.

The problem: You want all three benefits but do not want to measure and mix three separate additives. The additive solution: Quick Additive (6-9%) is a pre-balanced all-in-one blend of Retarder MG, Fixer WF-N, and Softener MG. One additive, one measurement, all three production benefits.

Additional additives for specialized needs: Thickener B (0.25-1%) increases viscosity for halftone dot control. RV Additive (1-3%) reduces viscosity for better flow and fabric penetration.

Browse the complete Matsui additive collection here.

Where Simple Clear Fits — Every Matsui Base, Side by Side

Matsui makes twelve different clear bases and mixing bases. Each one is designed to be mixed with Neo Pigments and Glow Pigments and enhanced with Matsui additives. The base you choose determines the substrate, mesh range, opacity, elasticity, and finish. The pigments determine the color. The additives optimize the process.

Simple Clear occupies the versatile generalist position — the only Matsui clear that combines multi-substrate compatibility (cotton through performance), excellent elasticity, up to 15% Neo Pigment loading, and an economy price point in a single base. It is the starting point for shops transitioning to water-based and the one-base solution for diverse substrate mixes.

The Complete Matsui Water-Based Base & Clear Comparison — All 12 Bases, Side by Side

All acrylic bases above are compatible with the full Matsui Neo Pigment and Glow Pigment series and the complete Matsui additive lineup. Polyurethane 350 Series bases use Fixer V instead of Fixer WF-N.

Simple Clear vs. Stretch Clear — Multi-Substrate Generalist vs. Performance Specialist

The most common question: if Simple Clear is the economical version of Stretch Clear, when do I need the original?

The bottom line: Simple Clear is the starter and the generalist. Stretch Clear is the performance specialist with the silicone-like finish. Simple Clear covers more substrates at a lower price. Stretch Clear delivers a premium finish on stretch garments at a higher mesh range. Many shops start with Simple Clear and add Stretch Clear (and other specialists) as their water-based volume and expertise grow.

Simple Clear vs. Extender Base — Multi-Substrate Economy vs. Cotton Economy

The bottom line: Two different economy strategies. Simple Clear is the multi-substrate generalist with stretch — works on everything at 160 mesh. Extender Base is the cotton specialist — highest mesh (305) for the softest deposit on cotton, not stretch-rated, limited to 10% pigment. Choose Simple Clear for diverse substrates. Choose Extender Base for cotton-only at maximum softness.

Why Screen Printers Choose Simple Clear

“I print on cotton, poly, blends, and Dri-Fit — I need one clear that works on everything.”
This is the core Simple Clear use case. One base, one shelf spot, one mixing system for every substrate that comes through your door. Mix with up to 15% Matsui Neo Pigments using Matsui’s Color Mixer Software for exact Pantone formulas. The same mixed color works on Monday’s cotton tees and Tuesday’s Dri-Fit polos.

“I am transitioning from plastisol to water-based and do not want to stock five different clears.”
Simple Clear is the ideal starting base. Stock one clear. Learn one base. Print on any garment. As your water-based volume grows and you identify which substrates dominate your production, add specialist bases — 301C Clear for cotton, Stretch Clear for performance — where the premium formulation justifies the investment.

“I need a budget-friendly clear with stretch for Dri-Fit and athletic work.”
Simple Clear delivers excellent elasticity at an economy price point. It is essentially an economical version of Stretch Clear — same stretch-rated elasticity, same additive compatibility, but without the silicone-like finish.

“I want fluorescent neon prints across different substrates without switching bases.”
Mix Matsui Glow Pigments into Simple Clear for budget-friendly fluorescent neon on cotton, performance, or blends. These pigments are naturally UV/blacklight reactive — they glow intensely under blacklight illumination. One base, one neon mix, any substrate.

“My water-based ink keeps drying in the screen during production.”
Add Retarder MG at 1-5% to extend open time. Or use Quick Additive at 6-9% for open time, wash fastness, and softness in one shot. Browse all Matsui additives here.

“When should I upgrade to a specialist base?”
Upgrade when you notice that a specific substrate dominates your production and the specialist base would deliver noticeably better results. If 70% of your work is cotton, add 301C Clear for softer prints at 305 mesh. If 70% is performance, add Stretch Clear for the silicone-like finish. Keep Simple Clear for the remaining diverse work.

Key Features

• Broadest Substrate Range in the Matsui Lineup: Cotton, polyester, blends, Dri-Fit, performance fabrics — one base for everything. No other Matsui clear covers this many substrates with stretch.
• Economy Pricing: Budget-friendly price point that makes sense for high-volume multi-substrate shops and shops transitioning from plastisol.
• Excellent Elasticity: Stretch-rated for Dri-Fit, Lycra, athletic wear, and high-stretch performance fabrics — essentially an economical Stretch Clear.
• Full Color Creation with Neo Pigments: Mix with up to 15% Matsui Neo Pigments for Pantone-accurate custom colors on any substrate. Use Matsui’s cloud-based Color Mixer Software for exact formulas.
• Fluorescent Neon & Blacklight-Reactive Capability with Glow Pigments: Mix with Matsui Glow Pigments for vivid fluorescent neon colors that are naturally UV/blacklight reactive — on any substrate.
• Soft Hand Feel: Provides softness that PVC inks cannot achieve, enhancing garment comfort across all substrates.
• Production-Optimized with Matsui Additives: Compatible with the full Matsui additive lineup — Retarder MG for open time, Fixer WF-N for wash fastness, Softener MG for fabric penetration, or Quick Additive for all three in one shot.
• Ideal Plastisol-to-Water-Based Transition Base: One clear, one learning curve, every substrate covered.
• Compatible with Dark Polyester (with Blocker): Usable on polyester with an Under Base Blocker.
• Zero Viscosity Modifications Required: Prints straight from the container.
• PVC-Free and Eco-Friendly: Environmentally safe. Free of PVC.

Recommended Additives for Simple Clear Production

Browse the complete Matsui additive collection here.