CCI W-Base Water-Based Ink | EnviroLine® Clear Mixing Base for CCI CMS Color System & Pigment Concentrates — Vivid Custom Colors with Soft Hand on Cotton
CCI
CCI W-Base (EnviroLine®) is the clear acrylic mixing base for the CCI CMS water-based color system — the carrier into which CCI CMS pigment concentrates are mixed at a 10% pigment to 90% base ratio to create any custom water-based color for screen printing on light and medium cotton and 50/50 blend garments. W-Base produces vivid, soft-hand prints with excellent wash durability. Phthalate-free, APEO/NPEO-free, PVC-free. Cure at 320°F. Mesh 86–305. Compatible with CCI CMS Color Management Software at cci-cms.com.
💻 To use: Go to cci-cms.com, select “W-Base,” enter your Pantone code. Add the specified pigment percentages to 90% W-Base. Mix. Print.
✓Clear Mixing Base for CCI CMS Pigment Concentrates
✓10% Pigment + 90% W-Base = Any Pantone Color
✓Vivid Color + Ultra-Soft Hand on Cotton
✓Phthalate-Free, APEO/NPEO-Free, PVC-Free
✓Mesh 86–305/inch
✓Cure 320°F / 90 Seconds
🚚 FREE Shipping on orders over $200|📦 In-Stock: Usually ships same or next business day|🏪 Free In-Store Pickup · San Antonio, TX
Price range: $24.99 through $279.99
Description
CCI W-Base — The Foundation of CCI CMS Water-Based Color Matching
W-Base is the carrier — the foundation that every CCI CMS color is built on for standard water-based printing. Mix any CCI CMS pigment concentrate into W-Base at the ratios specified by the CCI Color Management Software, and you can match any Pantone color in the system precisely. W-Base provides excellent printability, soft hand feel, and wash durability out of the box. It is the standard base for light and medium garments in a water-based workflow — paired with CCI D-Base (Discharge Base) for dark cotton printing.
Key Features
🎨
Universal CCI CMS Carrier
W-Base is the clear acrylic carrier for all 14 CCI CMS pigment concentrates. Mix pigments into W-Base at the ratios specified by the CCI CMS software to create any Pantone color for water-based screen printing.
💻
Software-Driven Color Accuracy
At cci-cms.com, select W-Base and enter any Pantone code to get the exact pigment formula — specific percentages for each CCI CMS pigment. Consistent, repeatable color every time.
🤲
Ultra-Soft Hand Feel
The acrylic resin system produces vivid color with a soft, breathable hand feel — significantly softer than plastisol. W-Base integrates ink into fabric fibers rather than sitting on the surface.
🌿
EnviroLine® Eco-Friendly
Phthalate-free, APEO/NPEO-free, PVC-free. EnviroLine® certification for eco-conscious production programs, children’s apparel, and sustainability-committed brand clients.
📐
Broad Mesh Range
86–305/inch mesh compatibility. Use coarser mesh (86–110) for heavy opacity; fine mesh (200–305) for halftone and detail work.
🔧
Adjustable with Additives
Add WB-Retarder (up to 5%) for extended open time on long runs. The base is ready-to-print as mixed — no other modifications required for standard production.
💻 How to Mix a CCI CMS Color — Step by Step
- Go to cci-cms.com — the free CCI Color Management Software.
- Select your color system: W-Base (standard water-based) or Discharge Base (for dark cotton discharge printing).
- Enter your target Pantone code. The software returns the exact pigment percentages for each CCI CMS concentrate.
- Weigh your target ink batch on a gram scale. The standard ratio is 10% pigment to 90% base — do not exceed 30% total pigment.
- Add each pigment concentrate at the specified percentages. Mix thoroughly with a spatula or drill mixer.
- Print a test swatch on your actual garment. Cure fully. Compare to your Pantone swatch. Adjust if needed. Run production.
Calculation example: 800g batch at 10% pigment = 80g pigment + 720g base. If the CMS formula calls for 37.5% Yellow in the formula, move the decimal one place left: use 3.75% Yellow in a 10% pigment mix = 30g Yellow out of your 80g total pigment.
When to Use W-Base vs. D-Base (Discharge Base)
✅ Use W-Base when:
- Printing on light or medium garments
- Cotton, 50/50 blends, or polyester (with blocker)
- Standard water-based workflow (no discharge chemistry)
- Any garment color where discharge is not needed
⚡ Use CCI D-Base when:
- Printing on dark 100% cotton (navy, black, etc.)
- Discharge printing for ultra-soft hand feel
- Select Discharge Base in CCI CMS software for formula
- Add Discharge Activator 3–6% before printing
The Complete CCI CMS Pigment Lineup — All 14 Colors
W-Base is the carrier. These 14 pigments are the color system — mix them into W-Base at the ratios the CCI CMS software specifies:
| CCI CMS Pigment | Role in the System |
|---|---|
| Yellow | Primary yellow. Warm-tone anchor for all yellow, orange, gold, and green formulas. |
| Orange | Primary orange. Bridges yellow and red families. |
| Warm Red | Warm, orange-leaning red. Covers coral, warm red, and terracotta formulas. |
| Red 032 | True primary red. Balanced center of the red spectrum. |
| Rubine Red | Cool, blue-leaning red / crimson. Deep reds, burgundy, and maroon. |
| Rhodamine Red | Bright pink-red / magenta. Hot pink, fuchsia, and all pink formulas. |
| Purple | Primary purple. Red-leaning. All Pantone purple and orchid formulas. |
| Violet | Deep blue-violet. Violet, indigo, and blue-purple formulas. |
| Blue 072 | Bright vivid blue / ultramarine. Sports and corporate blue formulas. |
| Reflex Blue | Vivid blue. Common in corporate branding (Pepsi, Ford, etc.). |
| Process Blue | Cyan / process blue. Sky blue, teal, aqua, and CMYK cyan. |
| Green | Primary green. All Pantone green, forest, and teal-green formulas. |
| Black | Mixing black. Darkens, shades, and mutes other colors. Also standalone spot black. |
| White | Mixing white. Lightens and pastelizes other pigments. High-opacity opacifier. |
CCI CMS vs. Matsui Systems — Choosing the Right Platform
| Feature | CCI CMS (This System) | Matsui Alpha (RFU) | Matsui Neo Pigments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Highly concentrated pigments — MUST be mixed into a CCI base (W-Base, D-Base, etc.) | Ready-for-use (RFU) complete inks — print straight from the bucket, no base needed | Concentrated pigments — MUST be mixed into a separate Matsui base |
| Color Matching | CCI Color Management Software at cci-cms.com — enter Pantone code, get formula instantly | Pantone Formula Guide book — formulas printed in the book, no software needed | CMS Software — Matsui Color Mixer software required |
| Discharge Capable | YES — use CCI Discharge Base + activator | YES (Alpha only) — add Discharge Activator 3–8% | YES — when mixed into a discharge base + activator |
| Max Mesh | 86–305/inch (varies by base) | Up to 230/inch (Alpha) | Up to 305+ (varies by base) |
| Best For | Shops wanting software-driven precision color matching. Broad base flexibility — acrylic, discharge, specialty. High volume custom color production. | Simplest workflow. No software needed. Print RFU from the bucket. No base inventory. | Maximum base flexibility (20+ finish options). CMS precision. High mesh capability. |
Questions about the CCI CMS system?
Call us at (512) 454-0505 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm CT
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Name | CCI W-Base Water-Based Ink (EnviroLine®) |
| Type | Clear acrylic mixing base for CCI CMS pigment concentrates |
| Role | Carrier for the CCI Color Management System — mixes with CCI CMS pigments to create any custom water-based color |
| Color Matching | CCI Color Management Software — cci-cms.com |
| Standard Mix Ratio | 10% CCI CMS pigment(s) to 90% W-Base by weight |
| Maximum Pigment Load | 30% total by weight across all pigments in a formula |
| Discharge Capable | NO — use CCI D-Base (Discharge Base) for discharge printing on dark cotton |
| Substrates | 100% cotton, 50/50 blends. With appropriate blocker: polyester and blends on dark garments. |
| Mesh Range | 86–305/inch |
| Cure Temperature | 320°F (160°C) for 90 seconds minimum |
| Squeegee | 70–80 durometer, 45° angle |
| Recommended Emulsions | WR-14, WR-25, or Absolute water-resistant emulsions |
| Open Time Additive | WB-Retarder at up to 5% to extend open time |
| Cleanup | CCI Envirosolv or soap and water |
| Storage | 65°F to 95°F (18°C to 35°C). Keep sealed. Away from direct sunlight. |
| Formulation | EnviroLine® — Phthalate-free, APEO/NPEO-free, PVC-free |
| Available Sizes | Quart, Gallon |
| Technical Documents | CCI CMS Technical Data Sheet |
Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is CCI W-Base and what is it for?
W-Base is the clear acrylic carrier base for the CCI Color Management System. You mix CCI CMS pigment concentrates into W-Base at the ratios specified by the software at cci-cms.com to create any custom Pantone-matched water-based ink for screen printing. W-Base is for standard water-based printing on light and medium garments.
How do I use the CCI CMS software with W-Base?
Go to cci-cms.com, select “W-Base” as your color system, and enter your target Pantone code. The software returns the exact percentage of each CCI CMS pigment needed. Weigh your batch, add pigments at those percentages to 90% W-Base, mix thoroughly, and print.
Can I use W-Base for dark garment printing?
W-Base prints on top of the fabric surface — it is not a discharge ink. On dark garments, use W-Base inks over a white underbase (with appropriate dye migration blocker underneath). For discharge printing on dark 100% cotton, use CCI D-Base (Discharge Base) instead. Select Discharge Base in the CCI CMS software for the correct discharge formula.
What is the difference between W-Base and D-Base?
W-Base is a standard acrylic base for water-based printing on light and medium garments — it prints on top of the fabric surface. D-Base (Discharge Base) contains discharge chemistry — when activated with Discharge Activator (3–6%), it removes garment dye and replaces it with ink pigment embedded in the cotton fiber. D-Base is used for dark 100% cotton printing for an ultra-soft hand.
How much pigment do I add to W-Base?
Standard ratio: 10% pigment to 90% W-Base by weight. Do not exceed 30% total pigment. For an 800g batch: 80g pigment + 720g W-Base. The CCI CMS software gives you each individual pigment’s percentage within the formula — convert by dividing by 10 for a 10% total pigment mix.
What emulsion should I use with W-Base inks?
Use a water-resistant emulsion — CCI recommends WR-14, WR-25, or Absolute emulsions. Standard water-soluble emulsions will break down under water-based inks and cause stencil failure during long runs.
Questions about the CCI CMS system?
Call us at (512) 454-0505 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm CT
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