Matsui 301M Matte White | Semi-Opaque High-Mesh Water-Based Matte Mixing Base for Custom Colors on Colored Cotton Screen Printing

Matsui

Matsui 301M Matte White is a water-based, PVC-free semi-opaque mixing base that prints through high mesh for an ultra-soft, matte hand. Add up to 15% Neo Pigments to build thousands of custom, Pantone-accurate colors — and because it’s semi-opaque, those colors stay visible on light, medium and dark cotton where a clear base would disappear.

Semi-opaque base
Colors show on dark cotton

Ultra-soft matte hand
Softer than PVC can achieve

Mix any color
Up to 15% Neo Pigments

PVC-free & certified
OEKO-TEX 100, CPSIA, HR4040

Quart, gallon, 5-gallon pail & 55-gallon drum. Need a custom Pantone match? Call 512-454-0505.

Price range: $29.99 through $3,199.99

Size

Quart
Gallon
5 Gallon Pail
55 Gallon Drum

Clear

Description

Matsui 301M Matte White Water-Based Mixing Base

Matsui 301M is the base water-based printers reach for when they need a soft, matte custom color that actually shows up on colored garments. It’s a semi-opaque, high-mesh mixing base with a milky appearance: add up to 15% Neo Pigments and you can match thousands of Pantone colors, then print them through fine mesh for the softest hand achievable in textile screen printing — something PVC plastisol simply can’t do. It’s PVC-free and environmentally safe, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, and CPSIA / HR4040 compliant, so it’s ready for kids’ wear and brand-compliant work.

Why Printers Choose 301M

Shows on dark fabric

Semi-opaque, so mixed colors stay visible on medium and dark cotton where a transparent base disappears.

Softest matte hand

Prints through 305 mesh for a barely-there, matte feel PVC inks can’t match.

Endless colors

Add up to 15% Neo Pigments for thousands of Pantone-accurate custom shades.

Clean & compliant

PVC-free, OEKO-TEX 100, CPSIA & HR4040 — washes up with water and mild soap.

Which Matsui Base Should You Use?

A quick guide to Matsui’s water-based bases — pick by finish, opacity and fabric. Click any base to shop it.

Matsui base	Finish & hand	Opacity	Best for
301M Matte White THIS PAGE	Matte, ultra-soft	Semi-opaque	Custom colors that show on light, medium & dark cotton
301C Clear	Matte, soft	Transparent	Bright custom colors on white & light garments
EasyPrint MAT 301	Matte, soft	Ready to print	Fast matte prints with no mixing
Soft-Tex Base 350	Ultra-soft	Transparent	The softest possible fashion-soft hand
Extender Base	Soft	Transparent	Extending & softening colors, reducing cost
Stretch Mat 301	Matte, stretchy	Semi-opaque	Performance & stretch fabrics

Rule of thumb: printing custom color on dark shirts → use the semi-opaque 301M so the color stays visible; printing on white/light → a transparent base like 301C keeps colors brightest. Click any base to shop it.

Mixing & Additive Guide

301M is built to be tuned. Here’s what to add and how much for color, open time, wash fastness and viscosity.

Add-in	Amount	What it does
Neo Pigments	up to 15%	Add color — mix thousands of Pantone-accurate shades
Retarder MG	1–5%	Adds open time so ink won’t dry in the screen
Fixer WF-N	1–5%	Boosts wash fastness / durability
Softener MG	1–4%	Helps the ink penetrate into the garment for a softer hand
Thickener B	0.25–1%	Thickens the ink for better control
RV Additive	1–3%	Reduces viscosity / thins the ink

Always mix in clean vessels with clean blades — contamination from other inks can make a PVC-free ink test positive for restricted PVCs. Need help dialing in a color? Let us mix your Pantone match.

Printing Guide

On press

Mesh: 110–305 (up to 305 for the softest hand)
Squeegee: medium hardness, sharp blade, 45°, medium speed
Low wet & after-flash tack; excellent printability
Emulsion: direct or indirect

Flash, cure & care

Flash: 160°F (71°C)
Cure: 320°F (160°C)
Clean-up: water and mild soap
Store 65–95°F, out of direct sun; can be dry-cleaned or ironed

Keep it clean. Mix 301M in clean vessels with clean blades and utensils. Contamination from other ink sources or non-approved additives could make it test positive for restricted PVCs.

Pairs Well With

Matsui 301C Clear

Transparent base for bright colors on white & light garments.

Neo Pigments & Pantone Mixing

Add color, or let us mix your exact Pantone match.

Matsui Kombat Black

High-opacity water-based black to pair with your colors.

Shop All Matsui

Bases, blacks, additives & specialty water-based inks.

Why Buy From River City Supply?

Real printers. Real support. Genuine Matsui ink.

Water-based specialists

We print water-based every day — call (512) 454-0505 for mixing help.

Custom Pantone matching

We can mix 301M to your exact color so you don’t have to.

Quart to 55-gallon drum

Sample it or stock a production line.

Fast shipping

Same-day shipping on in-stock orders before 3:30 PM CT; free shipping over $200.

Call (512) 454-0505

Technical Specifications

Matsui 301M – Technical Specifications

Brand	Matsui
Product	301M Matte White (WS0463)
Type	Water-based, PVC-free semi-opaque mixing base
Surface appearance	Matte
Color range	Milky (add up to 15% Neo Pigments)
Opacity / Viscosity	Low / Low (semi-opaque)
Wet ink tack	Low
After-flash tack	Low
Printability	Excellent — no viscosity modification needed
Bleed resistance	None (use a blocker/underlay on bleeders)
Flash temperature	160°F (71°C)
Cure temperature	320°F (160°C)
Mesh count	110–305 threads/in (43–120/cm)
Squeegee	Medium hardness, sharp blade, 45°, medium speed
Underlay	301 Series
Emulsion	Direct or indirect
Thinner / Thickener	RV Additive / Thickener B
Substrate	Cotton — light, medium & dark fabrics
Clean-up	Water and mild soap or detergent
Storage	65–95°F (18–35°C), avoid direct sun
Certifications	OEKO-TEX Standard 100, CPSIA, HR4040; PVC-free
Sizes	Quart, gallon, 5-gallon pail, 55-gallon drum

From the Matsui TDS (WS0463). Always test cure with a probe and run a wash test on your exact fabric before production.

Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents

Matsui 301M Technical Data Sheet

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Matsui 301M – Frequently Asked Questions

Is 301M a finished white or a mixing base?

It’s a semi-opaque mixing base with a milky appearance — add up to 15% Neo Pigments to make custom colors. Printed on its own it lays down a soft, matte semi-opaque white.

Will mixed colors show on dark shirts?

Yes — that’s the point of 301M. Because it’s semi-opaque, colors stay visible on medium and dark cotton, unlike a transparent base such as 301C Clear which is best on white and light garments.

How soft is it?

Very — printed through high mesh (up to 305) it produces one of the softest hands in textile screen printing, softer than any PVC plastisol can achieve.

Is it really PVC-free?

Yes — it’s water-based, PVC-free and environmentally safe, and it’s OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified plus CPSIA and HR4040 compliant. Just mix in clean vessels so it isn’t contaminated by PVC inks.

What temperature does it cure at?

Cure at 320°F (160°C); flash at 160°F (71°C). Always confirm full cure with a temperature probe and a wash test.

What additives can I use?

Neo Pigments (up to 15%) for color, Retarder MG (1–5%) for open time, Fixer WF-N (1–5%) for wash fastness, Softener MG (1–4%) for a softer hand, Thickener B (0.25–1%) to thicken, and RV Additive (1–3%) to thin. See the mixing table above.

What mesh and squeegee should I use?

Print through 110–305 mesh (higher for a softer hand) with a medium-hardness, sharp squeegee at 45° and medium speed. No viscosity changes needed for good printability.

What sizes can I buy?

Quart, gallon, 5-gallon pail and 55-gallon drum. Want it pre-mixed to a Pantone color? We can mix it for you — or call (512) 454-0505.

Need a custom color or mixing help?

Our water-based team can mix your Pantone match or walk you through additives.

Call (512) 454-0505

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Matsui 301M Matte White | Semi-Opaque High-Mesh Water-Based Matte Mixing Base for Custom Colors on Colored Cotton Screen Printing

Description

Matsui 301M Matte White Water-Based Mixing Base