Printing with Matsui 301 Metallic Base - any advice?
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Printing with Matsui 301 Metallic Base - any advice?
Printing with Matsui 301 Metallic Base - any advice?
I'll be printing black aprons with Matsui 301 water-based Metallic Base (silver). I've never used the Matsui metallic inks and was hoping someone out there could give me some advice.
I plan on using 110 mesh for the silver and printing it on a white underbase. Is 110 low enough for the Matsui metallic base (or too high...)?
I have both Matsui HO 301 White and Matsui RC 301 Trans White as potentials for the underbase - which should I use, or is an underbase even necessary with the metallic base? It seems pretty thick.
Re: Printing with Matsui 301 Metallic Base - any advice?
When we print with the matsui metalic base we use a 110 with a 1-2 coating. I put 5% lubricant and 10% penetrant to lossen it up and keep it from drying. Are the aprons 100% cotton? if so than you can discharge with it also. I Mix 40% discharge and 60% metalic base and then charge, Your ink will get very thin after mixing so be carful about it dripping through screen. During production runs we do not keep the screen flooded for this reason.
If the aprons are not discharge friendy you will need an underbase, but I have no expierience with that. Our shop would suggest plastisol at that point
Re: Printing with Matsui 301 Metallic Base - any advice?
Thanks for the info Kevin. I have no experience with discharge (though I want to eventually move towards that) so I won't be using it on this job. They are not 100% cotton - they are a cotton/poly blend.
Based on your info, the 110 is fine. So now my only remaining questions have to do with the underbase. Anyone have any suggestions as to which I should use - HO White or RC Trans White? And then, what mesh for that? I generally use 156 for the HO and 195 for the RC when doing white on dark prints. Also, would one pass be enough for the underbase, or would I need to do a P-F-P?
Re: Printing with Matsui 301 Metallic Base - any advice?
Hi James
The 301 Metallic Base is a fairly dense particle suspension ink;
as a result, the opacity on its own is quite good through a 110t w/multiple passes, and an 81t-92t works even better:
If you wish to prime and brighten the apron area to print, use the RC Trans white instead of the HO 301W which will tend to be a bit overkill.
It should be printed through a 180t+ and might not even require flashing prior to the metallic via 110t if you make sure not to print the priming layer too heavy;
the intent is lightly putting down a "whitewash" layer to lighten and slightly seal the ground in this case,
and properly adjusted moderate squeegee pressure will not drive the metallic into the primed layer.
Have you ever used their 301M Matte White Base?
It's a nice flashable underlay for the metallic (if you have a more textured or absorbent substrate)
and is midway between the HO and Trans White in pigment load and viscosity.
Re: Printing with Matsui 301 Metallic Base - any advice?
Wow! Thanks for the plethora of info Screen Outlaw!
I thought the HO would be overkill I've read about the 301M Matte White, but I have yet to try it out. I don't have the time to get it for this job, but I'm sure I'll be purchasing it soon.
After all this great info, my plan now is to burn a 110 for the silver and a 195 for the trans white. I'll do some tests without an underbase and then with the underbase and see what looks best (or if there's even a significant difference).
Re: Printing with Matsui 301 Metallic Base - any advice?
I just did a few runs with the metallic 301 base. On one job I used a 110 coating 2 coats wet on wet front and back, followed by an additional coat on the shirt side after the first coat dries. On the other it was a 1:1 and i just printed it twice wet on wet. I tried printing through a 140 once and it was doable but took a few passes to clear the screen. I have not used an underbase but got good opacity before and after wash on both aqua and navy AA shirts. Since you are printing on black aprons the discharge mix sounds like a good idea. I guess I'd prefer it since I would much rather mix up some ink than have to print an underbase. It would be great to see some pictures with whichever underbase you use.
Re: Printing with Matsui 301 Metallic Base - any advice?
Thanks Dave!
I just found out that the client changed to a medium blue apron (close to reflex blue), so maybe I won't need the underbase after all. Luckily I have some medium blue test squares to test on.
Re: Printing with Matsui 301 Metallic Base - any advice?
Thanks for your help everyone!
The "COFFEE CREAMER" text did come out well, but there's some slight detail loss on the TM and R marks - though they're both MUCH clearer than I expected using 110.
This is a discussion about Printing with Matsui 301 Metallic Base - any advice? that was posted in the Plastisol Ink Screen Printing section of the forums.
Printing with Matsui 301 Metallic Base - any advice? 
I've read about the 301M Matte White, but I have yet to try it out. I don't have the time to get it for this job, but I'm sure I'll be purchasing it soon.
