TW 5504 Flat Blue Shade Red Water-Based Poster Ink Cool, Blue-Lean Red for Poster & Flat Stock Screen Printing
TW Graphics
TW 5504 Blue Shade Red is a cool, deep crimson water-based screen printing ink from the TW 5500 Flat Series — a red with a distinct blue/purple undertone that makes it the most sophisticated and process-compatible red in the standard TW 5500 lineup. Fine art serigraph studios, concert poster shops working in refined palettes, and simulated-process printing operations order TW 5504 when red needs to stay cool, deep, and clean rather than warm or orange. Available in quart and gallon, in stock at River City Supply.
✓ Purple Mixing Base
✓ Process-Compatible Red
✓ Flat / Matte Finish
✓ Press Ready
✓ Made in USA
🚚 Same-Day Shipping Before 3:30 PM CT | Free Shipping Over $200 | Stocked in San Antonio, TX
Price range: $84.99 through $244.21
Description
TW Graphics — TW 5500 Flat Series — Water-Based Poster Ink
TW 5504 Flat Blue Shade Red — Water-Based Poster Ink
TW 5504 Flat Blue Shade Red is a cool, deep crimson-leaning red — the red in the TW 5500 lineup that sits closest to process magenta in character, making it the preferred choice for fine art serigraph work, sophisticated poster palettes, and any job where red needs to stay clean and cool rather than warm and orange. Its blue undertone gives it exceptional overprint behavior with purples and violets. Pigmented with automotive-grade colorants for up to 3 years of indoor light-fastness, press ready, and formulated for the full range of flat-stock specialty substrates.
Key Features
Deep Cool Crimson Character
TW 5504 reads as a rich, cool-leaning crimson in full coverage — a red that has purple depth and weight rather than warm energy. It’s the red for refined poster palettes, gallery serigraph work, and any design where sophistication matters more than heat.
Premier Purple Mixing Red
The blue bias in TW 5504 makes it the best red in the TW 5500 lineup for building clean purples and violets. Mix with TW 5507 Violet for extraordinary deep purples. Mix with TW 5505 Magenta for rich, warm magentas. Warm reds simply cannot build these colors as cleanly.
Rich Flat Finish
TW 5500 Series inks cure to a controlled flat/matte surface that eliminates glare, enhances color depth under gallery and stage lighting, and gives printed pieces a premium hand-pulled serigraph feel.
Press Ready
Supplied press-ready for most applications. Stir well and print. Additives available for specific conditions but not required for standard runs.
Multi-Substrate Adhesion
Adheres to polystyrene, Tyvek®, Tedlar®, polycarbonate, treated polyesters, pressure-sensitive vinyl, and aircraft interior panels — the full flat-stock and specialty print substrate range.
Fast, Clean Cleanup
Water-based chemistry means screens clean with water. No harsh solvents, no hazardous waste from the ink itself. Faster between-run cleanup than solvent systems.
Color Character & On-Press Behavior
Understanding how TW 5504 Blue Shade Red behaves on press — not just what it looks like in the bucket — is what separates professional poster printers from the rest.
Color Bias & Character
Cool — strong blue/purple undertone. Reads as deep crimson. The most process-adjacent standard red in the 5500 lineup.
Mixing Potential
Pairs with TW 5507 Violet and TW 5508 Red Shade Blue for clean purples and magentas. Combine with TW 5521 White for cool rose pinks. Not ideal for warm orange mixing.
Halftone Performance
Excellent halftone behavior. Its cool bias keeps halftone shadows clean — no unwanted warmth creeping into dark tones. Ideal for simulated process work.
Print Sequence
Print after yellow. Works beautifully underneath TW 5507 Violet for deep, luminous purples in fine art serigraph editions.
Who Prints with TW 5504 Blue Shade Red?
🌟 Fine Art Serigraph Studios
Gallery-quality serigraph editions demand reds that stay cool and refined under gallery lighting. TW 5504’s deep crimson character holds its spectral integrity across long limited-edition runs and builds the sophisticated secondary colors — purples, magentas — that gallery work often requires.
🎤 Concert & Gig Poster Shops (Refined Palettes)
Shops producing band posters in sophisticated, refined palettes rather than high-energy warm schemes reach for TW 5504 as the red anchor of dark, moody, purple-adjacent color builds.
📋 Corporate & Institutional Signage Printers
Corporate identity printing often requires reds that are clean, authoritative, and cool rather than warm and energetic. TW 5504 delivers the dignified crimson character that institutional applications demand on nameplates, polycarbonate panels, and pressure-sensitive vinyl.
🎓 Art Schools & Process Printing Programs
Simulated-process and process-adjacent printing programs use TW 5504 as the red component in CMYK-inspired TW 5500 color builds, where its cool bias ensures clean secondary color accuracy in multi-layer prints.
On-Press Setup — TW 5504 Blue Shade Red
Mesh Count
200–380 monofilament polyester. Start at 230 mesh for solid spot-color coverage. Use 305–380 for fine halftone and detail work. Higher mesh = finer detail, lower opacity per pass.
Squeegee
70–85 durometer polyurethane, sharp edge. Start at 75 durometer for most applications. Use a harder squeegee (80–85) for fine halftone work. Ensure sharp, clean edge for consistent ink transfer.
Stencil
Solvent and water-proof emulsion only. Murakami Photocure Pro dual-cure photopolymer is preferred for all TW 5500 Series work. For extended long runs, apply Murakami MS Hardener before going to press.
Drying
Air dry: 20–30 minutes at room temperature between color passes. Force dry: a few seconds at 90–150°F for faster production. Allow full dry before stacking prints or applying overprint passes.
Press Preparation
Stir TW 5504 Blue Shade Red thoroughly from the bottom of the bucket before press-up. Off-contact distance of 1⁄16″–1⁄8″ is typical for flat-stock applications. Print a test sheet before committing to the full edition.
Cleanup
Clean screens with water immediately after press-down. Do not allow TW 5500 Series inks to dry in the screen. For stencil reclaim, use a standard water-based emulsion remover after water cleanup.
TW Graphics Additives for TW 5504 Blue Shade Red
TW 5500 Series inks are press-ready for most applications. When press conditions require adjustment, TW Graphics offers a complete additive line specifically engineered for the 5500 Series system. Never use additives from other ink systems — they may cause adhesion, drying, or compatibility problems.
Browse all TW Graphics water-based additives at River City Supply →
Complete TW 5500 Flat Series Color Lineup
Shop the complete TW 5500 Series below. TW 5504 Blue Shade Red is highlighted. All 43 colors available in quart and gallon, in stock at River City Supply, ships same day from San Antonio, TX.
Screen Room Recommendation
Best Emulsion for TW Graphics Poster Inks: Murakami Photocure Pro
TW 5500 Series inks demand a stencil that holds fine halftone detail, resists moisture breakdown through long runs, and survives the water-based ink environment without edge bleed or stencil degradation. Our recommendation is Murakami Photocure Pro — and for extended long runs, Murakami MS Hardener applied before going to press.
Why Buy TW Graphics Inks from River City Supply?
Authorized TW Graphics distributor based in San Antonio, TX — center of the country. We stock the full TW 5500 lineup deep, ship same day before 3:30 PM CT, and know these inks inside and out.
🕒 Same-Day Shipping
Orders before 3:30 PM CT ship the same business day from San Antonio, TX.
🌎 Faster Than Ordering Direct
TW Graphics ships from California. We ship from San Antonio — 1–3 day transit to most of the U.S.
🚚 Free Shipping Over $200
Hit $200 and shipping is on us. Stock the full 5500 lineup in one order.
📦 Full Lineup Stocked
Every TW 5500 color, all additives, Murakami emulsions. No backorders.
🎉 Authorized TW Distributor
Genuine TW Graphics product. Full technical support on every order.
📞 Real People, Real Help
Call (512) 454-0505 or email [email protected]
⚠ Over-Reduction Warning
Over-reduction with retarders and thinners can result in blocking and a significant reduction in drying speed. Never exceed recommended additive levels.
⚠ Test Before Production
Always run a test print on the production substrate first. Substrate surface energy, mesh count, and squeegee hardness all interact with final print results.
⚠ 24-Hour Evaluation
Allow at least 24 hours after printing before evaluating adhesion and suitability for the substrate and intended end use.
Build Your Full Color Palette
Shop the complete TW 5500 Flat Series and build your full palette in one order with same-day shipping from San Antonio, TX.
Stock Your Additives
Add TW Z1820 Thinner, TW 5100 Defoamer, and TW Z1822 Retarder to your order — the three additives most commonly needed in TW 5500 Series production.
Ready to Order?
Call (512) 454-0505 or email [email protected]. Same-day shipping before 3:30 PM CT. Free shipping over $200.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| SKU | TW 5504 Blue Shade Red |
| Color Properties | Cool/blue bias; deep crimson-purple character; the most process-magenta-adjacent standard red in the TW 5500 lineup; excellent purple-building base. |
| Series | TW 5500 Multi-Purpose Water-Based Flat Series |
| Manufacturer | TW Graphics (USA, est. 1923) |
| Ink Type | One-component, flexible, flat water-based ink system |
| Finish | Flat / Matte |
| Pigment Quality | Automotive-grade pigments |
| Light-Fastness | Up to 3 years indoor light-fastness |
| Available Sizes | Quart and Gallon |
| Press Ready | Yes — supplied press-ready. Stir well before use. |
| Compatible Substrates | Fine art serigraph paper, polystyrene, Tyvek®, Tedlar®, polycarbonate, treated polyesters, pressure-sensitive vinyl, aircraft interiors, skateboards, poster board |
| Recommended Mesh | 200–380 (80–150 cm) monofilament polyester |
| Squeegee | 70–85 durometer polyurethane, sharp edge |
| Stencil | Solvent and water-proof emulsion only. Dual-cure recommended — Murakami Photocure Pro preferred. |
| Air Dry | 20–30 minutes at room temperature |
| Force Dry | Seconds at 90–150°F (32–66°C) |
| Coverage Rate | 1,400–2,000 sq ft per gallon (33–47 sq meters per liter) |
| TW Z1820 Thinner | 5–10% by weight — standard press viscosity reducer |
| TW Z1822 Retarder | 5–10% by weight — normal open time extension |
| TW Z1823 Slow Retarder | 5–10% by weight — heavy-duty open time; slow print cycles |
| TW 5100 Defoamer | 1–2% by weight — eliminates bubbling at high press speeds. Do not exceed 2%. |
| TW 25233 Flattening Powder | 1–8% by weight — reduces gloss to satin or matte |
| TW XPX1018 WB-Activator | 10% by weight — chemical resistance. 24-hr pot life. One reactivation allowed. |
| Evaluation Period | Allow 24 hours after printing before evaluating adhesion and suitability |
| Ships From | San Antonio, TX — same-day on orders before 3:30 PM CT |
| Country of Origin | USA |
Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does TW 5504 Blue Shade Red differ from TW 5515 Rubine Red?
TW 5504 Blue Shade Red is a cool, blue-biased crimson — the reddest of the cool reds, sitting between standard red and magenta on the spectrum. TW 5515 Rubine Red is a deeper, cooler crimson-magenta named for the classic Rubine Red pigment standard, making it even more process-magenta-adjacent. For most refined-palette poster and serigraph work, TW 5504 is the more versatile choice. For simulated-process work where a cool red needs to behave like a process ink, TW 5515 is closer to the mark.
What purples can I build with TW 5504?
TW 5504 + TW 5507 Violet produces extraordinary deep blue-purples at a roughly 50/50 mix ratio. TW 5504 + TW 5505 Magenta builds warm, rich purple-magentas. The cool bias in TW 5504 keeps all purple mixes clean — warm reds produce brownish, muddied purples when mixed with blue-family colors.
Is TW 5504 suitable for halftone printing?
Yes — TW 5504 is an excellent halftone ink. Its cool, clean spectral profile holds dot integrity well at fine halftone screens (300–380 mesh, 150–300 LPI) and produces clean, predictable shadow tones in cool-palette gradient work. In simulated-process printing it performs as the warm-cool red transition anchor in multi-ink builds.
Is TW 5504 Blue Shade Red press-ready or does it need to be modified before printing?
Press-ready for most applications — stir well from the bottom of the bucket and print. TW Graphics supplies the 5500 Series at correct press viscosity for standard equipment and conditions. You may need to adjust with a small amount of water or TW Z1820 Thinner if your press runs at higher speeds or your shop is warm.
Why is my ink drying in the screen between strokes?
Common in warm shop conditions or on slow edition runs. Fixes in order: (1) add TW Z1822 Retarder at 5% and re-test; (2) increase flood bar frequency to keep ink moving; (3) lower shop temperature or add airflow around the press; (4) switch to TW Z1823 Slow Retarder for extreme heat conditions. Never exceed 5–10% total retarder — over-retarding causes blocking.
I’m seeing pinholes in solid areas on the automatic press. What’s causing it?
Almost certainly foam from the flood bar beating air into the ink at high speeds. Fix: add TW 5100 Defoamer at 1% by weight, stir gently (vigorous stirring defeats the defoamer), and allow 2–3 minutes before going back to press. If pinholes persist, add another 0.5%. Never exceed 2% — over-defoaming causes fish-eye defects.
What substrates does TW 5504 adhere to?
The TW 5500 Series adheres to: fine art serigraph paper and board, polystyrene, Tyvek®, Tedlar®, polycarbonate, treated polyesters (substrate, not fabric), pressure-sensitive vinyl, aircraft interior panels, and skateboards. Always allow 24 hours after printing before evaluating adhesion to a new substrate. The end-user must determine suitability for the specific application before full production.
Can I mix TW 5504 with other TW 5500 colors?
Yes — all TW 5500 Series colors are formulated in the same ink system and mix cleanly together. See the “Mixing Potential” section above for specific color combinations that work well with TW 5504 Blue Shade Red. For exact Pantone matching, TW Custom Pantone Water-Based Inks are also available.
What emulsion should I use with TW 5504?
We recommend Murakami Photocure Pro for TW Graphics water-based poster inks. Dual-cure photopolymer with 38% solids, outstanding resolution, and stencil durability for long poster runs. For extended high-volume runs, treat your Photocure Pro screens with Murakami MS Hardener before going to press for maximum stencil longevity.
Why buy from River City Supply instead of another distributor or direct from TW?
River City Supply is an authorized TW Graphics distributor based in San Antonio, TX. TW Graphics is based in California. Orders placed before 3:30 PM CT ship the same business day — 1–3 day transit to most of the U.S., faster than ordering from TW direct. Orders over $200 ship free. Our team at (512) 454-0505 can help with color selection, additive formulation, substrate compatibility, and emulsion recommendations for your specific jobs.
Questions? Call (512) 454-0505 or email [email protected]
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