TW 5509 Flat Green Shade Blue Water-Based Poster Ink – Green-Lean Blue for Poster & Flat Stock Screen Printing
TW Graphics
TW 5509 Green Shade Blue is a clean, cyan-adjacent water-based screen printing ink from the TW 5500 Flat Series — the process-compatible blue in the standard TW 5500 lineup, and the most important blue for building clean greens, teals, and fresh secondary colors across the palette. Concert poster shops, fine art serigraph studios, and process-printing operations order TW 5509 when blue needs to mix clean rather than just look good in the bucket. Available in quart and gallon, in stock at River City Supply.
✓ Best Green Mixing Blue
✓ Process Printing Blue
✓ 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: $40.25 through $120.58
Description
TW Graphics — TW 5500 Flat Series — Water-Based Poster Ink
TW 5509 Flat Green Shade Blue — Water-Based Poster Ink
TW 5509 Flat Green Shade Blue is the process-compatible, cyan-adjacent blue in the TW 5500 lineup — a clean, cool blue with a green/cyan undertone that makes it the most important blue for green-building and process-adjacent printing in the TW 5500 system. Concert poster shops, serigraph studios, and process printing operations reach for TW 5509 when blue needs to mix clean rather than just look good in the bucket. Pigmented with automotive-grade colorants for up to 3 years of indoor light-fastness, press ready, and formulated for polystyrene, Tyvek®, Tedlar®, polycarbonate, treated polyesters, pressure-sensitive vinyl, and aircraft interiors.
Key Features
Clean Cyan-Adjacent Character
TW 5509 is the process-ink-compatible blue in the TW 5500 standard range. Its green/cyan bias gives it the crisp, clean spectral profile that makes it behave predictably in mixing workflows, process-style printing, and anywhere that blue needs to look exactly right under a variety of lighting conditions.
Premier Green-Building Blue in the 5500 System
Combine TW 5509 with TW 5501 Green Shade Yellow for the cleanest, most vibrant greens in the TW 5500 palette. No other standard blue in the lineup builds greens with the same cleanliness and chroma. For overprint green-building — printing TW 5509 over TW 5501 — the results are luminous and fully saturated.
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 5509 Green Shade Blue 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 — green/cyan undertone. The most process-compatible and cleanest standard blue in the TW 5500 lineup.
Mixing Potential
Premier green-building blue. Combine with TW 5501 Green Shade Yellow for the cleanest, most vibrant greens in the TW 5500 palette. Produces clean secondary greens and teals.
Halftone Performance
Excellent halftone behavior. Clean spectral profile produces accurate tonal values. Well-suited for process-adjacent and simulated-process halftone printing.
Print Sequence
Print in mid-to-late sequence. Overprint over TW 5501 for luminous transparent greens. Works as foundation for cool color palette builds.
Who Prints with TW 5509 Green Shade Blue?
🎤 Concert & Gig Poster Shops
TW 5509 is a workhorse blue for poster shops building complex multi-color palettes. Its clean character makes it effective both as a solid spot blue and as the cyan foundation for green and teal color builds across large edition runs.
🌟 Fine Art Serigraph Studios
Process-accurate serigraph studios use TW 5509 as the cyan-adjacent anchor of their TW 5500 color system, enabling consistent green-to-blue transitions and clean secondary color builds across long-run limited editions.
🎓 Printmaking Programs & Process Printing Operations
University printmaking programs and operations doing simulated-process work with TW 5500 inks consistently specify TW 5509 as the cyan component because of its predictable dot behavior and clean secondary color mixing performance.
🍴 Environmental & Nature-Themed POP Display Printers
Environmental and nature-themed retail display work depends on clean, vivid greens built from quality cyan-blue and yellow inks. TW 5509 on polystyrene and PS vinyl produces the kind of vivid greens that make environmental display graphics genuinely impactful.
On-Press Setup — TW 5509 Green Shade Blue
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 5509 Green Shade Blue 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 5509 Green Shade Blue
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 5509 Green Shade Blue 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 5509 Green Shade Blue |
| Color Properties | Cool/green bias; cyan-leaning medium blue; cleanest and most process-compatible standard blue in the TW 5500 lineup; premier green-building blue. |
| 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 5509 Green Shade Blue differ from TW 5542 Halftone Cyan?
TW 5509 Green Shade Blue is a spot-color ink with full pigment loading, solid opacity, and the versatility to function as both a color mixing base and a solid spot blue. TW 5542 Halftone Cyan has higher transparency and calibrated dot integrity for process-printing halftone work. Use TW 5509 for solid spot color applications and green mixing; use TW 5542 when running fine halftone screens in four-color or simulated-process builds.
What is the cleanest green I can build with TW 5509?
Combine TW 5509 with TW 5501 Green Shade Yellow for the cleanest, most saturated green in the TW 5500 system. Start at roughly 40% TW 5509 / 60% TW 5501 and adjust for your target hue. Adding more TW 5509 cools the green toward teal; adding more TW 5501 shifts it warmer toward lime. For lighter tints, extend with TW 5530 Clear Flat Base rather than white, which would push the green toward a milky mint.
Does TW 5509 work well for overprint color-building?
Yes — TW 5509 has excellent overprint behavior. Printing TW 5509 over a dried TW 5501 Green Shade Yellow creates luminous transparent greens with more depth than a mixed-in-the-bucket color can produce. This transparency-building technique is fundamental to fine art serigraph color-building methodology and produces results that look hand-crafted rather than commercially printed.
Is TW 5509 Green Shade Blue 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 5509 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 5509 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 5509 Green Shade Blue. For exact Pantone matching, TW Custom Pantone Water-Based Inks are also available.
What emulsion should I use with TW 5509?
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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