Visprox Hardener N.9 for TCP 9900 Pad Printing Ink
TW Graphics
Visprox Hardener N.9 is the low-addition two-component hardener for TCP 9900 ink on glass — used at just 6% by weight (vs 20% for Hardener 5) to achieve strong glass adhesion with excellent chemical resistance after thermal cure.
The 6% addition rate means a small bottle of Hardener N.9 hardens significantly more ink than the same volume of Hardener N.5 — making it the more economical choice for shops running steady glass-decoration production. Cure profile is the same: 150°C for 20 minutes.
Part of the Visprox TCP 9900 pad printing ink system manufactured by TW Graphics in Commerce, California, USA. SKU: VXHR9L0.1. Pack size: 0.1 Liter (100 mL). Compatible with the full TCP 9900 ink range (Colormatic mixing colors A through K, Extra Opaque whites and blacks, and TCP 9949 Transparent Base) for one-component (1K) and two-component (2K) pad printing on PVC, ABS, polycarbonate, acrylic (PMMA), polystyrene, PES, PET-G, pre-treated polypropylene, aluminum, and glass — covering industries from cosmetics packaging and medical devices to electronics, automotive trim, and promotional products.
$85.00
Description
Low-percentage two-component hardener for glass — economical, high-cure adhesion
Visprox Hardener N.9 is the low-addition two-component hardener for TCP 9900 ink on glass — used at just 6% by weight (vs 20% for Hardener 5) to achieve strong glass adhesion with excellent chemical resistance after thermal cure.
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Why Choose This Product
Crosslinking 2K Chemistry
Forms chemical bonds beyond simple adhesion, dramatically improving abrasion, scratch, and chemical resistance over 1K printing alone.
48-Hour Pot Life
Once mixed into ink, the hardened blend remains workable for approximately 48 hours — mix only what you’ll use in that window.
Substrate-Specific Performance
Engineered for glass, ceramics — applications requiring thermal cure (low-percentage option) — selecting the correct hardener for your substrate is critical to print durability.
Made in California by TW Graphics
Manufactured by TW Graphics in Commerce, California — the same U.S.-based source that produces the TCP 9900 ink line. No overseas lead times.
What’s Included
- ✓One 0.1 Liter (100 mL) container of Visprox Hardener N.9 for TCP 9900 Pad Printing Ink (SKU: VXHR9L0.1)
- ✓Manufacturer technical data sheet (TDS) and safety data sheet (SDS) available on request
- ✓Lot number and batch traceability for production quality control
- ✓Live chat, phone, and email support from River City Supply’s pad printing specialists
See Pad Printing in Action
A demonstration of pad printing — how silicone pads pick up ink from etched clichés and transfer it onto curved, textured, or three-dimensional substrates.
Production Specifications at a Glance
Application Rate
6% by weight added to TCP 9900 ink, then cure at 150°C for 20 minutes
Pot Life
Approximately 48 hours after mixing — mix only what you’ll use
Target Substrate
Glass, ceramics — applications requiring thermal cure (low-percentage option)
Mixing Order
Always add hardener BEFORE thinning or other additives. Mix thoroughly, then adjust viscosity with thinner if needed.
Background & Context
What 2K Printing Means
1K (one-component) printing uses ink straight from the can — fine for many plastics. 2K (two-component) printing means adding a hardener that chemically crosslinks the ink film for stronger adhesion, abrasion, and chemical resistance — necessary for difficult substrates.
Why This Hardener?
This is one of three hardeners we stock in the TCP 9900 system, each engineered for a specific substrate. Choosing the wrong hardener (or no hardener) on a demanding substrate is the most common cause of pad print failure — including failed tape tests and field returns.
Pot Life Discipline
Once mixed, hardened ink begins crosslinking immediately whether you’re printing or not. After ~48 hours it gels and becomes unusable. Best practice: mix only what you’ll print in a shift, label the cup with mix time, and discard at the end of the day.
Choosing the Right Hardener by Substrate
Use this guide to select the correct two-component hardener for your substrate. Always test on actual production parts before running a job.
| Substrate | Hardener | Addition | Cure |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVC, ABS, PS | 1K (no hardener) | — | Air dry |
| PMMA, PES, PET-G | 1K (no hardener) | — | Air dry |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | 1K, optional N.2 | 0–5% | Air dry |
| Polyester / PET | Polyester Bonding Improver | Up to 20% | Air dry |
| Pre-treated Polypropylene (PP) | Hardener N.2 | Up to 10% | Air dry |
| Glass (high-cure) | Hardener N.5 | 20% | 150°C / 20 min |
| Glass (low-percentage) | Hardener N.9 | 6% | 150°C / 20 min |
How to Use This Product
A step-by-step workflow for safe, repeatable pad printing results. New to TCP 9900? Open live chat with the bubble in the bottom corner — fastest way to get questions answered before you start a job.
Confirm Substrate Match
Verify you have the right hardener for your substrate. This hardener is specifically engineered for: glass, ceramics — applications requiring thermal cure (low-percentage option). Wrong hardener choice is the #1 cause of pad print failure.
Pre-Treat If Required
If printing on polypropylene, the substrate MUST be flame, corona, or plasma pre-treated first. Untreated PP will fail every adhesion test regardless of hardener.
Mix Ink First
Stir the TCP 9900 ink thoroughly before any additives — pigments settle in storage and need to be fully redispersed.
Weigh the Hardener
Add 6% by weight added to TCP 9900 ink by weight (use a scale — don’t eyeball). Pour into the ink, not the other way around.
Mix Thoroughly
Stir for at least 1 minute until completely uniform. Streaks or marbling = inconsistent crosslinking.
Adjust Viscosity (If Needed)
Only after the hardener is fully blended, add Thinner 10 (or Thinner 2 for fast cycles) in small increments — typically 5%.
Print Within Pot Life
Once mixed, you have approximately 48 hours of usable pot life. Label your cup with the mix time. Discard unused ink at end of shift.
Cure Properly
Air dry 24 hours for plastics. For glass, bake at 150°C for 20 minutes after print. Skipping the cure cycle on glass = no adhesion.
Safety, Handling & Regulatory
Important Notes
Once hardener is mixed in, the clock starts. Discard mixed ink after ~48 hours — it’s no longer reliable for production prints.
Always run an adhesion test (cross-hatch tape test or chemical wipe) on actual production substrates before committing to a job.
Always add hardener BEFORE thinner or any other additive. Reverse order can cause inconsistent crosslinking.
Shipping & Lead Time
Visprox TCP 9900 inks are batch-mixed at TW Graphics in Commerce, California at the time you place your order — never pulled from pre-mixed inventory sitting on a warehouse shelf. You receive the freshest possible product with maximum pot life every time.
Allow 3–4 business days total from your order to delivery — that includes the fresh-mix production time at the manufacturer plus standard ground shipping. Free shipping over $200; drop-ship items count toward the threshold. Need it faster? Click the live chat bubble for rush options.
TW Graphics manufactures the Visprox TCP 9900 line domestically in California. Every order ships with full lot and batch traceability — no overseas customs delays, no stale-inventory concerns, and quality you can audit back to the production run.
Browse the Full Visprox TCP 9900 Color Range
Click any color to view its product page. The Colormatic mixing system (letters A through K) lets you mix any Pantone color from the 9 base primaries plus White L and Black M. The currently-viewed product is highlighted in amber.
Compatible Additives & Auxiliaries
Complete the Visprox TCP 9900 system with the right hardener for your substrate, the right thinner for your press speed, and Retarder 4 when you need to slow ink dry on fine-detail clichés or in hot pressroom conditions.
| Type | Product | What It Does | Application | Size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardener | Hardener N.2 | Two-component hardener for adhesion to pre-treated polypropylene and difficult plastics | Up to 10% by weight added to TCP 9900 ink before any thinning | 0.5 kg | View Product → |
| Hardener | Hardener N.5 | Two-component hardener for high-cure adhesion to glass and ceramics | 20% by weight added to TCP 9900 ink | 0.5 Liter | View Product → |
| Hardener | Hardener N.9CURRENT | Low-percentage two-component hardener for glass — economical, high-cure adhesion | 6% by weight added to TCP 9900 ink | 0.1 Liter (100 mL) | View Product → |
| Thinner | Fast PAD Thinner VVD-2 | Fast-evaporating thinner for crisp pad pickup and quick dry-in-place printing | Add to TCP 9900 ink as needed to reach desired viscosity for your printer and substrate | 1 Liter | View Product → |
| Thinner | Thinner 10 | Standard medium-speed thinner — the everyday choice for TCP 9900 viscosity adjustment | Add to TCP 9900 ink as needed to reach desired viscosity for your printer and substrate | 1 Liter | View Product → |
| Retarder | Retarder 4 | Slow-evaporating retarder for fine-detail work and longer working time on the pad | Add to TCP 9900 ink in small percentages (typically 2–10%) to slow evaporation | 1 Liter | View Product → |
Frequently Bought Together
What other customers typically order alongside this product to run a complete TCP 9900 system.
| Extra Opaque Black | 1 Liter | Add to Order → | |
| Extra Opaque White | 1 Liter | Add to Order → | |
| Thinner 10 | 1 Liter | Add to Order → |
Talk to a Pad Printing Specialist
River City Supply has been distributing pad printing inks, presses, and chemistry since 2008. Not sure which TCP 9900 color, hardener, or thinner is right for your job? Reach out — our specialists will help you spec the right system the first time.
Product information last reviewed November 2026 • Specifications subject to change — request current data sheet via live chat for production-critical applications.
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications
Reference data drawn from the manufacturer’s TCP 9900 technical data sheet. For application-specific advice, click the live chat bubble for fastest response.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Two-component crosslinking hardener for solvent-based pad printing ink |
| Brand | Visprox by TW Graphics |
| Distributor | TW Graphics |
| Manufacturer Part Number | VXHR9L0.1 |
| Compatible Ink | Visprox TCP 9900 (all colors and EO/L/M variants) |
| Application Rate | 6% by weight added to TCP 9900 ink, then cure at 150°C for 20 minutes |
| Pot Life After Mixing | Approximately 48 hours after mixing — mix only what you’ll use |
| Target Substrates | Glass, ceramics — applications requiring thermal cure (low-percentage option) |
| Cure Profile | 150°C / 20 min |
| Pack Size | 0.1 Liter (100 mL) |
| Mixing Order | Add hardener BEFORE thinner or any other additive |
| Storage Temperature | 15–30°C (59–86°F) |
| Shelf Life (sealed) | 2 years from manufacture |
| Country of Origin | United States — Commerce, California |
| Ships From | TW Graphics manufacturing facility — Commerce, California (fresh-mixed when ordered) |
| Lead Time | 3–4 business days from order to delivery (fresh-mixed at the manufacturer + ground shipping) |
