Chromaline ChromaBlue Photopolymer Emulsion – Fast-Exposing Screen Printing Emulsion for Plastisol Inks

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Chromaline ChromaBlue Photopolymer Emulsion – Fast-Exposing Screen Printing Emulsion for Plastisol Inks

Chromaline ChromaBlue is the pure photopolymer emulsion that set the standard for SBQ-based textile screen printing emulsions — and still hasn’t been matched. Pre-sensitized and ready to use straight from the container, ChromaBlue delivers blazing-fast exposure times, 50% solids content (with no inert fillers), and a single 1+1 coat that outperforms the 2+2 coating routine of lower-cost emulsions. If you’re printing plastisol on textile and want more screens per bucket, faster turnaround, and easy reclaim, this is the emulsion your screen room has been looking for.

✓ Pure Photopolymer (SBQ)
No diazo to mix — pre-sensitized, use straight from the container
✓ 50% Solids — No Fillers
More active chemistry per bucket = more screens, lower cost per stencil
✓ Very Fast Exposing
As low as 3 seconds on LED — fastest SBQ emulsion in its class
✓ 1+1 Coating Efficiency
One coat per side = four wet-on-wet diazo coats — more screens per bucket
✓ Superior Mesh Bridging
4600 CPS medium viscosity covers all mesh counts cleanly and consistently
✓ Excellent Reclaimability
Breaks down cleanly with Chroma/Strip — no stubborn residue or ghost staining

🚚 Same-Day Shipping Before 3:30 PM CT  ·  Free Shipping on Orders Over $200  ·  Ships from San Antonio, TX ☀️

Price range: $32.99 through $5,600.00

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SKU: UQ-AMJ7-PEGA Category: Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Description

The SBQ Photopolymer Standard — Chromaline ChromaBlue

ChromaBlue isn’t just another emulsion — it’s the benchmark that every SBQ photopolymer emulsion on the market gets measured against. Developed for textile screen printers printing with plastisol inks, it’s Chromaline’s best-selling emulsion for good reason: it exposes faster, dries faster, and goes further per bucket than competing products that require double the coating passes. The pre-sensitized, one-part formula means you open the container and start coating — no mixing, no waiting for diazo to dissolve, no sensitized shelf-life clock ticking in the background.

What Screen Printers Are Saying

“1+1 coating with ChromaBlue eliminated double stroking my whites — now I’ve nearly doubled my production rate.”

★★★★★ Verified Screen Printer

“3-second exposure on LED… are you kidding me!? Detail is perfect and reclamation is super easy. Since we only need 1/1, the bucket seems to last forever!”

★★★★★ Peterson Print Services

“No matter what chemical I clean it with, it always melts off at reclaim. I get more screens per bucket and order less often.”

★★★★★ Verified Screen Printer

Why 50% Solids Actually Matters

Lower-cost emulsions pad their solids with inert fillers. ChromaBlue’s 50% solids are entirely active photopolymer chemistry — what gives you superior mesh bridging, a dense stencil wall, and long print runs without edge breakdown.

Pre-Sensitized = No Mixing, No Waste

Diazo emulsions require mixing a sensitizer packet, a 30-minute de-gas wait, and careful refrigeration. ChromaBlue is a one-part photopolymer with a 24-month shelf life. Stir before use and coat. That’s it.

The 1+1 Cost Advantage

ChromaBlue’s standard 1+1 coating equals four wet-on-wet coats with a typical diazo emulsion. Your bucket goes dramatically further and your cost per screen drops — often below what cheaper alternatives actually cost per screen.

LED-Ready, Blazing Fast

ChromaBlue’s SBQ chemistry is highly sensitive to UV — including modern LED exposure units. Real-world users report exposure times as short as 3 seconds on LED. More screens per hour, less time at the exposure unit.

What You Receive

1Chromaline ChromaBlue pre-sensitized photopolymer emulsion in your selected size (Quart, Gallon, or 3.5 Gallon)
2Ready to use — no sensitizer, no mixing required. Stir, coat, expose.
3Chromaline User Guide with official exposure guidelines for 110, 230, and 390 mesh counts

ChromaBlue vs. Diazo vs. Dual-Cure

Feature ChromaBlue Diazo Dual-Cure
Sensitizer Pre-sensitized Must mix diazo Must mix diazo
Exposure Very Fast Slow Moderate
Solids 50% (no fillers) 30–38% 36–42%
Coating Ratio 1+1 2+2 or more 1+1 to 2+2
Shelf Life 24 months 3–4 months mixed 4–6 weeks mixed
Durability Excellent Good Very Good
Reclaim Excellent Good Good

⚠ Freeze Warning

ChromaBlue is NOT freeze/thaw stable. Frozen emulsion is permanently damaged. River City ships from San Antonio, TX — our mild winters mean more ship days than northern distributors. We’ll communicate any holds at order time.

⚠ Exposure Accuracy Is Critical

Because ChromaBlue exposes so fast, the margin for timing error is narrower than with slower diazo emulsions. Always run a step-exposure test when setting up a new mesh, light source, or emulsion batch.

⚠ Safelight Conditions

Always coat under yellow safelight. Avoid fluorescent lighting — it emits UV that can begin crosslinking SBQ emulsions prematurely. Keep the pail covered when not actively coating.

How ChromaBlue Compares to the Full Chromaline Line

Not sure this is the right emulsion for your shop? Use this table to find your best match — then click any product to view it on our site.

Emulsion Type Ink Compatibility Exposure Best For
ChromaBlueYOU ARE HERE Pure Photopolymer (SBQ) Plastisol Very Fast High-volume plastisol, LED shops
ChromaLime ↗ Pure Photopolymer (SBQ) Plastisol Very Fast Inkjet positives, humidity, registration
Hydro X Blue ↗ Hybrid Photopolymer Plastisol, WB, Discharge Very Fast All-purpose, water-based/discharge
Hydro X Red ↗ Hybrid Photopolymer Plastisol, WB, Discharge Very Fast Halftone/fine detail, LED units
CP-Tex ↗ Diazo Plastisol, WB, Discharge Moderate High-run WB/discharge durability
UDC-2 ↗ Dual-Cure Plastisol, Solvent, UV Fast Graphic + textile, halftone detail
UDC-HV ↗ Dual-Cure Plastisol, Solvent, UV Fast All mesh counts, forgiving shops
GSR ↗ Pure Photopolymer (SBQ, solvent-resistant) UV, Solvent, Plastisol Fast UV/solvent inks, freeze/thaw stable
Chromaline PL ↗ Pure Photopolymer (SBQ) Plastisol Very Fast High-build plastisol, thick deposits

How to Use ChromaBlue — Step by Step

Step 1 — Degrease

Work up a lather of Chroma/Clean™ mesh degreaser on both sides of the screen. Flood thoroughly with water and allow to dry completely. Never skip — oil and residue are the leading cause of pinholes and adhesion failure.

Step 2 — Coat

Stir ChromaBlue before use. Apply one coat to the print (t-shirt) side, then flip and apply one coat to the squeegee side. For a thicker stencil, add coats to the squeegee side while still wet. Work under yellow safelight conditions.

Step 3 — Dry

Dry horizontally, print side down, in a totally dark, clean cabinet. Do not exceed 110°F (43°C). ChromaBlue’s low water content means faster drying than diazo emulsions.

Step 4 — Expose

Place the emulsion side of your film positive in contact with the print side of the screen. Exposure times are very short — always run a step-exposure test to dial in your specific setup before committing to a production time.

Step 5 — Develop

Gently spray both sides with lukewarm water. Wait up to 30 seconds, then wash the print side until the image is fully open. Rinse both sides thoroughly and dry completely before printing.

Step 6 — Reclaim

Apply Chroma/Strip™ to both sides. Scrub with a stiff nylon brush until the stencil begins to dissolve, then remove with a pressure washer and flood with a garden hose. ChromaBlue reclaims cleanly regardless of press-wash chemistry.

🔍 Running into issues? Pinholes, emulsion breakdown, washout problems?

Emulsion Troubleshooting Guide →

Watch: Screen Making 101

New to making screens? This step-by-step Chromaline video covers mesh prep, emulsion coating, exposure, and washout from start to finish.

What Is SBQ Photopolymer Chemistry?

SBQ (Stilbazolium Quaternary) crosslinks rapidly and densely under UV without requiring a sensitizer activator. The result is a very fast, very sharp stencil with clean edge definition — the gold standard for high-speed textile production.

Recommended Companion Chemicals

Chroma/Clean™ mesh degreaser before coating, Chroma/Strip™ for reclaim, Chroma/Haze™ for ghost images, Chroma/Fill™ for pinholes and blockout. Matched chemistry takes the guesswork out of troubleshooting.

Mesh Count Guide

Official exposure data covers 110, 230, and 390 mesh. For general plastisol production: 110–160 mesh. For halftones and fine detail: 196–230 mesh. ChromaBlue’s 4600 CPS viscosity and 50% solids provide strong bridging across the full range.

Frequently Bought Together

Chromaline Chroma/Screen Wash iSC

All-in-one screen wash — cleans, degrease and prep in one formula.

View Product ↗

Chromaline Chroma/Strip iSC

Fast, clean emulsion removal. No locking, no residue.

View Product

Chromaline Chroma/Wet iSC

Degreaser and reclaiming aid for clean mesh and better adhesion.

View Product ↗

Chromaline 10-Step Exposure Guide

Dial in your exposure unit fast. LED or metal halide.

View Product ↗

Scoop Coater

Required for applying emulsion — a sharp scoop coater ensures an even, consistent coating on every screen.

View Product

Technical Specifications

Chromaline ChromaBlue — Technical Specifications

Specification Value
Emulsion Type Pure Photopolymer (SBQ — Stilbazolium Quaternary)
Sensitization Pre-sensitized — use straight from container, no diazo required
Color Blue (dyed formulation only)
Solids Content 50% (no inert fillers)
Viscosity 4600 CPS (Medium)
Exposure Speed Very Fast
Primary Ink Compatibility Plastisol inks (textile screen printing)
Standard Coating 1+1 (print side + squeegee side); additional squeegee-side coats for thicker stencil
Drying Horizontal, print side down, dark cabinet; max 110°F (43°C)
Film Positive Placement Emulsion side of positive against print (t-shirt) side of screen
Washout Lukewarm water — spray both sides, 30-sec dwell, wash print side until open
Exposure — 110 Mesh (5KW @ 40″) 1×1: 30 sec (165 mJ/cm²) | 1×2: 40 sec | 1×3: 50 sec
Exposure — 230 Mesh (5KW @ 40″) 1×1: 20 sec (107 mJ/cm²) | 1×2: 25 sec | 1×3: 30 sec
Exposure — 390 Mesh (5KW @ 40″) 1×1: 15 sec (78 mJ/cm²) | 1×2: 20 sec | 1×3: 25 sec
Degreaser Chroma/Clean™ mesh degreaser (required before every coating)
Reclaim Chemistry Chroma/Strip™ + stiff nylon brush + pressure washer
Optional Chemicals Chroma/Haze™ (ghost images), Chroma/Fill™ (blockout)
Shelf Life 24 months at room temperature
Max Storage Temp 80°F (27°C)
Freeze/Thaw Stability NOT freeze/thaw stable — protect from freezing at all times
Safelight Yellow safelight required — avoid fluorescent lighting
Available Sizes Quart, Gallon, 3.5 Gallon
Manufacturer Chromaline Corporation (IKONICS Company) — Duluth, MN, USA | ISO 9001

Exposure data from Chromaline official User Guide (5KW unit at 40″). Always run a step-exposure test for your specific setup. Contact us at (512) 454-0505 for technical support.

🔍 Encountering exposure, washout, or on-press issues? Our guide covers the most common problems and solutions.

Emulsion Troubleshooting Guide →

Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents

Chromaline Chromablue Safety Data Sheet

Chromaline Chromablue Technical Data Sheet

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions — Chromaline ChromaBlue

Do I need to add a diazo sensitizer to ChromaBlue?

No. ChromaBlue is a pure photopolymer emulsion that comes pre-sensitized and ready to use straight from the container. There is no diazo to mix, no waiting period, and no sensitized shelf-life countdown. Simply stir before coating and keep the lid on tightly when not in use.

What makes ChromaBlue more cost-effective than cheaper emulsions?

ChromaBlue’s 50% solids content with no inert fillers means a standard 1+1 coating builds a stencil equivalent to four wet-on-wet coats with a typical diazo emulsion. If a competing emulsion costs less per gallon but requires a 2+2 routine, your actual cost per screen with ChromaBlue is likely lower — add faster exposure and drying times and the advantage compounds quickly.

How fast does ChromaBlue expose?

Very fast. Chromaline’s official data shows starting points as low as 15–30 seconds on a 5KW metal halide at 40 inches. On modern LED units, real-world users report times as short as 3 seconds. Always run a step-exposure test before committing to a production time — the short exposure window means precision matters.

What inks is ChromaBlue designed for?

ChromaBlue is optimized for plastisol inks in textile screen printing on cotton, blended, and synthetic garments. If you’re printing primarily with water-based or discharge inks, Hydro X Blue and CP-Tex are better suited. Contact us and we’ll match you to the right emulsion.

What mesh counts work best with ChromaBlue?

Chromaline’s official exposure data covers 110, 230, and 390 mesh. For general plastisol production, 110–160 mesh is common. For halftones and fine detail, 196–230 mesh is typical. The 4600 CPS viscosity and 50% solids provide strong bridging and minimal pinholes across the full range.

Which size should I order?

The Quart is ideal for beginners, hobbyists, or trying ChromaBlue for the first time (~20–25 screens). The Gallon is the most popular for production shops (~80–100 screens) — the best balance of price and manageable quantity. The 3.5 Gallon is for high-volume shops burning screens daily (~280–350 screens) and delivers the lowest cost per screen. Estimates are based on standard 1+1 coating; actual yield varies with mesh count and frame size.

How do I wash out ChromaBlue screens?

After exposure, gently spray both sides with lukewarm water. Let dwell up to 30 seconds, then gently wash the print side until the image is fully open. Rinse both sides thoroughly and dry completely before printing. No specialty washout chemistry is required.

How do I reclaim ChromaBlue screens?

Apply Chroma/Strip™ to both sides of the screen. Scrub with a stiff nylon brush until the stencil begins to dissolve, then remove with a pressure washer. ChromaBlue is widely praised for clean, easy reclaim regardless of press-wash chemistry. For ghost images, follow up with Chroma/Haze™ before recoating.

Can ChromaBlue freeze during shipping?

ChromaBlue is NOT freeze/thaw stable — frozen emulsion is permanently damaged. River City Supply ships from San Antonio, Texas — one of the warmest major US cities — which means we can ship emulsions more days during winter than northern or midwestern distributors. We’ll communicate any cold-weather holds at order time.

How long does ChromaBlue last in the container?

24 months at room temperature — no sensitizer clock, no refrigeration required. Store below 80°F (27°C), keep the lid tight, and stir gently before each use. A major advantage over diazo emulsions, which begin degrading the moment you mix in the sensitizer.

I’m having emulsion issues — where can I get help?

River City Supply maintains a dedicated emulsion troubleshooting guide covering pinholes, exposure issues, washout problems, and stencil breakdown. You can also call our team directly at (512) 454-0505 — we’re glad to help diagnose screen room issues.

🔍 Emulsion Troubleshooting Guide

Pinholes, premature breakdown, washout problems, film sticking — our guide covers it all.

View Troubleshooting Guide →

More questions about ChromaBlue?

River City Supply’s team is here to help — call or email anytime.

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