Chromaline Hydro X Red Photopolymer Screen Printing Emulsion – High-Solids, Fast-Exposure Emulsion for Plastisol, Water-Based & Discharge Inks

Name: Chromaline Hydro X Red Photopolymer Screen Printing Emulsion - High-Solids, Fast-Exposure Emulsion for Plastisol, Water-Based &amp; Discharge Inks
SKU: 171988
Availability: InStock

Chromaline

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Chromaline Hydro X Red is the high-resolution hybrid photopolymer emulsion for screen printers who demand precise halftone reproduction and fine detail alongside full compatibility with plastisol, water-based, and discharge inks. The red pigment in Hydro X Red is not cosmetic — it actively reduces light scatter during exposure, producing sharper dot formation and cleaner fine-line reproduction than standard blue-pigmented emulsions. If Hydro X Blue is your throughput workhorse, Hydro X Red is your quality champion.

✓ Red Pigment = Less Light Scatter
Sharper halftone dots and finer detail than blue-pigmented emulsions — engineered for quality

✓ WB, Discharge & Plastisol
Hybrid photopolymer chemistry — no hardener needed for water-based or discharge printing

✓ LED 405nm Optimized
Engineered for modern LED exposure units — also compatible with metal halide

✓ 46% Solids — Pre-Sensitized
Ready to use right from the container — no mixing, no diazo countdown

✓ Optional Diazo Boost
Add diazo to extend run durability for demanding long-run water-based jobs

✓ 24-Month Shelf Life
No refrigeration required at room temperature

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

Price range: $36.58 through $5,277.60

Size

Quart
Gallon
55 Gallon
4 Gallon
80 Gallon Skid

Clear

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SKU: N/A Category: Emulsions Tags: Chromaline Hydro X emulsion, Chromaline Hydro X Red emulsion, discharge ink screen emulsion, emulsion, fast exposure screen emulsion, high solids screen emulsion, hydro, one coat screen printing emulsion, photopolymer screen printing emulsion, plastisol compatible emulsion, red screen printing emulsion, water based screen printing emulsion, zx1

Description

When Detail Matters Most — Chromaline Hydro X Red

Hydro X Red and Hydro X Blue share the same platform: hybrid photopolymer technology, 46% solids, pre-sensitized, compatible with plastisol, water-based, and discharge inks. The difference is in the exposure science. Hydro X Red’s red pigment absorbs scattered UV light during exposure — the same wavelengths that cause halftone dots to bloom and fine details to fill in. The result is tighter dot formation, sharper edges, and finer detail reproduction on LED exposure units. It’s approximately 10% slower than Hydro X Blue, but for shops where halftone accuracy and fine-line quality are non-negotiable, that tradeoff is worth it every time.

The Science Behind Red Pigment

During UV exposure, light scatters inside the emulsion coating — a phenomenon called halation. This scattered light exposes emulsion beyond the edge of the film positive, causing halftone dots to grow and fine details to fill in. Red pigment absorbs the specific wavelengths responsible for halation on LED units, letting the stencil form exactly where the artwork dictates.

Hybrid Chemistry — Full Ink Compatibility

Like Hydro X Blue, Red’s hybrid photopolymer platform delivers dual-cure-level chemical resistance without diazo mixing or sensitized shelf-life concerns. Water-based and discharge inks won’t undercut or break down Hydro X Red stencils, making it a true all-purpose emulsion for multi-ink shops that also demand high print quality.

LED Optimized, Metal Halide Compatible

Hydro X Red is optimized for 405nm LED exposure units, which are now standard in most modern screen rooms. The red pigment’s halation-reduction benefit is especially pronounced on LED, where the concentrated UV output would otherwise increase dot gain. Metal halide units are also fully compatible.

Speed vs. Quality — Choosing Blue or Red

Hydro X Blue is ~10% faster on LED — the right choice for high-volume shops where throughput is the priority. Hydro X Red is ~10% slower but produces measurably better halftone accuracy and fine-line resolution. Many shops stock both: Blue for spot-color production runs, Red for four-color process, simulated process, and detailed artwork.

What You Receive

1Chromaline Hydro X Red hybrid photopolymer emulsion in your selected size (Quart, Gallon, or 3.5 Gallon)

2Ready to use — pre-sensitized, no mixing required. Stir gently and coat.

3Access to River City Supply’s emulsion troubleshooting guide and support at (512) 454-0505

Which Size Is Right for You?

Quart

~20–25 screens. Best for shops evaluating Red vs Blue or running smaller halftone-heavy jobs.

Gallon

~80–100 screens. The standard for active shops with regular halftone and detail-critical work.

3.5 Gallon

~280–350 screens. High-volume production shops running process printing or demanding art.

Yield estimates based on standard 1+1 coating; actual yield varies with mesh count and frame size.

How to Use Hydro X Red

Step 1 — Degrease

Clean mesh thoroughly with Chroma/Clean. Contaminants directly degrade halftone edge quality.

Step 2 — Coat

Stir gently. Apply 1+1 with a sharp scoop coater. For finer halftones, ensure coating is even and consistent — uneven EOM affects dot gain.

Step 3 — Dry

Dry horizontally, print side down, in a dark cabinet. Completely dry before exposure — moisture causes washout failure.

Step 4 — Expose

Expose on LED 405nm or metal halide. Hydro X Red is ~10% slower than Blue — calibrate with a step wedge test. Good vacuum contact is critical for fine halftone quality.

Step 5 — Washout

Rinse with room-temperature water. Check halftone dots under magnification on a light table before printing.

Step 6 — Reclaim

Apply Chroma/Strip, dwell, and pressure wash. Treat ghost haze with Chroma/Haze.

Having emulsion issues? Visit our emulsion troubleshooting guide or call (512) 454-0505.

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.

⚠ Not Freeze/Thaw Stable

Frozen emulsion is permanently damaged. Ships from warm San Antonio, TX.

⚠ Good Contact Is Critical for Halftones

Poor vacuum contact between film positive and emulsion is the #1 cause of halftone dot gain. Ensure firm, even contact before exposure.

⚠ Always Run a Step Wedge

Exposure calibration is especially important for halftone work. Over-exposure causes dot gain; under-exposure causes stencil breakdown. Calibrate your unit before production.

Chromaline Full Emulsion Line — Find Your Match

Emulsion	Type	Ink Compatibility	Exposure	Best For
ChromaBlue ↗	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 RedYOU ARE HERE	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

Why Buy from River City Supply?

💰 Better Pricing Than Buying Direct

Authorized distributor pricing. Free shipping over $200.

🚚 Same-Day Shipping Before 3:30 PM CT

Order by 3:30 PM Central, ships same day. Free on orders over $200.

☀️ Ships from San Antonio, TX

Warmer climate = more safe winter shipping days for freeze-sensitive emulsions.

✓ Authorized Distributor Since 2008

17+ years. Genuine Chromaline product and real screen printing expertise.

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

Print Sharper Halftones — Ship Today

Same-day shipping before 3:30 PM CT. Free shipping over $200. Call (512) 454-0505 or email [email protected]. Emulsion issues? See our troubleshooting guide.

Add Hydro X Red to Cart

Technical Specifications

Chromaline Hydro X Red — Technical Specifications

Specification	Value / Detail
Emulsion Type	Hybrid Photopolymer
Color	Dark Red (reduces halation in LED exposure)
Pre-Sensitized	Yes — no diazo required, ready to use
Sensitizer Required	None
Compatible Ink Systems	Plastisol, Water-Based, Discharge
Exposure Speed	Very Fast
Exposure Unit Compatibility	LED (405nm optimized) and traditional metal halide / UV fluorescent
Halation Reduction	Red pigment absorbs scattered UV light — improves halftone edge definition
Freeze/Thaw Stability	NOT freeze/thaw stable — frozen emulsion is permanently damaged
Shelf Life	24 months at room temperature (store below 80°F, away from light)
Recommended Coating	1+1 (one coat squeegee side, one coat print side)
Screen Yield — Quart	~20–25 screens (based on standard 1+1 coating)
Screen Yield — Gallon	~80–100 screens (based on standard 1+1 coating)
Screen Yield — 3.5 Gallon	~280–350 screens (based on standard 1+1 coating)
Reclaim Chemistry	Chroma/Strip emulsion remover; Chroma/Haze for ghost stain removal
Manufacturer	Chromaline Corporation
Distributed By	River City Supply — Authorized Chromaline Distributor since 2008

Yield estimates based on standard 1+1 coating; actual yield varies with mesh count and frame size.

Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions — Chromaline Hydro X Red

Why does the red pigment improve halftone quality?

During UV exposure, light scatters inside the emulsion coating — a phenomenon called halation. Scattered light exposes emulsion beyond the edge of the film positive, causing halftone dots to grow. Hydro X Red’s red pigment absorbs the wavelengths responsible for halation on LED units, so the stencil forms exactly where the artwork dictates — tighter dots, sharper edges, finer details.

What’s the difference between Hydro X Red and Hydro X Blue?

Both are hybrid photopolymers with identical ink compatibility and 46% solids. Hydro X Blue is ~10% faster — best for high-volume throughput. Hydro X Red is ~10% slower but produces superior halftone accuracy and fine-line resolution. Many shops stock both: Blue for standard spot-color production, Red for halftone and process work.

Does Hydro X Red work with water-based and discharge inks?

Yes — Hydro X Red is fully compatible with plastisol, water-based, and discharge inks. No hardener is required. The hybrid chemistry provides built-in chemical resistance to water-based and discharge systems.

Is Hydro X Red freeze/thaw stable?

No — Hydro X Red is NOT freeze/thaw stable. Frozen emulsion is permanently damaged. River City Supply ships from San Antonio, TX — one of the warmest major U.S. cities — giving us more safe winter shipping days.

I’m having emulsion problems. Where can I get help?

Visit our emulsion troubleshooting guide or call (512) 454-0505.

Questions? We’re here to help.

(512) 454-0505 | [email protected] | Same-day shipping before 3:30 PM CT

Order Hydro X Red

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Chromaline Hydro X Red Photopolymer Screen Printing Emulsion – High-Solids, Fast-Exposure Emulsion for Plastisol, Water-Based & Discharge Inks

Description