Chromaline Hydro X Blue Photo Polymer Emulsion – High-Performance Screen Printing Emulsion for Water-Based, Discharge & Plastisol Inks
Chromaline
Chromaline Hydro X Blue is the all-in-one hybrid photopolymer emulsion for screen rooms that print with plastisol, water-based, and discharge inks — all on the same screens. Built on Chromaline’s advanced hybrid technology (pure photopolymer performance with dual-cure chemical resistance), Hydro X Blue is pre-sensitized and ready to coat with no mixing required. At 46% solids and ~15,000 CPS, it lays down a dense, chemically resistant stencil that holds up through aggressive water-based and discharge print runs without a hardener — the successor to ChromaTech WR and Chromaline’s fastest hybrid emulsion.
One emulsion for every ink system in your shop — no specialty emulsion switching
Pure photopolymer exposure speed with dual-cure chemical resistance — no hardener needed
LED 405nm optimized — fastest exposure in the Hydro X line
No diazo to mix, no sensitized shelf-life clock — open and coat
Add diazo sensitizer to further increase print run durability when needed
No refrigeration required — 2-year room-temperature shelf life
Price range: $36.58 through $5,277.60
Description
One Emulsion for Every Ink System — Chromaline Hydro X Blue
Hydro X Blue is the answer to one of the most common screen room frustrations: having to keep separate emulsions on the shelf for plastisol jobs versus water-based or discharge jobs. Chromaline’s hybrid photopolymer technology delivers pure-photopolymer exposure speed with dual-cure chemical resistance — pre-sensitized, no mixing, no hardener required. Whether you’re printing a standard plastisol spot color job or running a water-based or discharge garment dye job, Hydro X Blue holds up through it all. It replaced ChromaTech WR as Chromaline’s flagship all-purpose emulsion, and it’s optimized for the LED exposure units that are now standard in most modern shops.
What “Hybrid” Actually Means
Traditional dual-cure emulsions require mixing a diazo sensitizer and have a short sensitized shelf life. Pure photopolymers are fast but less chemically resistant. Hydro X Blue’s hybrid chemistry gives you both: photopolymer exposure speed and dual-cure-level resistance to water-based and discharge ink systems — without the mixing or sensitized clock.
LED 405nm Optimized — Fastest Hydro X
Hydro X Blue is approximately 10% faster than Hydro X Red on LED exposure units. Both are very fast, but Blue’s broader spectral sensitivity makes it the default choice for high-volume shops where throughput matters. If you’re running a modern LED unit and coating multiple screens per day, Blue is your workhorse.
High Viscosity = Dense Stencil
At ~15,000 CPS, Hydro X Blue is a high-viscosity emulsion that builds a thick, dense stencil wall. This is exactly what you need for water-based and discharge printing, where chemical aggression and extended print runs demand a stencil that won’t undercut or break down mid-run.
Optional Diazo for Extended Durability
Hydro X Blue ships pre-sensitized and ready to use. But when you need maximum chemical resistance for extremely long water-based or discharge runs, you can optionally add a diazo sensitizer to push durability even further. This flexibility makes it suitable for both standard production and demanding high-run applications.
What You Receive
Which Size Is Right for You?
Yield estimates based on standard 1+1 coating; actual yield varies with mesh count and frame size.
How to Use Hydro X Blue
Clean mesh with Chroma/Clean and rinse completely. Critical for WB/discharge printing where adhesion failures are more costly.
Stir gently before use. Apply 1+1 with a sharp scoop coater. The high viscosity (~15,000 CPS) builds a dense stencil wall in fewer coats. For extra EOM on open-mesh screens, add additional coats.
Dry horizontally, print side down, in a dark cabinet. Must be completely dry before exposure.
Expose on LED (405nm) or metal halide. Hydro X Blue is the faster of the two Hydro X emulsions. Run a step wedge test to calibrate your unit.
Rinse both sides with room-temperature water. Inspect on a light table. Dry completely before press.
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.
Hydro X Blue vs. Hydro X Red
Both are hybrid photopolymers with the same ink compatibility. Blue is ~10% faster on LED and the better choice for high-volume shops. Red uses a red pigment to reduce light scatter, producing higher resolution and finer halftone detail — the better choice when print quality and halftone accuracy are the priority.
Do I Need a Hardener for WB/Discharge?
No hardener is required. Hydro X Blue’s hybrid chemistry provides chemical resistance to water-based and discharge inks without post-exposure hardening. For extremely demanding long-run WB/discharge applications, you can optionally add diazo sensitizer to push durability further.
Is Hydro X Blue Freeze/Thaw Stable?
No — Hydro X Blue is NOT freeze/thaw stable. Frozen emulsion is permanently damaged. We ship from San Antonio, TX — one of the warmest major cities in the U.S. — giving us more safe shipping days during winter than northern or midwestern distributors.
⚠ Not Freeze/Thaw Stable
Do not allow to freeze — permanently damaged if frozen. Ships from warm San Antonio, TX to reduce transit risk.
⚠ Store Below 80°F
Keep in a cool, dark location with lid tightly sealed. Keep away from UV light sources during storage.
⚠ Screen Must Be Completely Dry
Residual moisture before exposure causes washout failure. Especially critical for thick high-viscosity coatings — allow adequate dry time.
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 BlueYOU ARE HERE | 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 |
Why Buy from River City Supply?
Authorized Chromaline distributor pricing, often better than direct. Free shipping over $200.
Order by 3:30 PM Central, ships same day. Free on orders over $200.
One of the warmest U.S. cities — more safe winter shipping days for freeze-sensitive emulsions.
17+ years. Genuine product, manufacturer support, real screen printing expertise.
Frequently Bought Together
All-in-one screen wash — cleans, degrease and prep in one formula.
Degreaser and reclaiming aid for clean mesh and better adhesion.
Dial in your exposure unit fast. LED or metal halide.
Required for applying emulsion — a sharp scoop coater ensures an even, consistent coating on every screen.
One Emulsion for Every Job — 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.
Technical Specifications
Chromaline Hydro X Blue — Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value / Detail |
|---|---|
| Emulsion Type | Hybrid Photopolymer |
| Color | Blue |
| 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 |
| 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 Blue
What inks can I use with Hydro X Blue?
Hydro X Blue is compatible with plastisol, water-based, and discharge inks. Its hybrid photopolymer chemistry provides chemical resistance to water-based and discharge systems without requiring a hardener, making it a true all-purpose emulsion for shops that run multiple ink types.
What’s the difference between Hydro X Blue and Hydro X Red?
Both are hybrid photopolymers with identical ink compatibility. Hydro X Blue is approximately 10% faster on LED exposure units, making it the best choice for high-volume shops focused on throughput. Hydro X Red uses a red pigment that reduces light scatter, yielding higher resolution and finer halftone reproduction — the better choice when print quality and detail accuracy are the priority over raw speed.
Do I need to add a hardener for water-based or discharge printing?
No hardener is required. Hydro X Blue’s hybrid chemistry is engineered for chemical resistance to water-based and discharge inks right out of the container. For extremely long-run applications, you can optionally add diazo sensitizer to further increase durability.
Does Hydro X Blue require mixing a sensitizer?
No — Hydro X Blue is pre-sensitized and ready to use straight from the container. Stir gently before each use and coat. No diazo sensitizer is required. Diazo can be added optionally to boost print run durability for demanding applications.
Is Hydro X Blue freeze/thaw stable?
No — Hydro X Blue is NOT freeze/thaw stable. Frozen emulsion is permanently damaged and unusable. River City Supply ships from San Antonio, Texas, one of the warmest major U.S. cities, which means more safe shipping days for freeze-sensitive emulsions during winter months.
What replaced ChromaTech WR?
Hydro X Blue is the direct successor to Chromaline’s ChromaTech WR. It offers the same water-based and discharge compatibility with improved exposure speed, LED 405nm optimization, and Chromaline’s advanced hybrid photopolymer platform.
I’m having emulsion problems. Where can I get help?
Visit our emulsion troubleshooting guide or call (512) 454-0505 or email [email protected].
Questions? We’re here to help.
(512) 454-0505 | [email protected] | Same-day shipping before 3:30 PM CT
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