TW 5502 Flat Red Shade Yellow Water-Based Poster Ink – Warm, Red-Lean Yellow for Poster & Flat Stock Screen Printing

TW Graphics

TW 5502 Red Shade Yellow is a warm, golden water-based screen printing ink from the TW 5500 Flat Series — the yellow that tips toward amber and orange, making it the definitive starting point for rich oranges, sun effects, and warm palette concert poster work. Shops that live in the warm half of the color wheel order TW 5502 when they need a yellow that builds saturated, luxurious oranges rather than cool electric ones. Available in quart and gallon, in stock at River City Supply, ships same day.

✓ Warm Gold-Bias Yellow
✓ Orange Mixing Base
✓ Sun & Fire Palette
✓ 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: $91.99 through $194.65

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Description

TW Graphics — TW 5500 Flat Series — Water-Based Poster Ink

TW 5502 Flat Red Shade Yellow — Water-Based Poster Ink

TW 5502 Flat Red Shade Yellow is a warm, gold-leaning yellow from the TW 5500 Multi-Purpose Water-Based Series — the preferred starting point when the palette calls for rich oranges, ambers, and golden tones rather than cool or electric yellows. Its warm red undertone gives it a noticeably richer, more saturated character than cooler yellows in the lineup, making it a natural companion for red-orange transitions in concert poster and serigraph work. Pigmented with automotive-grade colorants for up to 3 years of indoor light-fastness, supplied press ready, and formulated for polystyrene, Tyvek®, Tedlar®, polycarbonate, treated polyesters, pressure-sensitive vinyl, and aircraft interiors.

Key Features

Warm Golden Character

TW 5502 sits at the warm edge of the yellow spectrum with a distinct amber-gold character that reads as rich and substantial in full coverage. Where cool yellows feel electric, TW 5502 feels grounded and opulent — the natural yellow for sun, fire, and harvest palette work.

Best Orange Mixing Base in the 5500 Series

Mix TW 5502 with TW 5503 Yellow Shade Red or TW 5514 Fire Red and you get the richest, most saturated warm oranges the TW 5500 system can produce. The warm bias in TW 5502 prevents the cooler, slightly brownish secondary colors that mixing orange from a neutral yellow can produce.

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 5502 Red Shade Yellow behaves on press — not just what it looks like in the bucket — is what separates professional poster printers from the rest.

Color Bias & Character

Warm — red/gold undertone. The warmest standard yellow in the TW 5500 lineup. In full coverage reads as a rich golden yellow.

Mixing Potential

Go-to base for oranges and ambers. Combine with TW 5503, TW 5514, or TW 5516 for saturated, warm orange tones. Produces richer secondary colors than a cool yellow when mixing warm palette colors.

Halftone Performance

Holds halftone dots cleanly at standard mesh counts. Warm bias creates rich, golden halftone gradients in warm color transitions — excellent for sun effects and fire-palette poster work.

Print Sequence

Print early. Pairs naturally with warm reds and oranges in the second or third color pass for rich, sun-drenched poster palettes.

Who Prints with TW 5502 Red Shade Yellow?

🎤 Concert & Gig Poster Shops

Warm yellows are the foundation of sun, fire, and desert-palette poster work. TW 5502 gives poster printers a golden base that builds rich oranges in overprint and holds warm character across large edition runs on poster board and PS substrates.

🌟 Fine Art Serigraph Studios

Serigraph editions exploring warm, earth-toned, or sunset palettes lean on TW 5502 for the golden base that gives warm secondary colors their depth. Its stability across long print runs makes it reliable for limited-edition gallery work.

🍴 Harvest & Seasonal POP Display Printers

Retail point-of-purchase work for fall, harvest, and warm seasonal campaigns depends on saturated golden yellows that hold color under store lighting. TW 5502 delivers that character consistently on polystyrene and PS vinyl.

✈ Specialty & Industrial Flat-Stock Printers

Nameplate and industrial signage operations printing on Tedlar®, Tyvek®, and polycarbonate rely on TW 5502 for warm, legible yellow tones that hold light-fastness up to 3 years in demanding environments.

On-Press Setup — TW 5502 Red Shade Yellow

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 5502 Red Shade Yellow 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 5502 Red Shade Yellow

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.

TW Z1820 Thinner

TW Z1820 Thinner

5–10% by weight — Viscosity Reducer

Reduces viscosity for high-speed press runs and warm shop conditions. Standard first-reach additive for TW 5500 Series press-speed adjustment.

TW Z1822 Retarder

TW Z1822 Retarder

5–10% by weight — Open Time Extension

Extends open time for warm shop conditions and slow print cycles. Prevents in-screen drying during long edition runs.

TW Z1823 Slow Retarder

TW Z1823 Slow Retarder

5–10% by weight — Heavy-Duty Open Time

For extreme heat conditions and very slow print cycles. Maximum open time extension when Z1822 is insufficient.

TW 5009 Thickener

TW 5009 Thickener

1% by weight — Ink Body Builder

Restores ink body after over-reduction. Improves dot integrity for fine halftone screens. Use sparingly — 1% maximum.

TW 5100 Defoamer

TW 5100 Defoamer

1–2% by weight — Pinhole Eliminator

Eliminates pinholes in solid coverage areas on automatic presses. Add 1%, stir gently, wait 2 minutes before reprinting. Do not exceed 2%.

TW 25233 Flattening Powder

TW 25233 Flattening Powder

1–8% by weight — Gloss Reducer

Reduces gloss on inks that cure slightly shinier than the standard flat finish. Use to achieve satin or dead-flat surfaces for specialty applications.

TW XPX1018 WB-Activator

TW XPX1018 WB-Activator

10% by weight — Chemical Resistance — 24-Hr Pot Life

Cross-links the dried ink film for chemical resistance. Essential for nameplates, outdoor POP, aircraft interiors, and industrial signage. 24-hour pot life. One reactivation allowed.

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 5502 Red Shade Yellow is highlighted. All 43 colors available in quart and gallon, in stock at River City Supply, ships same day from San Antonio, TX.

 

TW 5501 Green Shade Yellow
TW 5501Green Shade Yellow

 

 

TW 5502 Red Shade Yellow
TW 5502 ✓Red Shade Yellow

 

 

TW 5503 Yellow Shade Red
TW 5503Yellow Shade Red

 

 

TW 5504 Blue Shade Red
TW 5504Blue Shade Red

 

 

TW 5505 Magenta
TW 5505Magenta

 

 

TW 5506 Maroon
TW 5506Maroon

 

 

TW 5507 Violet
TW 5507Violet

 

 

TW 5508 Red Shade Blue
TW 5508Red Shade Blue

 

 

TW 5509 Green Shade Blue
TW 5509Green Shade Blue

 

 

TW 5510 Blue Shade Green
TW 5510Blue Shade Green

 

 

TW 5511 Yellow Shade Green
TW 5511Yellow Shade Green

 

 

TW 5512 Lemon Yellow
TW 5512Lemon Yellow

 

 

TW 5513 Medium Yellow
TW 5513Medium Yellow

 

 

TW 5514 Fire Red
TW 5514Fire Red

 

 

TW 5515 Rubine Red
TW 5515Rubine Red

 

 

TW 5516 Warm Red
TW 5516Warm Red

 

 

TW 5517 Emerald Green
TW 5517Emerald Green

 

 

TW 5518 Process Blue
TW 5518Process Blue

 

 

TW 5519 Reflex Blue
TW 5519Reflex Blue

 

 

TW 5520 Ultra Blue
TW 5520Ultra Blue

 

 

TW 5521 Hi-Hide White
TW 5521Hi-Hide White

 

 

TW 5525 Opaque Black
TW 5525Opaque Black

 

 

TW 5530 Clear Flat Base
TW 5530Clear Flat Base

 

 

TW 5531 Flat Overprint Clear
TW 5531Flat Overprint Clear

 

 

TW 5532 Metallic Clear
TW 5532Metallic Clear

 

 

TW 5540 HT Yellow
TW 5540HT Yellow

 

 

TW 5541 Halftone Magenta
TW 5541Halftone Magenta

 

 

TW 5542 Halftone Cyan
TW 5542Halftone Cyan

 

 

TW 5543 Halftone Black
TW 5543Halftone Black

 

 

TW 5544 Halftone Extender
TW 5544Halftone Extender

 

 

TW 5560 Iron Oxide Yellow
TW 5560Iron Oxide Yellow

 

 

TW 5570 Metallic Silver
TW 5570Metallic Silver

 

 

TW 5571 Rich Gold
TW 5571Rich Gold

 

 

TW 5572 Rich Pale Gold
TW 5572Rich Pale Gold

 

 

TW 5590 Aurora Pink
TW 5590Aurora Pink

 

 

TW 5591 Neon Red
TW 5591Neon Red

 

 

TW 5592 Rocket Red
TW 5592Rocket Red

 

 

TW 5593 Fire Orange
TW 5593Fire Orange

 

 

TW 5594 Blaze Orange
TW 5594Blaze Orange

 

 

TW 5595 Arc Yellow
TW 5595Arc Yellow

 

 

TW 5596 Saturn Yellow
TW 5596Saturn Yellow

 

 

TW 5597 Signal Green
TW 5597Signal Green

 

 

TW 5598 Horizon Blue
TW 5598Horizon Blue

 

 

TW 5599 TW 5599
TW 5599TW 5599

 

🌈Custom PantoneMatched to Your Spec
View All5500 Series →

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.

Murakami Photocure Pro Emulsion

Murakami Photocure Pro Emulsion

Dual-cure photopolymer emulsion with 38% solids. Blue-colored for excellent coating visibility. Exposes 3–5x faster than diazo emulsions. Outstanding halftone and fine-line resolution — essential for TW 5500 water-based poster printing.

Exceptional ResolutionWater-Based Compatible38% Solids3–5x Faster Exposure

Shop Photocure Pro →

Murakami MS Emulsion Hardener

Murakami MS Hardener

For Extended Long Runs & Maximum Water Resistance

For high-volume runs where water-based inks are on the screen for hours, MS Hardener fortifies the Photocure Pro stencil against moisture and ink breakdown. Stencils remain reclaimable.

Maximum Water ResistanceReclaimable StencilsOne-Part System

Shop MS Hardener →

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 5502 Red Shade Yellow
Color Properties Warm/red bias; golden amber undertone; richer and warmer than neutral yellows; produces the most saturated warm oranges in the TW 5500 system.
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

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How does TW 5502 Red Shade Yellow differ from TW 5513 Medium Yellow?

TW 5513 Medium Yellow is balanced — neutral warm/cool with broad utility. TW 5502 Red Shade Yellow has a distinct warm/amber bias that makes it richer and more golden in full coverage. For warm orange mixing and sun-palette poster work, TW 5502 is the better choice. For a single all-purpose yellow that handles the widest variety of jobs, TW 5513 is more predictable.

What is the richest orange I can mix with TW 5502?

Combine TW 5502 with TW 5503 Yellow Shade Red at roughly 50/50 for a vivid, warm orange. Adding more TW 5503 pushes it redder; adding more TW 5502 pushes it toward golden orange. For the most saturated warm orange, avoid adding white or extender — mix both colors at full strength and adjust ratio only.

Does TW 5502 work well for fine art serigraph editions on paper?

Yes — TW 5502 prints cleanly on fine art serigraph paper and board when run through a dual-cure stencil at appropriate mesh counts (230–305 for solid coverage, 305–380 for halftone detail). Its warm character is particularly effective in editions where yellow and red overprints need to build rich, luminous orange-to-amber transitions.

Is TW 5502 Red Shade Yellow 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 5502 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 5502 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 5502 Red Shade Yellow. For exact Pantone matching, TW Custom Pantone Water-Based Inks are also available.

What emulsion should I use with TW 5502?

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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