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.
✓ 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
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.
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.
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.
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
{"@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question", "name": "How does TW 5502 Red Shade Yellow differ from TW 5513 Medium Yellow?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "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."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "What is the richest orange I can mix with TW 5502?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "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."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Does TW 5502 work well for fine art serigraph editions on paper?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "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."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Is TW 5502 Red Shade Yellow press-ready or does it need to be modified before printing?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "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."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Why is my ink drying in the screen between strokes?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "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."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "I'm seeing pinholes in solid areas on the automatic press. What's causing it?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "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."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "What substrates does TW 5502 adhere to?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "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."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Can I mix TW 5502 with other TW 5500 colors?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "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."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "What emulsion should I use with TW 5502?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "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."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Why buy from River City Supply instead of another distributor or direct from TW?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "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."}}]}
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]
Reviews
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.




























































Reviews