TW 5503 Flat Yellow Shade Red Water-Based Poster Ink – Warm, Yellow-Lean Red for Poster & Flat Stock Screen Printing
TW Graphics
TW 5503 Yellow Shade Red is a vivid, warm orange-red water-based screen printing ink from the TW 5500 Flat Series — a fire-character red that sits at the orange end of the red spectrum, making it the most energetic and immediate red in the standard TW 5500 lineup. Concert poster shops, event graphics printers, and POP display operations order TW 5503 when red has to feel like fire rather than blood. Available in quart and gallon, in stock at River City Supply, ships same day from San Antonio, TX.
✓ Orange-Red Mixing
✓ High-Energy Concert Poster
✓ 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 $209.03
Description
TW Graphics — TW 5500 Flat Series — Water-Based Poster Ink
TW 5503 Flat Yellow Shade Red — Water-Based Poster Ink
TW 5503 Flat Yellow Shade Red is a warm, orange-biased red — the red to reach for when the job calls for flame, fire, warmth, and energy rather than deep or cool crimson. It sits at the orange edge of the red spectrum, making it the most versatile red for concert poster work where red and orange are pulled from the same screen. Pigmented with automotive-grade colorants for up to 3 years of indoor light-fastness, press ready from the bucket, and formulated for polystyrene, Tyvek®, Tedlar®, polycarbonate, treated polyesters, pressure-sensitive vinyl, and aircraft interiors.
Key Features
Fire-Character Orange-Red
TW 5503 reads as vivid, warm, and energetic in full coverage — a red that skews orange and conveys heat, urgency, and movement. It’s the natural red for concert poster fire effects, high-energy event graphics, and any design that needs red to feel like it’s moving.
Versatile Warm Red Mixing Base
Combine TW 5503 with TW 5502 Red Shade Yellow for clean warm oranges. Mix with TW 5521 Hi-Hide White for vivid coral pinks. The warm bias keeps secondary colors saturated and warm throughout the mix — no unexpected brownish neutrals.
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 5503 Yellow Shade Red 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 — strong yellow/orange undertone. Reads as a vivid tomato-to-fire red in full coverage. At thin deposits reads almost orange.
Mixing Potential
Pairs with TW 5501 or TW 5502 for clean oranges. Combine with TW 5521 Hi-Hide White to mix warm coral pinks. Not ideal for mixing clean cool colors.
Halftone Performance
Holds halftone dots cleanly. Particularly effective in warm fire and sunset gradients. Avoid overprinting with cool blues — muddy neutrals result.
Print Sequence
Print in mid-sequence. Overprint with TW 5525 Opaque Black for rich, warm dark tones in concert poster palettes.
Who Prints with TW 5503 Yellow Shade Red?
🎤 Concert & Gig Poster Shops
Fire-character reds are staples of band poster work. TW 5503 gives poster printers a vivid, energetic red that works both as a solid flood and as the warm-side anchor of a multi-color fire or sunset palette build.
🍽 Event & Festival Graphics Printers
Music festivals, sporting events, and high-energy promotional posters rely on warm reds that read as urgent and exciting at distance. TW 5503’s orange-red character provides that immediate visual impact on polystyrene and poster board substrates.
🍴 POP Display & Retail Signage Printers
Retail point-of-purchase displays often use warm reds to signal urgency, sale, and energy. TW 5503 on polystyrene and pressure-sensitive vinyl delivers the vivid warm red that retail clients require while maintaining up to 3 years of light-fastness.
🏄 Skateboard Deck & Action Sports Graphics Printers
The skateboard and action sports graphic category lives in high-energy warm palettes. TW 5503 is specifically compatible with skateboard deck substrates and holds its vivid warm-red character through the substrate’s finish.
On-Press Setup — TW 5503 Yellow Shade Red
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 5503 Yellow Shade Red 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 5503 Yellow Shade Red
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 5503 Yellow Shade Red 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 5503 Yellow Shade Red |
| Color Properties | Warm/yellow bias; orange-red character; vivid tomato-fire red in full coverage; the most orange-adjacent standard red in the TW 5500 lineup. |
| 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
How does TW 5503 Yellow Shade Red differ from TW 5514 Fire Red?
TW 5503 Yellow Shade Red has a stronger orange/yellow bias — it reads as a warm, almost tomato-orange red in full coverage. TW 5514 Fire Red is a more balanced, spectral red with maximum chroma and less orange character. For fire, warmth, and orange-adjacent effects, choose TW 5503. For a universally “pure red” with maximum saturation, choose TW 5514.
Can I use TW 5503 to mix warm oranges?
Yes — TW 5503 is the best orange-building red in the TW 5500 standard lineup. Combine with TW 5502 Red Shade Yellow for clean, vivid warm oranges. The warm bias in both inks ensures the secondary orange color stays saturated and clean rather than muddying toward a brownish neutral.
Does TW 5503 work on dark-colored substrates?
Like all TW 5500 Series standard colors, TW 5503 has moderate transparency. On dark substrates its warm red may not be fully opaque without an underbase. For opaque red coverage on dark or non-white substrates, print TW 5521 Hi-Hide White as an underbase first. The TW 5500 Series is designed primarily for white and light-colored flat-stock substrates.
Is TW 5503 Yellow Shade Red 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 5503 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 5503 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 5503 Yellow Shade Red. For exact Pantone matching, TW Custom Pantone Water-Based Inks are also available.
What emulsion should I use with TW 5503?
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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