TW 5518 Flat Process Blue Water-Based Poster Ink – Opaque Blue for Poster & Flat Stock Screen Printing
TW Graphics
TW 5518 Process Blue is the standard, balanced blue in the TW 5500 Flat Series — a clean, broadly useful process-compatible blue that anchors the blue range of the TW 5500 palette and serves as the most versatile mixing and spot-color blue in the entire lineup. Concert poster shops, serigraph studios, and process-printing operations order TW 5518 when blue needs to be reliable, clean, and broadly useful across the widest variety of work. Available in quart and gallon, in stock at River City Supply.
✓ Best All-Purpose Blue
✓ Versatile Mixing Blue
✓ 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: $45.99 through $125.43
Description
TW Graphics — TW 5500 Flat Series — Water-Based Poster Ink
TW 5518 Flat Process Blue — Water-Based Poster Ink
TW 5518 Flat Process Blue is the standard, broadly useful blue in the TW 5500 lineup — a clean, balanced process-compatible blue that anchors the blue range and serves as the most versatile mixing and spot-color blue in the entire system. Concert poster shops, serigraph studios, and process-printing operations keep TW 5518 as their standard blue precisely because it performs reliably across the widest variety of applications without the limitations of temperature-biased shade blues. Pigmented with automotive-grade colorants for up to 3 years of indoor light-fastness, press ready, and formulated for the full specialty flat-stock substrate range.
Key Features
Clean Balanced Process Blue
TW 5518 is the most broadly useful blue in the TW 5500 standard lineup. Its neutral-to-cool character gives it the predictable, clean spectral profile that makes it work equally well as a bold spot color, a green-building base, and a process-printing blue without the limitations of temperature-biased shade blues.
Premier Versatile Mixing Blue
TW 5518 is the go-to mixing blue for shops that need one blue to handle multiple palette requirements. Mix with TW 5501 or TW 5513 Yellow for clean greens. Mix with TW 5505 Magenta for balanced purples. Mix with TW 5521 White for sky blues and powder blues. No shade-specific blue in the lineup offers the same mixing versatility.
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 5518 Process Blue behaves on press — not just what it looks like in the bucket — is what separates professional poster printers from the rest.
Color Bias & Character
Neutral-cool — clean, balanced process blue. The broadest-utility standard blue in the TW 5500 lineup.
Mixing Potential
Most versatile mixing blue in the lineup. Produces clean greens with TW 5501/5513 Yellow. Builds balanced purples with TW 5505 Magenta. Mixes sky-blue tints with TW 5521 White.
Halftone Performance
Excellent halftone behavior. Balanced spectral character produces consistent, predictable gradient tones across the full dot range.
Print Sequence
Print in mid-to-late sequence as the standard blue component in any multi-color build.
Who Prints with TW 5518 Process Blue?
🎤 Concert & Gig Poster Shops
Process Blue is a foundational poster color. TW 5518 gives poster shops a reliable, clean blue anchor that works across a wide range of design styles, from high-energy festival graphics to sophisticated fine art poster editions.
🌟 Fine Art Serigraph Studios
Serigraph studios use TW 5518 as the standard blue component in color systems where a clean, process-compatible blue is needed for consistent secondary color builds across long limited-edition runs.
🍴 POP Display & Retail Signage Printers
Clean, authoritative blue is one of the most important retail display colors. TW 5518 on polystyrene and pressure-sensitive vinyl delivers consistent blue character under varied store lighting conditions.
🎓 Printmaking Programs & Process Printing Operations
University and professional programs use TW 5518 as their standard TW 5500 blue because of its broad utility, predictable mixing behavior, and compatibility with both spot color and process-printing workflows.
On-Press Setup — TW 5518 Process Blue
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 5518 Process Blue 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 5518 Process Blue
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 5518 Process Blue 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 5518 Process Blue |
| Color Properties | Neutral-cool; clean, balanced process blue; broadest utility of any standard blue in the TW 5500 lineup; excellent green and purple mixing base. |
| 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
When should I choose TW 5518 Process Blue over TW 5509 Green Shade Blue?
TW 5509 Green Shade Blue has a stronger cyan bias that makes it the best green-building blue in the lineup — if green-mixing is your primary requirement, TW 5509 is better. TW 5518 Process Blue is more balanced and broadly useful: better as an all-purpose spot blue, better for purple-building, and better as a single-blue solution for shops with diverse color work. If you can only stock one blue, TW 5518 is the more versatile choice.
What purple range can I build with TW 5518?
TW 5518 + TW 5507 Violet produces rich, balanced purples at roughly 50/50 mix. TW 5518 + TW 5505 Magenta builds clean process-compatible purples and violet-magentas. TW 5518’s neutral character keeps purple mixes balanced rather than strongly warm or strongly cool.
Can TW 5518 be used for halftone gradient work?
Yes — TW 5518 holds halftone dots cleanly on 200–380 mesh at 150–300 LPI. Its balanced spectral character produces consistent, predictable gradient tones. For fine halftone work, consider adding TW 5009 Thickener at 0.5% for improved dot integrity, and proof the full tonal range on production substrate before the edition run.
Is TW 5518 Process Blue 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 5518 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 5518 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 5518 Process Blue. For exact Pantone matching, TW Custom Pantone Water-Based Inks are also available.
What emulsion should I use with TW 5518?
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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