TW 5100 Defoamer – Anti-Foam Additive for TW Graphics Water-Based Poster Inks

TW Graphics

TW 5100 Defoamer
TW 5100 Defoamer
TW 5100 Defoamer
TW 5100 Defoamer

TW 5100 Defoamer eliminates the bubbling and foaming that plagues water-based poster inks at high press speeds. Add just 1–2% by weight to any TW 5500 Flat Series or TW 5000 Gloss Series ink to stabilize the ink film, prevent surface pitting, and keep your prints clean through long automatic runs. A tiny addition with an outsized impact on print quality. Made in the USA by TW Graphics.

✓ 1–2% By Weight
✓ Eliminates Bubbling & Foaming
✓ TW 5000 & 5500 Compatible
✓ For High Press Speeds
✓ No Color Impact
✓ Made in USA

🚚 Same-Day Shipping Before 3:30 PM CT  |  Free Shipping Over $200  |  Stocked in San Antonio, TX

$104.99

--- GLOBAL RULE LOCATIONS ---
Array
(
    [0] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 1714
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [1] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2853
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [2] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2854
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [3] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2884
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [4] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2937
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [5] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2941
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [6] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2944
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [7] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2955
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [8] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2956
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [9] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2957
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [10] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2958
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [11] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2959
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [12] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2960
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [13] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2961
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [14] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2962
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [15] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2963
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [16] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2964
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [17] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2965
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [18] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2966
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [19] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2967
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [20] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2968
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [21] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 2977
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [22] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 3114
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [23] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 4638
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [24] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 4639
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [25] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 4667
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [26] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 3690
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [27] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 3692
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [28] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 3731
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [29] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 3752
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [30] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 3762
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [31] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 3792
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [32] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 3852
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [33] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 3980
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [34] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 4013
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [35] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 4020
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [36] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 4022
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [37] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 4044
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [38] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 4205
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [39] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 4270
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [40] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 4272
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [41] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 4620
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [42] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 4651
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [43] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 4673
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [44] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 4946
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [45] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 5355
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [46] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 5390
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [47] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 5398
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [48] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 5407
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

    [49] => stdClass Object
        (
            [post_id] => 5445
            [meta_key] => _pricing_rules
        )

)
SKU: N/A Category: Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Description

TW Graphics — Water-Based Additive — 1–2% By Weight

TW 5100 Defoamer

Push a water-based poster ink fast enough and it starts to fight back. The mechanical agitation of a flood bar cycling at speed, combined with the natural surfactant chemistry of water-based ink systems, generates air bubbles in the ink body. Those bubbles survive through the screen and onto the substrate — showing up as pinholes, craters, voids, and a mottled surface texture that ruins an otherwise clean print. TW 5100 Defoamer solves this at the source. Added at just 1–2% by weight, it breaks the surface tension of the bubbles before they have a chance to transfer, giving you a smooth, uniform ink film from the first impression to the last — regardless of how fast your press is running.

Key Features

Eliminates Bubbling & Foaming

Breaks the surface tension of air bubbles before they transfer to the substrate. Prevents pinholes, craters, and surface texture defects caused by foam in the ink body.

Built for High-Speed Printing

Specifically recommended for high-speed automatic press runs where the mechanical action of the flood bar introduces the most air into the ink. The faster your press, the more TW 5100 earns its keep.

Minimal Addition Required

Only 1–2% by weight. A small amount goes a long way — and using more than the recommended rate can actually introduce new surface defects. Precision matters with this additive.

No Color Impact

At recommended usage rates, TW 5100 does not affect hue, opacity, or pigment load. Your color stays exactly as formulated — just without the foam defects.

Why Water-Based Inks Foam — And Why It Gets Worse at Speed

Foaming in water-based inks is a chemistry and mechanics problem. Understanding both helps you use TW 5100 more effectively.

The Chemistry Side

Water-based inks contain surfactants — agents that reduce surface tension to improve substrate wetting and ink flow. These same surfactants make the ink prone to trapping air. Every mix and stir introduces bubbles, and the surfactant chemistry keeps them stable rather than letting them collapse.

The Mechanics Side

Every flood bar stroke beats air into the ink body. At low press speeds, air has time to escape before the squeegee stroke. At high speeds, it does not — bubbles get driven through the screen mesh and land on the substrate, leaving pinholes and craters in the cured film.

Additives Make It Worse

Some TW additives — particularly retarders and thinners — further reduce ink viscosity and surface tension, which increases foam susceptibility. If you are running a highly modified ink at speed, TW 5100 becomes especially important.

How TW 5100 Fixes It

Defoamers work by disrupting the bubble wall — they spread across the surface of foam bubbles and cause them to collapse before they can transfer. TW 5100 does this continuously throughout the press run, keeping the ink body stable even as the flood bar keeps beating in air.

When Do You Need TW 5100 Defoamer?

Not every print job needs a defoamer. But certain situations make it essential. If your job matches any of these, add TW 5100 before you go to press.

⚡ High-Speed Automatic Runs

The faster your press cycles, the more aggressively the flood bar beats air into the ink. Any automatic run at production speed is a candidate for TW 5100, especially with TW water-based inks.

📄 Solid Flood Coverage

Large solid color fields are where foam defects are most visible. A pinhole in a fine-detail halftone is hard to notice. A pinhole in a solid black or flat color field is immediately obvious to the eye.

🏸 Thinned or Modified Inks

Ink modified with TW Z1820 Thinner, retarders, or significant water addition has lower viscosity and more foam potential. If you are running a heavily modified batch at speed, add TW 5100 as standard practice.

🌅 Fresh-Mixed Ink

Freshly stirred or just-opened ink has more entrained air than ink that has rested. If you are going straight from mixing to press, TW 5100 helps neutralize the foam generated during stir-up.

🏆 Premium / High-Value Jobs

Concert poster editions, fine art serigraphs, and premium POP displays have zero tolerance for surface defects. On any job where a reprint is expensive, add TW 5100 as insurance.

How to Use TW 5100 Defoamer

Step 1 — Weigh Your Ink

Place your prepared ink batch on a gram scale and record the weight. This is the base for your defoamer calculation.

Step 2 — Calculate & Weigh Defoamer

Multiply ink weight by 1–2% (e.g., 500g ink × 1.5% = 7.5g defoamer). Weigh separately before adding. Start at 1% — more is not always better with defoamers.

Step 3 — Add & Stir Gently

Add the defoamer and stir slowly and thoroughly into the ink. Avoid vigorous stirring which re-introduces air. You want the defoamer distributed evenly without creating new foam.

Step 4 — Let Rest 2–3 Minutes

Allow the defoamer a brief moment to begin working before going to press. Existing bubbles from mixing will start to collapse within a few minutes of addition.

Step 5 — Print & Evaluate

Run your press at production speed and pull a few test prints before committing to the full run. Inspect under a good light source. If pinhole defects persist, add another 0.5% defoamer and re-test.

The Critical Rule: Do Not Over-Defoam

Defoamers are one of the few ink additives where using too much creates the same problem you were trying to solve — but in reverse. This is the most important thing to understand about TW 5100.

What Happens at 1–2%

Defoamer molecules spread across bubble surfaces, collapse them, and keep the ink body free of entrained air. Prints are smooth, uniform, and defect-free.

What Happens Above 2%

Excess defoamer molecules that have no bubbles to collapse begin to form their own microscopic oil droplets in the ink body. These droplets land on the substrate as fish eyes, craters, and surface repellency defects — visually similar to the foam defects you were trying to prevent.

The Rule

Always start at 1% and add in 0.5% increments if foam persists. Never exceed 2% by weight. If you are still seeing foam defects at 2%, the issue is mechanical or the ink is over-thinned — not a defoamer dosage problem.

Complete TW Graphics Water-Based Additives Guide

TW 5100 works alongside the rest of the TW Graphics additive lineup to give you complete control over every press variable. All stocked in San Antonio, TX — ships same day.

TW 5100 Defoamer

TW 5100 Defoamer THIS PRODUCT

1–2% by weight

Eliminates bubbling and foaming at high press speeds. Prevents pinholes, craters, and surface defects in the dried ink film. Do not exceed 2% — over-defoaming causes fish eyes.

TW Z1820 Thinner

TW Z1820 Thinner

5–10% by weight

Standard viscosity reducer. Note that over-thinning increases foam potential — if you are adding significant thinner, pair with TW 5100 to manage the resulting foam.

TW Z1822 Retarder

TW Z1822 Retarder

5–10% by weight

Slows in-screen drying speed. Like thinners, retarders reduce ink body and can increase foam susceptibility at speed — another reason TW 5100 is a useful pairing on modified ink runs.

TW Z1823 Slow Retarder

TW Z1823 Slow Retarder

5–10% by weight

Maximum open time in the screen. For fine-detail and slow print cycle work. Use sparingly — over-retarding causes blocking and amplifies foam risk at speed.

TW 5009 Thickener

TW 5008 / 5009 Liquid Thickener

0.5–1% by weight

Increases ink viscosity. Note that higher viscosity naturally reduces foam potential — if foam is severe, check whether the ink is over-thinned before reaching for TW 5100.

TW XPX1018 WB-Activator

TW XPX1018 WB-Activator

10% by weight

Cross-linker for chemical resistance. On high-speed runs with activated ink, add TW 5100 as standard practice — the combination of activator and high press speed is a prime foam scenario.

TW 25233 Flattening Powder

TW 25233 Flattening Powder

1–8% by weight

Reduces gloss to satin or matte. Flattening Powder increases ink viscosity, which can slightly affect foam behavior — re-evaluate defoamer needs after adding both to the same batch.

Browse all TW Graphics water-based additives at River City Supply →

Screen Room Recommendation

Best Emulsion for TW Graphics Poster Inks: Murakami Photocure Pro

If you are running TW water-based inks fast enough to need a defoamer, you are running production-level print speeds. Your emulsion needs to hold up to match. Murakami Photocure Pro is our recommendation for TW Graphics water-based printing — its dual-cure chemistry and 38% solids content deliver the stencil durability that high-volume poster and flat-stock printing demands.

Murakami Photocure Pro Emulsion

Murakami Photocure Pro Emulsion

Dual-cure photopolymer emulsion with 38% solids. Exceptional resolution for fine-line and halftone poster work. Blue-colored for excellent coating visibility. Exposes 3–5x faster than diazo — the right choice when your press is running fast and your screen room needs to keep up.

Exceptional Resolution
Water-Based Compatible
38% Solids
3–5x Faster Exposure

Shop Photocure Pro →

Murakami MS Emulsion Hardener

Murakami MS Hardener

For Extended Long Runs & Maximum Water Resistance

On high-volume automatic runs where you need TW 5100 Defoamer, MS Hardener on your Photocure Pro screens completes the equation. Hardens the stencil against moisture and water-based ink breakdown across thousands of impressions. One-part system, reclaimable stencils.

Maximum Water Resistance
Reclaimable Stencils
One-Part System

Shop MS Hardener →

Compatible TW 5500 Flat Series Inks

TW 5100 Defoamer works with every color in the TW 5500 Flat Series and the TW 5000 Gloss Series. Click any color to shop.

TW 5501

TW 5501Green Shade Yellow

 

TW 5502

TW 5502Red Shade Yellow

 

TW 5505

TW 5505Magenta

 

TW 5507

TW 5507Violet

 

TW 5509

TW 5509Green Shade Blue

 

TW 5518

TW 5518Process Blue

 

TW 5521

TW 5521Hi-Hide White

 

TW 5525

TW 5525Opaque Black

 

TW 5570

TW 5570Metallic Silver

 

TW 5591

TW 5591Neon Red

 

TW 5595

TW 5595Arc Yellow

 

TW 5598

TW 5598Horizon Blue

 

 

🌈

Custom PantoneMatched to Your Spec

Why Buy From River City Supply?

We have been supplying screen printers since 2008. TW Graphics stocked, deep in inventory, shipped same day from San Antonio, TX.

🕒 Same-Day Shipping

Orders placed before 3:30 PM CT ship the same business day from San Antonio, TX.

🌎 Faster Than Ordering Direct

TW Graphics is in California. We are in San Antonio — 1–3 day transit to most of the U.S., consistently faster than ordering direct.

🚚 Free Shipping Over $200

Hit $200 and shipping is on us. Stock up on defoamer, inks, emulsion, and all your additives in one order.

🎉 Authorized TW Distributor

River City Supply is an authorized TW Graphics distributor. Genuine product, full lineup in stock.

📞 Real People, Real Help

Call (512) 454-0505 or email [email protected] with questions on usage rates or which additives to combine.

⚠ Do Not Exceed 2%

Over-defoaming causes fish eyes and surface repellency defects — the same visual problem as foam, caused by excess defoamer molecules in the ink body. Start at 1% and increment only if needed.

⚠ Stir Gently After Adding

Vigorous stirring after adding defoamer defeats its purpose by re-introducing air. Stir slowly and steadily until fully incorporated, then allow 2–3 minutes to rest before going to press.

⚠ Check Ink Viscosity First

Persistent foaming despite proper defoamer use is often a sign of over-thinned ink. If foam continues at 2%, evaluate whether the ink has been over-reduced with water or thinner before adding more defoamer.

Running at High Speed?

If your automatic press is running at production speed with TW water-based inks, TW 5100 should be part of your standard ink setup — not a reactive fix when foam problems show up mid-run.

Pair with Other Additives

TW 5100 is compatible with all other TW Graphics additives. Running activated ink? Running thinned ink at speed? Add TW 5100 to stabilize the foam that both scenarios introduce.

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
Product Name TW 5100 Defoamer
Product Type Water-Based Ink Additive — Defoamer / Anti-Foam Agent
Manufacturer TW Graphics (USA, est. 1923)
Usage Rate 1–2% by weight of ink — do not exceed 2%
Primary Function Eliminates bubbling and foaming effect when printing at high press speeds; prevents pinholes and surface crater defects
When to Use High-speed automatic runs, large solid coverage areas, heavily thinned or modified ink, freshly mixed ink batches, premium high-value jobs
Compatible Inks TW 5500 Flat Series, TW 5000 Gloss Series, TW Custom Pantone Water-Based Inks
Compatible Additives Compatible with all TW additives: TW Z1820 Thinner, TW Z1822/Z1823 Retarders, TW 5008/5009 Thickener, TW 25233 Flattening Powder, TW XPX1018 WB-Activator
Effect on Viscosity Negligible at 1–2% usage rates
Effect on Color None at recommended usage rates
Over-Use Warning Exceeding 2% by weight causes fish eyes and surface repellency defects in the dried ink film
Mixing Method Weigh and stir gently into ink; avoid vigorous stirring which re-introduces air; allow 2–3 minutes rest before press-up
Cure / Dry Process No change to standard TW cure parameters; air dry 20–30 min at room temp, force dry seconds at 90–150°F (32–66°C)
Recommended Press Speed Primarily for high-speed automatic runs; also beneficial at any speed when foam defects are observed
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

What does TW 5100 Defoamer actually do?

It eliminates the bubbling and foaming effect that occurs when water-based poster inks are printed at high press speeds. The defoamer works by breaking the surface tension of air bubbles in the ink body before they can transfer through the screen mesh and onto the substrate. This prevents pinholes, craters, and surface texture defects in the dried ink film. It is specifically referenced in TW Graphics’ own technical documentation as the solution for high-speed printing foam issues.

How much defoamer do I add?

Add 1–2% by weight of ink. Weigh your ink on a gram scale, calculate 1–2% of that weight, and weigh the defoamer separately before adding. Always start at 1% and evaluate before adding more. For example, 500g of ink at 1.5% requires 7.5g of defoamer. Never exceed 2% — over-defoaming causes its own set of surface defects.

Why can’t I just add more defoamer if foam is still a problem?

This is the most important rule with any defoamer. At 1–2%, the defoamer molecules target air bubbles and collapse them. Above 2%, there are more defoamer molecules than there are bubbles to collapse. The excess molecules begin forming microscopic oil droplets in the ink body, which transfer to the substrate as fish eyes, craters, and areas of surface repellency — visually similar to foam defects but caused by the defoamer itself. If you are still seeing foam at 2%, the problem is likely over-thinned ink or mechanical — not a defoamer dosage issue.

Do I need defoamer on every print job?

No. At lower press speeds and with press-ready unmodified ink, foam is usually not significant enough to cause visible defects. TW 5100 is primarily recommended for high-speed automatic press runs, large solid coverage areas, heavily thinned or modified ink batches, and high-value jobs where any surface defect is unacceptable. If you are printing slowly on a manual or semi-automatic press with unmodified ink, you likely do not need it.

Why does foam get worse at higher press speeds?

Every flood bar stroke beats air into the ink body. At low press speeds, bubbles have time to rise and escape before the squeegee stroke forces them through the mesh. At high speeds, the cycle time is too short — bubbles get driven through the screen and onto the substrate before they have a chance to dissipate. This is a mechanical reality of high-speed water-based printing, not a sign of a bad ink formulation.

Can I use TW 5100 with other TW Graphics additives in the same ink batch?

Yes. TW 5100 is compatible with the full TW Graphics additive lineup — TW Z1820 Thinner, TW Z1822/Z1823 Retarders, TW 5008/5009 Thickener, TW 25233 Flattening Powder, and TW XPX1018 WB-Activator. In fact, if you are running a heavily modified ink batch with thinner and retarder at high speed, TW 5100 is particularly important because those additives reduce ink viscosity and increase foam potential.

How should I mix the defoamer into the ink?

Stir slowly and steadily. Vigorous or rapid stirring after adding the defoamer counteracts its work by introducing new air into the ink body. Once the defoamer is evenly distributed — which takes about 30–60 seconds of gentle stirring — allow the ink to rest for 2–3 minutes before going to press. Existing bubbles from mixing will begin to collapse during that rest period.

I’m still seeing foam defects even after adding defoamer at 1.5%. What else should I check?

Before adding more defoamer, check these: (1) Is the ink over-thinned? Ink that is too low in viscosity foams more aggressively and is harder to control with defoamer alone. Try a slightly thicker consistency. (2) Did you stir gently after adding? Vigorous post-addition stirring defeats the defoamer. (3) Is the flood bar pressure or angle contributing? Excessive flood bar pressure drives more air into the ink per stroke. (4) Are you running faster than the ink can handle at its current formulation? Sometimes slowing the press slightly is more effective than chemical intervention.

Which TW Graphics inks does TW 5100 work with?

TW 5100 is designed for the full TW Graphics water-based poster ink line — TW 5500 Flat Series, TW 5000 Gloss Series, and TW Custom Pantone Water-Based Inks. It is not intended for plastisol, solvent-based, or UV-curable ink systems.

Why order from River City Supply instead of direct from TW Graphics?

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 day, and most customers receive orders within 1–3 business days — consistently faster than ordering from TW direct. Orders over $200 ship free. Our team at (512) 454-0505 can help with usage rates, additive combinations, and press troubleshooting specific to your job.

Questions? Call (512) 454-0505 or email [email protected]

Reviews

You May Also Like

Related products

Additional Options

Read Our Reviews

Need Help?

Contact Us

Monday - Friday
9am - 5pm

Free in-store pickup

In-stock orders ready in 1 hour

Get the latest news & exclusive offers