Chromaline ChromaBlue Photopolymer Emulsion – Fast-Exposing Screen Printing Emulsion for Plastisol Inks

Chromaline Chromablue Safety Data Sheet

Chromaline Chromablue Technical Data Sheet

What is Chromaline ChromaBlue emulsion used for?

Chromaline ChromaBlue is a pure photopolymer screen printing emulsion designed primarily for use with plastisol inks. It is ideally suited for textile screen printers who need fast screen turnaround without sacrificing image quality. ChromaBlue works on mesh counts ranging from 85 to 305 and handles everything from bold spot-color graphics to detailed halftone work at 45 LPI and above. It is Chromaline’s best-selling emulsion and the industry standard for SBQ photopolymer emulsions.

Do I need to mix ChromaBlue with a sensitizer or diazo?

No. ChromaBlue is a one-part, pre-sensitized photopolymer emulsion that is ready to use straight from the container. There is no diazo to mix, no waiting time, and no pot life concerns. Simply stir gently before use, pour into your scoop coater, and coat your screens. This eliminates mixing errors and saves time compared to diazo or dual-cure emulsions.

How do I coat screens with ChromaBlue emulsion?

For best results, follow these steps:

• Degrease your screen – Apply mesh degreaser to both sides, work up a lather, rinse thoroughly, and allow the screen to dry completely.
• Coat the print side first – Using a clean scoop coater, slowly apply one even coat to the print side (shirt side) of the screen.
• Coat the squeegee side – Flip the screen and apply one coat to the squeegee side.
• Additional coats (optional) – For thicker stencils, apply additional coats to the squeegee side while the emulsion is still wet.

A standard 1+1 coat ratio (one coat print side, one coat squeegee side) provides excellent single-stroke coverage with ChromaBlue. One coat of ChromaBlue is equivalent to approximately four coats of wet-on-wet diazo-based emulsions, so a single bucket lasts significantly longer.

How long do I expose ChromaBlue emulsion?

ChromaBlue is one of the fastest-exposing emulsions on the market. Exposure times vary depending on your light source, mesh count, mesh color, stencil thickness, and screen dryness:

• LED exposure units – As fast as 3–10 seconds
• UV fluorescent/black light units – Approximately 30 seconds to 3 minutes
• Metal halide/halogen units – Varies; typically very short

Because ChromaBlue exposes so quickly, accurate exposure is critical. We strongly recommend using a step wedge exposure calculator to dial in the correct time for your specific setup. Aim for a solid step 7 on the calculator for optimal stencil hardness and detail.

Key exposure variables:

• Lower mesh = slower exposure / Higher mesh = faster exposure
• Thicker stencil = slower exposure / Thinner stencil = faster exposure
• Yellow mesh = slower exposure than white mesh (approximately 30% longer)
• Screens must be completely dry before exposing – moisture causes underexposure

How do I wash out (develop) a ChromaBlue screen?

After exposing your screen:

• Gently spray both sides of the screen with lukewarm water.
• Wait approximately 30 seconds to allow the unexposed emulsion to soften.
• Gently wash the print side (shirt side) until the image is fully open and clear.
• Rinse both sides thoroughly and allow the screen to dry completely before printing.

Do not use high-pressure water during washout. Standard tap pressure or a gentle spray is sufficient. If the image is difficult to wash out or the emulsion feels slimy, the screen is likely underexposed. If fine details are not opening up, the screen may be overexposed. Use an exposure calculator to fine-tune your exposure time.

Is ChromaBlue easy to reclaim?

Yes. ChromaBlue is known for excellent reclaimability, which is one of the primary reasons screen printers prefer it. The emulsion reclaims quickly and cleanly with standard stencil removers and emulsion removers. Many users report that it removes easily regardless of the cleaning chemical used, with no stubborn stencil residue or ghosting issues. Follow up with a haze remover if any image staining remains after reclaiming.

What mesh counts work with ChromaBlue?

ChromaBlue works across a wide range of mesh counts from 85 to 305 and beyond. It is suitable for:

• Low mesh (85–160) – Ideal for heavy ink deposits on dark garments, athletic printing, and bold graphics.
• Mid mesh (180–230) – General purpose textile printing, spot colors, and standard graphic work.
• High mesh (255–305) – Fine detail, halftone printing, simulated process, and CMYK work.

ChromaBlue’s superior mesh bridging and high solids content ensure smooth, even coverage regardless of mesh count, reducing pinholes and improving stencil quality.

How should I store ChromaBlue emulsion?

Proper storage is essential to maximize the shelf life and performance of ChromaBlue:

• Store at room temperature in a cool, dry location.
• Do not store above 80°F (27°C) or below 32°F (0°C).
• ChromaBlue is NOT freeze/thaw stable. Freezing will permanently damage the emulsion.
• Keep the lid tightly sealed when not in use to prevent light exposure and air contamination.
• Return unused emulsion from the scoop coater back to the pail and cover immediately.
• Shelf life is approximately 24 months (2 years) when stored properly in the original container.

What are the specifications of Chromaline ChromaBlue?

• Emulsion Type – Pure photopolymer (SBQ), pre-sensitized
• Appearance – Blue
• Solids Content – 50% (no inert fillers)
• Viscosity – 4,600 CPS (medium)
• Exposure Speed – Very fast
• Recommended Coating – 1+1 (one print side, one squeegee side)
• Compatible Inks – Plastisol inks
• Compatible Mesh – 85 to 305+ mesh counts
• Drying Temperature – Do not exceed 110°F (43°C)
• Shelf Life – 24 months at room temperature
• Storage – Room temperature; not freeze/thaw stable
• Darkroom Humidity – Keep below 40% for best results
• Manufacturer – Chromaline (an IKONICS company)

Why should I choose ChromaBlue over other emulsions?

ChromaBlue is Chromaline’s best-selling emulsion and the standard by which all other SBQ photopolymer emulsions are measured. Here’s why screen printers consistently choose ChromaBlue:

• Fastest exposure times in the category – LED exposure units can expose in as little as 3 seconds.
• 1+1 coating eliminates double-stroking – One coat of ChromaBlue replaces up to four coats of diazo emulsions, doubling production speed and cutting emulsion costs per screen.
• 50% solids with no inert fillers – Higher solids content means better mesh bridging, sharper detail, and a more durable stencil.
• Effortless reclaiming – Removes cleanly with standard stencil removers every time.
• No mixing required – Pre-sensitized, one-part emulsion is ready to use immediately with no pot life to worry about.
• Lower cost per screen – Don’t be fooled by price per gallon. If a cheaper emulsion requires 2+2 coating versus ChromaBlue’s 1+1, your cost per screen is likely higher with the cheaper product.