Guides for this product
TW 5540 Halftone Yellow – Flat Water-Based Poster Ink
TW Graphics
TW 5540 Halftone Yellow is the yellow of the four-color (CMYK) halftone set, transparent so it builds color with the cyan and magenta. It is part of the TW 5500 Series Flat Water-Based Poster Ink. TW Graphics 5500 Series is a one-component, flat-finish water-based screen printing ink for posters, card stock, Tyvek and plastics such as Coroplast, styrene, PVC and polycarbonate. It air dries in 20 to 30 minutes or force dries in seconds, cleans up with water-based press wash, and gives rich, non-glare color.
Price range: $75.96 through $151.92
Description
TW 5540 Halftone Yellow – Flat Water-Based Poster Ink
TW 5540 Halftone Yellow is the yellow of the four-color (CMYK) halftone set, transparent so it builds color with the cyan and magenta. It is part of the TW 5500 Series Flat Water-Based Poster Ink.
TW Graphics 5500 Series is a one-component, flat-finish water-based screen printing ink for posters, card stock, Tyvek and plastics such as Coroplast, styrene, PVC and polycarbonate. It air dries in 20 to 30 minutes or force dries in seconds, cleans up with water-based press wash, and gives rich, non-glare color.
About TW 5500 halftone process colors
The TW 5500 halftone colors (5540 to 5543) are TW’s Advanced Color Gamut inks for four-color process printing, with 5544 Halftone Extender to adjust strength. Process inks are transparent so overlapping dots build the full range of colors.
Print settings at a glance
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Mesh count | 200-380 (80-150/cm) mono polyester |
| Coverage | 1,400-2,000 sq ft/gal (33-47 m²/L) |
| Air dry | 20-30 minutes at room temperature |
| Force dry | Seconds at 90-150°F (32-66°C) |
| Thinner | Z1820 or water, 5-10% max by wt |
| Retarder | Z1822 / Z1823, 5-10% max by wt |
How to use it
- 1Stir the ink thoroughly before use.
- 2Coat the screen with a solvent- and water-proof emulsion (dual-cure recommended) on 200 to 380 mesh, and let it dry fully before exposure.
- 3Use a sharp 70 to 85 durometer polyurethane squeegee.
- 4If needed, reduce with Z1820 thinner or water, no more than 5 to 10% by weight; use Z1822 or Z1823 retarder for fine detail, slow print cycles or hot shops.
- 5For Coroplast or extra chemical resistance, add 5 to 10% XPX1018 Activator by weight and use within about 24 hours.
Before you buy
The complete TW 5500 Series Flat Water-Based Poster Ink guide
Gives rich colors with a flat, non-gloss finish. Air dries in 20 to 30 minutes at room temperature and force dries in seconds at 90 to 150°F (32 to 66°C). Read the full TW 5500 Series Flat Water-Based Poster Ink guide for substrates, durability, additives and every color in the line.
Related TW colors
Sizes & SKUs
Order by SKU or TW code, or call us — it is the fastest way to reorder exactly what you ran last time.
| Size | SKU |
|---|---|
| Quart | TW 5540 Halftone Yellow – Quart |
| Gallon | TW 5540 Halftone Yellow – Gallon |
Everything you need to print it
Screens & mesh
Pre-stretched screens and mesh by the yard in the counts this ink prints best through.
Emulsion & film
Water-resistant emulsion or capillary film, applied with a scoop coater.
Exposure
Burn sharp stencils on an exposure unit.
Squeegees
Sharp, even blades from our squeegee selection.
Tape & blockout
Seal screen edges with screen tape.
Drying & curing
Drying racks and forced-air dryers to speed production.
Clean-up
Press wash, ink degradents, emulsion remover and haze remover to reclaim screens.
TW 5000 Gloss series
Additives
Questions about TW 5540 Halftone Yellow?
Tell us the substrate, the artwork and your press and we will tell you exactly what to run. Same-day shipping on orders before 3:30 PM CT from San Antonio, TX.
Technical Specifications
TW 5540 Halftone Yellow — technical specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product code | TW 5540 |
| Color / product | Halftone Yellow |
| Ink type | One-component water-based |
| Finish | Flat |
| Substrates | Card stock, plastics, Tyvek, wood |
| Mesh count | 200-380 (80-150/cm) mono polyester |
| Stencil | Solvent- and water-proof emulsion |
| Recommended emulsion | Dual-cure |
| Squeegee | Sharp 70-85 durometer polyurethane |
| Coverage | 1,400-2,000 sq ft/gal (33-47 m²/L) |
| Air dry | 20-30 minutes at room temperature |
| Force dry | Seconds at 90-150°F (32-66°C) |
| Thinner | Z1820 or water, 5-10% max by wt |
| Retarder | Z1822 / Z1823, 5-10% max by wt |
| Defoamer | 5100 Defoamer, 1-2% by weight |
| Flattening powder | 1-8% by weight |
| Thickener | 5009 Liquid Thickener, 1/2-1% by wt |
| Activator | XPX1018 Activator, 5-10% by wt |
| Activator pot life | About 24 hours, reactivate once |
| Exterior durability | Up to 3 years (most substrates) |
| Clean-up | Water-based press wash |
| Storage | Room temp, below 100°F (38°C) |
| Freeze protection | Protect from freezing |
| Package sizes | Qt, gal, 5-gal; 30/50-gal drums |
| Pigments | Automotive grade |
| Color concentrates | WB series, max 30% by weight |
| Made in | USA |
| Reflex/Ultra Blue outdoor | Up to 2 years |
| SKUs | TW 5540 Halftone Yellow – Quart, TW 5540 Halftone Yellow – Gallon |
Specifications are from TW Graphics. Always test print on your substrate before a production run. Questions? Call (512) 454-0505.
Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents
TW 5540 Halftone Yellow — documents
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
What is TW 5540 Halftone Yellow?
TW 5540 Halftone Yellow is the yellow of the four-color (CMYK) halftone set, transparent so it builds color with the cyan and magenta. It is part of the TW 5500 Series Flat Water-Based Poster Ink. TW Graphics 5500 Series is a one-component, flat-finish water-based screen printing ink for posters, card stock, Tyvek and plastics such as Coroplast, styrene, PVC and polycarbonate. It air dries in 20 to 30 minutes or force dries in seconds, cleans up with water-based press wash, and gives rich, non-glare color.
Can I use standard colors instead of halftone colors for process?
No. Standard colors are more opaque, so overlapping dots will not mix into clean secondary colors.
What is the Halftone Extender Base for?
It lowers color strength while keeping the ink transparent, which helps you fine-tune color balance.
What mesh works for halftones?
Stay within the 200 to 380 range and lean toward the finer end for small dots.
What is the difference between the 5500 and 5000 Series?
The 5500 Series dries to a flat finish; the 5000 Series dries to a high gloss. Both share the same mesh, drying and clean-up guidelines.
How fast does it dry?
About 20 to 30 minutes in open air, or seconds in a dryer at 90 to 150°F (32 to 66°C).
Will it print on Coroplast?
Yes, on treated Coroplast and fluted polyolefin, with XPX1018 Activator added for chemical resistance.
What mesh count works best?
200 to 380 monofilament polyester mesh.
Can I thin it with water?
Yes. Use water or Z1820 thinner, up to 5 to 10% by weight. Too much slows drying and can cause blocking.
How long will it last outdoors?
Up to three years on most substrates. Reflex Blue and Ultra Blue are rated up to two years.
Can I make custom colors?
Yes. Mix from the single-pigment colors, or add WB color concentrates at up to 30% by weight to the clear base or white.
How should I store it?
At room temperature, below 100°F (38°C), and protected from freezing.
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