TW Z1820 Thinner – Water-Based Poster Ink Additive
TW Graphics
TW Z1820 Thinner is a water-based poster ink additive from TW Graphics. TW Graphics water-based additives fine-tune the 5000 Gloss and 5500 Flat Series inks on press: thinner and retarders adjust viscosity and open time, thickener firms ink for halftones, defoamer stops bubbling at high speeds, the WB activator adds chemical resistance on Coroplast, and flattening powder knocks gloss down to satin or flat.
Price range: $26.99 through $72.45
Description
TW Z1820 Thinner – Water-Based Poster Ink Additive
TW Z1820 Thinner is a water-based poster ink additive from TW Graphics.
TW Graphics water-based additives fine-tune the 5000 Gloss and 5500 Flat Series inks on press: thinner and retarders adjust viscosity and open time, thickener firms ink for halftones, defoamer stops bubbling at high speeds, the WB activator adds chemical resistance on Coroplast, and flattening powder knocks gloss down to satin or flat.
What it is for
Key facts
Water or Z1820 thinner can be used for normal press viscosity reduction, up to 5 to 10% by weight.
Total thinner or retarder should not exceed 5 to 10% by weight; over-reducing causes blocking and much slower drying.
Z1823 Slow Retarder is meant for fine detail, slow print cycles and high shop temperatures.
Liquid thickener at 1/2 to 1% by weight raises viscosity for fine detail and halftones; mix well and let it develop 10 minutes before printing.
5100 Defoamer at 1 to 2% by weight reduces bubbling and foaming at high press speeds.
The WB activator improves chemical resistance and is required on treated Coroplast and fluted polyolefin.
Once added, the activator stays active for about 24 hours and can be reactivated once.
Flattening powder at 1 to 8% by weight changes gloss ink to a satin or flat finish and increases viscosity.
How to use it
- 1Weigh the ink and calculate the additive by weight, not by volume.
- 2Add thinner or water first if the ink is too heavy, staying at or under 5 to 10% by weight.
- 3Add retarder sparingly when ink dries in the screen; switch to slow retarder for fine detail or hot conditions.
- 4For halftones, add 1/2 to 1% liquid thickener, mix well and wait 10 minutes.
- 5If ink foams at high press speeds, add 1 to 2% 5100 Defoamer.
- 6For Coroplast or extra chemical resistance, mix in the WB activator and print within about 24 hours.
- 7To lower gloss, add 1 to 8% flattening powder, then reduce with water or thinner if it gets too thick.
Before you buy
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 Z1820 Thinner – Quart |
| Gallon | TW Z1820 Thinner – 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
TW 5500 Flat
Questions about TW Z1820 Thinner?
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 Z1820 Thinner — technical specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product code | TW Z1820 |
| Color / product | Thinner |
| Type | Up to 5-10% by weight (or water) |
| Product | Thinner (Z1820) |
| Use rate | Up to 5-10% by weight |
| Purpose | Normal press viscosity reduction |
| Compatible inks | TW 5000 and 5500 Series |
| SKUs | TW Z1820 Thinner – Quart, TW Z1820 Thinner – 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 Z1820 Thinner — documents
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
What is TW Z1820 Thinner?
TW Z1820 Thinner is a water-based poster ink additive from TW Graphics. TW Graphics water-based additives fine-tune the 5000 Gloss and 5500 Flat Series inks on press: thinner and retarders adjust viscosity and open time, thickener firms ink for halftones, defoamer stops bubbling at high speeds, the WB activator adds chemical resistance on Coroplast, and flattening powder knocks gloss down to satin or flat.
Can I just use water instead of thinner?
Yes. Water or Z1820 thinner can be used for normal viscosity reduction, up to 5 to 10% by weight.
What is the difference between the retarder and slow retarder?
The retarder slows drying in the screen for general use. The slow retarder is for fine detail, slow print cycles and high temperatures.
How much WB activator should I add?
2 to 3% by weight for the 5000 Series and 5 to 10% by weight for the 5500 Series, per TW’s data sheets.
How long does activated ink last?
About 24 hours under most conditions. It can be reactivated one more time.
Will flattening powder make gloss ink matte?
Yes. 1 to 8% by weight turns gloss ink satin or flat. It also thickens the ink, so reduce as needed.
How long does the thickener take to work?
Mix well and let the viscosity develop for 10 minutes before printing.
Do I need the activator on paper and card stock?
It is required on treated Coroplast and fluted polyolefin and is used to improve chemical resistance; TW does not call for it on card stock.
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