← All symptoms
Safety stop: Stop the process if there is smoke, an electrical fault, a strong unfamiliar odor, melting, cracked glass, or evidence that the material is not heat-rated. Follow the equipment and blank manufacturer’s safety instructions.

Describe what you can observe

These answers only reorder checks. They do not create a diagnosis from unsupported inputs.

Did the symptom affect the whole image or only part of it?
Does it repeat in the same location on another blank?

Prioritized checks

Starting order

Confirm or weaken each cause before changing the next variable.

1

Blank coating is defective, damaged, or not intended for the process

Evidence that supports it

  • Flaking exists before pressing or repeats within one blank lot.

Evidence against it

  • A control from the same lot and process is sound.

Safe next actions

  1. Stop using the lot and document photos, SKU, lot, and settings.
  2. Contact the blank supplier; do not conceal structural coating failure.
2

Process exceeded the coating’s documented range

Evidence that supports it

  • Blistering, softening, browning, or deformation accompanies failure.

Evidence against it

  • Recorded process values and calibrated measurements match the exact instruction.

Safe next actions

  1. Quarantine affected work.
  2. Verify actual platen temperature and the exact product instruction before retesting.

Stop condition: Stop if the coating emits smoke or an unfamiliar odor, or if the material identity/safety rating is unknown.

Evidence

Sources

  1. Sawgrass TechnologiesHow to Troubleshoot Sublimation Color IssuesOfficial source · last checked 2026-08-04
  2. Johnson Plastics PlusSublimation Technology FAQsOfficial source · last checked 2026-08-04