← 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

Edge lacks contact or pressure

Evidence that supports it

  • Failure follows a bevel, seam, taper, or warped corner.

Evidence against it

  • The transfer print is missing ink in the same area.

Safe next actions

  1. Confirm the blank is flat and centered.
  2. Use only the product-approved pad, wrap, or fixture.
2

Image extends beyond the effective heat zone

Evidence that supports it

  • The failure aligns with a platen edge or mug-element boundary.

Evidence against it

  • The entire image area is within a verified heat zone.

Safe next actions

  1. Reposition within the effective platen area.
  2. Use correctly sized equipment instead of unsafe overlapping presses.

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