← All symptomsSafety 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.
Prioritized checks
Starting order
Confirm or weaken each cause before changing the next variable.
1
Substrate color or polyester content is reducing color yield
Evidence that supports it
- The blank is gray, colored, translucent, or a low-polyester blend.
Evidence against it
- A white high-polyester control shows the same result.
Safe next actions
- Compare with a white documented sublimation blank.
- Set customer expectations for blends and colored substrates.
2
Printer/profile/media mismatch
Evidence that supports it
- Neutral colors shift and multiple substrates show the same weak saturation.
Evidence against it
- A known-good control print transfers correctly.
Safe next actions
- Confirm the correct ink, paper, media setting, and output profile.
- Disable duplicate color correction when the documented workflow requires it.
3
Press is not delivering the documented starting energy
Evidence that supports it
- The issue repeats in one platen area or measured temperature is low.
Evidence against it
- The paper is browned or the blank is heat-damaged.
Safe next actions
- Verify platen temperature and pressure uniformity.
- Retest one variable at a time.