Troubleshooting 5 of 6
Production Problems
Suspect the production process when the file, software, machine, and material pass individual checks but the combined job still fails. Change one controlled variable at a time during diagnosis.
Production diagnosis
| Symptom | Likely cause | Diagnostic step | Correction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Image is reversed | Mirroring was applied or omitted incorrectly | Check the method requirement and RIP or driver preview | Set mirroring once at the correct workflow stage |
| Image is the wrong size | Automatic fit, scale, unit conversion, or template mismatch | Measure the output and compare the complete job setup | Enter controlled dimensions and disable unintended scaling |
| Ghosting or doubled edges | Movement during transfer, unstable material, or incorrect handling | Inspect fixture, pressure, paper or film movement, and removal sequence | Secure the job and follow the validated transfer procedure |
| Poor cure or durability | Incorrect process time, temperature, pressure, ink, pretreatment, or finishing | Review recorded settings and perform the approved durability check | Revalidate the complete process combination |
| White edge or underbase is visible | Registration, choke, transparency edge, or scaling mismatch | Inspect the alpha edge and RIP separations | Clean the artwork edge or correct the validated underbase and registration settings |
| First unit passes but later units fail | Uncontrolled drift, heat buildup, contamination, or material variation | Compare units in sequence and machine or material records | Stop, restore the validated state, and increase in-process checks |