Cracked and peeling graphics
Also: cracked print · peeling print · distressed graphic
Cracked graphics are the splits, flaking, and peeling of a screen-printed or heat-pressed design, where the plastisol ink hardens and breaks along fold lines. Common on vintage tees and logo hoodies, it can be an authentic patina or a defect, and it counts under cosmetic appearance.
How to detect it
- Flex the printed area gently and watch for the ink to crack or lift
- Look along fold and stretch lines, where plastisol splits first
- Check for missing flakes that leave gaps in letters or the logo
Grade impact
Cracked graphics sit under Cosmetic Appearance (20%). On a vintage tee, even, intentional-looking cracking is desirable patina and barely moves an Excellent (8) grade; on a newer piece, heavy peeling that erases the design pulls it toward Good (6) or Fair (5).
Fixability
Essentially permanent. There's no reliable way to re-bond flaked plastisol at home, and heat can worsen it. For vintage buyers the cracking is often the appeal, so it's disclosed as patina rather than repaired.
How to disclose it
Describe the print state ('graphic has authentic vintage cracking, no flaking loss') and photograph it close. Distinguish stable patina from active flaking, since buyers price those very differently.
Cracked graphics — frequently asked
- Does a cracked graphic always lower the grade?
- Not much on vintage pieces, where even cracking reads as desirable patina and is graded lightly. On newer garments, heavy peeling that removes parts of the design is a defect and pulls the cosmetic grade down toward Good or Fair.
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