A small depression in the surface of an offset press blanket, caused by the accidental running of a foreign object or multiple sheets of paper though the impression nip. A blanket that has been smashed but is incapable of returning the depression back to its orginal thickness needs to be repaired or replaced. The indentation itself is typically not a problem of the rubber surface, but is rather one of the fibers of fabric forming its backing. When the fibers are compressed beyond their ability to recover, the blanket is smashed. Soaking the blanket for a day or so in water, or in water mixed with a wetting agent, then hanging it up to dry may help allow the fibers to return to their original dimensions. A non-reversible compression of any portion of a blanket, either the rubber or the fabric, is known as compression set. (See Blanket.)
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