Proof showed a design that couldn't be printed

This was a highly detailed design with a background of three shades of blue, and textured. The proof looked great, but printed sticker lost the middle shade entirely, no texture, and the second shade was so close it just looks like the printer smudged the ink. Why was there no point at which someone QA'd this design or final product? Obviously this design is well beyond the capabilities of the technology, and should have been stopped before production or before shipping.