I'm not exactly sure what I mean by 'draining out' now I've read your explanation. Maybe incorrectly balanced or compressed on other transfers perhaps?

Do 8mm, 16mm and 35mm all 'hold' colour differently? I mean can you only fit a certain amount from a big colour cup into a small colour cup so to speak? If so, supposedly certain subtle tones will get shaved off and then if you add print fade and other adjustments on top of that when converting down to whatever your small format is then... = bad end result?