Numerical modelling has shown that the form of the quartz OSL shine plateau (hereafter 'D-e(t)-plot') is influenced by the effects of phototransferred TL in the similar to 110 degrees C region. It is suggested also that the presence of multiple OSL components (as described by Bailey, Smith and Rhodes, 1997. Partial bleaching and the decay form characteristics of quartz OSL. Radiat. Meas., 27, 123-136; Bailey, 1998. The form of the optically stimulated luminescence signal of quartz: implications of dating. Unpublished PhD thesis, University of London) affects the form of the D-e(t)-plot. Laboratory measurements of a fully reset and artificially dosed sample yielded non-flat D-e(t)-plots, the deviation being greater for the larger of the two simulated palaeodoses, in accordance with theoretical predictions. It is suggested that the so-called 'shine plateau' test is of limited use in assessing the bleaching history of quartz sediments. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.