In TLC, the plate is spotted at a point above the solvent front and the solvent moves up the plate by capillary action leading to the separation of the various components of the mixture spotted on the plate.
However, if the TLC plate is allowed to remain in the developing chamber for too long such that the solvent front reaches the top of the plate, the components of the mixture will recombine at the top of the plate and cancel out any separation which may have occurred on the plate.
