A method for detection of deviations in packaging containers is disclosed, comprising creating a virtual model of a packaging container in a virtual coordinate system (x, y, z), defining a deformation zone on a surface of the virtual model, creating a defined deviation in the deformation zone having a defined geometry and coordinates in the virtual coordinate system (x, y, z) to create a controlled deformation of the virtual model, producing an image rendering of the virtual model with said controlled deformation to generate image features representing a deviation in the packaging container, associating the image features with different categories of deviations, and inputting the image features to a machine learning-based model for subsequent detection of categories of deviations in packaging containers in a packaging machine based on the image features. A system for detection of deviations is also disclosed.