GANG SHEETS

A DTF (Direct to Film) gang sheet is a large print layout used in the DTF printing process. In this method, designs are printed onto a special film and then transferred onto various materials like apparel, fabric, or other substrates.

A gang sheet is a print layout that organizes multiple designs onto a single sheet of film. This technique is often used in the DTF process to maximize the use of the film, ensuring that multiple designs (which may vary in size and shape) can be printed simultaneously, thus saving on material and production costs.

In simpler terms:

  • DTF: Refers to the printing process where designs are printed onto a film and transferred to a product.
  • Gang sheet: A method of arranging several designs on a single sheet for efficient printing, reducing waste and time.

 

This approach is trendy for printing multiple designs or orders in one batch, such as when fulfilling custom t-shirt orders with different designs for a group of customers.

Resources

Gather Your Artwork
Gang Sheet Size
Design Software
Gang Sheet Canvas
Arrange Designs
Final File Checks
Saving Your File
Order Gang Sheet

A gang sheet is a print layout that maximizes the use of printing material by placing multiple designs on a single sheet.

FILE REQUIREMENTS

  • High-Resolution, 300 ppi
  • PNG file on transparent background
  • Individual design files if you use our builder to lay out your gang sheet.
  • A gang sheet file sized exactly for the size needed will be uploaded into the builder. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a gang sheet:

  1. Gather Your Artwork
    1. Collect all the designs you want to include on the gang sheet.
    2. Ensure the files are high-resolution and Vector or PNG files on a transparent background.
    3. High-resolution is 300 ppi at full design size in RGB color format. 
  2. Determine Gang Sheet Size
    1. Our printers run material that is 22″ (inches) Wide by up to 20′ (feet) Long.
    2. You may need to do some basic math based on your individual images to determine the length needed.
  3. Design Software
    1. There are several design software that can be used to build your finished gang sheet.
    2. If you cannot access one of the software options below, you can use our builder to upload and layout your gang sheet. See the tutorial video to the right. 
    3. We recommend Adobe Illustrator. However, we also have a tutorial on using Canva as well.
    4. Other options include Corel Draw, Adobe Photoshop, Affinity Designer, and Inkscape.
    5. The most important thing to remember is that all files used in laying out a gang sheet must be high-resolution and the file that is submitted for printing must be high-resolution as well.
  4. Set Up Gang Sheet Canvas
    1. Create a new document in your design software with the exact dimensions of the final sheet size. 
    2. Do not make files larger to account for margins. A 22″ wide gang sheet should be exactly 22″ wide. 
    3. Use guides or grids to help align and space designs evenly.
  5. Place and Arrange Designs
    1. Import/place all designs in your new gang sheet.
    2. Scale, duplicate, and/or move each design to fit within the sheet without overlapping.
    3. We recommend leaving a .15″ margin between images for cutting designs apart.
    4. Do not add a margin at the artboard’s edge, but ensure no images extend outside the artboard.
    5. Rotate designs if necessary to maximize material usage. 
  6. Final File Checks
    1. Once the gang sheet file is finished, double-check that you are exporting it as PNG on a transparent background.
    2. Also, confirm that the file is exported in High Resolution, 300 ppi.  
  7. Saving Your File
    1. We request a specific file-naming convention when it comes to gang sheets. This helps us stay organized and allows you to quickly reference files should you need a reprint.
    2. File Name Example: “lastname_gangsheet_description.png
    3. johnson_gangsheet_christmas.png
  8. Ordering Your Gang Sheet 
    1. You are now ready to submit your finished gang sheet for printing.
    2. Use the button to the right to:
      1. Upload your finished gang sheet file.
      2. Upload individual files and use our tool to build your gang sheet.
    3. Once you add your gang sheet to the cart, you will be redirected to the checkout page. You must select the correct size and pay the correct amount during checkout or your entire order will be deleted. 

7. Save the File

Tips

  • Efficiency: Use as much of the sheet as possible to reduce material waste.
  • Consistency: Ensure uniform scaling and positioning.
  • Proofing: Double-check the layout before printing to avoid errors.

Resources

Resources