If you already lay out your own transfers, a well-prepared gang sheet is the quickest way to get consistent DTF prints back on time. This guide covers how we need files set up for our Upload Artwork product, and adds general best practice where it helps. Where something is a requirement of ours, we say so.

What is a DTF gang sheet?

A gang sheet is a single print file with many designs arranged on it: logos, chest prints, sleeve prints, labels, in any mix. We print the whole sheet onto DTF film in one go. You then cut out each transfer and press it onto the garment. Ganging designs makes good use of the film and keeps the cost per transfer down. Our sheets are priced by length, so a well-filled sheet is better value.

Canvas size: the 58cm DTF gang sheet template

All our gang sheets are 58cm (580mm) wide. Your file must be exactly 580mm wide, and its height should match the sheet length you order: 1m, 2m, 3m, 4m or 5m.

Sheet length	Canvas (mm)	Approx. pixels at 300 DPI
1m	580 x 1000	6850 x 11811
2m	580 x 2000	6850 x 23622
3m	580 x 3000	6850 x 35433
4m	580 x 4000	6850 x 47244
5m	580 x 5000	6850 x 59055

Keep all designs at least 5mm in from the sheet edges. We don't add margins for you.

Set the canvas up in millimetres from the start, in Illustrator, Photoshop, CorelDRAW or whatever you normally use. Scaling a finished layout to fit afterwards is a common way to end up with designs at the wrong size.

Resolution: 300 DPI

Files need to be 300 DPI minimum at the actual print size. A 300 DPI setting only helps if the artwork itself has that much detail. A small web logo upscaled to fill a 30cm chest print will still look soft or pixelated.

• Use vector artwork wherever you can, and rasterise it at 300 DPI when you export.
• Check photographic or raster designs at 100% zoom, at their final size, before you export.
• Very long sheets at 300 DPI make large files. PDF can help keep vector elements sharp without a huge file.

Transparent background

For Upload Artwork, the file must be a transparent PNG or PDF. Anything that isn't transparent will print. A white background prints as a solid white block, because every DTF transfer has a white ink base layer under the colour. We don't remove backgrounds on uploaded files, and a PNG with a white background will delay your order while we contact you.

Check transparency before you export. In most software, transparent areas show as a grey and white chequerboard. If you see solid white behind your designs, it will print.

Avoid semi-transparent pixels and white edges

This is general best practice rather than a stated requirement, but it's the most common cause of disappointing transfers:

• Soft edges and halos. Images cut out from a white background often keep a faint white or grey fringe. On a dark garment, it shows as a thin outline. Clean up edges at full size, or rebuild them in vector.
• Low-opacity areas. Drop shadows, glows, feathered edges and fades below roughly 50% opacity can print weakly or unevenly. Make them solid or remove them.
• Stray pixels. Almost-invisible specks left over from erasing will still print. Zoom in and check the empty areas of the sheet.

Colour mode

We recommend CMYK. RGB files are accepted and converted automatically, but very bright RGB colours, especially vivid greens, blues and neons, can come out duller after conversion. We print your file exactly as it's uploaded and don't colour-correct it. If colour accuracy matters for a job, work in CMYK on a calibrated monitor, and order a small test sheet before a larger run.

Spacing between designs

We print exactly what you upload. We don't rearrange or reposition designs, so the spacing is up to you. As general guidance:

• Leave a gap of about 5–10mm between designs, so each one can be cut out cleanly with scissors or a trimmer.
• Don't let designs touch or overlap unless they're meant to be pressed as one piece.
• Rotate designs to fill gaps. A row of small logos alongside a large back print is a common way to use the full 58cm width.
• Group designs by job or customer so they're easier to sort when the sheet arrives.

Mirroring: don't

Don't mirror your artwork. Upload designs the right way round, exactly as they should read on the garment. We handle mirroring as part of printing. If you're used to mirroring for other transfer methods, this is the one habit to drop.

Exporting your file

• Format: PNG (with transparency) or PDF only. We can't accept JPEG, TIFF, AI, EPS or SVG for Upload Artwork, and we don't convert file formats.
• Crop marks: don't include them, or any printer's marks or registration marks. They will print.
• Size: check the exported file reads 580mm wide and the correct height, at 300 DPI.
• Fonts: outline or embed them. This is general good practice, and our FAQ also recommends it.

Common mistakes checklist

Before uploading, check:

• The canvas is exactly 580mm wide and matches the sheet length you're ordering
• The resolution is 300 DPI at full size, with no upscaled low-resolution images
• The background is transparent, not white
• There are no white halos, soft edges or stray semi-transparent pixels
• All designs are at least 5mm in from the sheet edges, with room to cut between them
• The artwork is not mirrored
• There are no crop marks or printer's marks
• The file is a PNG or PDF, not JPEG, TIFF, AI, EPS or SVG
• Colours have been checked, ideally in CMYK
• Fonts are outlined or embedded

Our prepress team checks every upload. If a file has problems, such as the wrong format, missing transparency or incorrect dimensions, we'll email you. That typically adds 1–2 working days, so it's worth the five-minute check.

When to use the Gang Sheet Builder instead

Upload Artwork is for complete, pre-ganged sheets only. We can't accept a single logo on its own. If you have individual images and would rather not lay out a sheet yourself, use our Gang Sheet Builder. It runs in your browser and accepts PNG, JPG and SVG. You arrange, resize, rotate and duplicate designs on the sheet, and it can remove white backgrounds from most images. It also warns you if an image is too low-resolution for the size you've chosen.

Both options cost the same and print on the same equipment. The only difference is who does the layout.

After printing

Once your sheet arrives, cut out the transfers and press them. We recommend a hot peel; our guide to pressing DTF transfers covers temperatures, times and pressure for cotton, polyester and blends. If you order regularly, see our trade page for per-metre pricing and the automatic 15% discount from your sixth order.

FAQs

What size should a DTF gang sheet file be?

Exactly 580mm wide, by the length of the sheet you're ordering (1m to 5m), at 300 DPI.

Which file formats do you accept?

For Upload Artwork, transparent PNG or PDF only. The Gang Sheet Builder accepts PNG, JPG and SVG.

Should I mirror my designs?

No. Upload them the right way round, and we handle the mirroring.

Can I upload RGB files?

Yes. RGB files are converted automatically, but we recommend CMYK for the most predictable colour.

What happens if my file isn't right?

Our prepress team checks every file and will email you about any issues. This usually adds 1–2 working days, so please use the checklist above before uploading.

Do you rearrange or colour-correct files?

No. We print exactly what you upload, so the layout and colours are as you supply them.