Gang sheet building for true Kings!

Updated on 15 September 2026

A gang sheet is a print file on which you put together several designs. We print it exactly as you create it: we do not scale it and we do not touch anything up. We show you how to build your sheet correctly and achieve the best results for you and your customers, from the right format and spacing to the arrangement and the checklist before uploading. With these tips, gang sheet building works the way it should for true Kings.

Which format suits your gang sheet?

Choose the sheet size according to your designs and the quantity you need. Standard DTF and Blockout DTF run at a roll width of 600 mm, UV DTF and CUT DTF at 560 mm.

Important: we do not trim A4 and A3 to size. So create your file exactly at the ordered final size. Portrait or landscape does not matter, as long as the dimensions are right. For sublimation printing, there are separate formats, from mug size up to 1000 x 1100 mm.

Starting with the template

On the product pages, you can find a working file in the right size in the ‘Template’ tab, for custom length with the full length of 3 m. Place your designs in it and delete the guide layers before exporting.

How to build your gang sheet

The right settings are essential! Our graphics team works with Adobe Illustrator, and that is exactly what we recommend to you too: vector data. With pixel images and PNGs, white halos can occur at the edges, and of course that should not be your standard of quality. Pixels and vectors compared explains why.

1. Create a document at the final size of your format or open the template. Set the colour mode to CMYK.
2. Place your designs on the sheet at their final size. Images need at least 300 dpi at this size, so do not enlarge small pixel images.
3. Duplicate each design as often as you need it and arrange everything to save space (more on this in the next section).
4. Delete guide layers and hidden layers, convert fonts to outlines and embed all images. What remains is one layer without a background.
5. Save your sheet as a single-page PDF, without editing capabilities and not mirrored. PNG works too, but only supports RGB. Exporting your files correctly shows you the Photoshop exception and the settings for your program.

The colour profile our printers print in is ISO Coated v2 (ECI) in the CMYK colour space. We do not change any colour values. However, an RGB file or a PNG is converted to CMYK for printing. If you do not have the profile, you can download it here. How do I install an ICC profile? shows you which profile belongs to which product and how to set it up.

Spacing and arrangement: this is how you waste nothing

On a gang sheet, you can freely mix different designs and sizes, for example chest logos, names and a back print. Place them side by side to save space, so that as little area as possible remains unused.

• Spacing between the designs: With Standard DTF and Blockout DTF, leave about 5 mm free so that you can separate the designs cleanly later. With UV DTF, it is around 10 mm.
• Up to the edge: You can place designs right up to the edge of the format without a margin. However, nothing may extend beyond the artboard.
• Large designs first: Place the large designs first and then fill the gaps with the small ones. If a design fits better sideways, simply rotate it.
• Shorten the custom length: With the custom length, you pay for exactly the length you set up, without rounding up. So let the file end directly after the last design.
• Pre-cut: For CUT DTF, you only upload PDF. Each design needs its own cut line in the spot colour CutContour, with at least 5 mm to the next line and to the design. Creating a CutContour shows you how.

Tip: Do a quick calculation before you fix the size of the design. With Standard DTF and Blockout DTF, you have a width of 600 mm. Six designs 10 cm wide with 5 mm between each would need 625 mm (6 x 100 mm + 5 x 5 mm), so only five fit side by side. At 9.5 cm wide, it is six: 6 x 95 mm + 5 x 5 mm = 595 mm. If the size is not fixed, this way you fit one more design into every row.

How many of your prints do you need?

We cannot read minds! Whatever you need several times on one sheet, you duplicate in the file. If you need the same sheet several times, enter the quantity for the respective file when uploading, not in the file name. An example: you need 40 identical chest logos, and 20 fit on your sheet. Then you set up 20 and order the sheet twice.

• Every file has only one page, as the upload rejects multi-page PDFs straight away.
• The upload is limited to 500 MB per file.
• File names contain no spaces.
• Do not upload preview files as well, otherwise they will be printed too.

If you only need one design in a larger quantity, use the single design: you upload the design at its actual size and set the quantity, and the arrangement on the sheet is worked out automatically.

Check your files before saving!

How many times has a file error from us lit up in your inbox? Every file error postpones production until the corrected file has reached us, and with express, the cut-off time too. So go through these points before saving:

• Have you deleted all unnecessary layers and not just hidden them? Hidden layers are printed too.
• Do your designs have a transparent background, without gradients fading into transparency and without fading shadows?
• Is your file exactly at the ordered final size, and is everything on the artboard?
• Is your sheet no longer than 3 m? With UV DTF, up to 5 m is possible after consulting our support.
• Are all colours in the CMYK colour space with the right colour profile, without spot colours such as Pantone or HKS? The exception is the CutContour cut line for CUT DTF, which stays a spot colour. Gold, silver and neon cannot be produced.
• Is white set up as CMYK 0/0/0/0, and for sublimation black as CMYK 0/0/0/100? For DTF, you can mix black and grey tones from all colours, more on this in Grey tones in DTF printing.
• Are fonts converted to outlines, all elements embedded, lines at least 0.4 mm thick and gaps at least 0.6 mm wide?
• Is everything you need on the sheet, and is your file not mirrored?

Most common mistakes and how to fix them shows you how to recognise typical file errors and how to fix them.

After saving is before saving!

Open your saved PDF again before you upload it. We use Adobe Acrobat Reader. There, you switch on the transparency grid under Preferences (Ctrl + K, on a Mac Cmd + K) > Page Display. This is how we see your files, and this is how you can see your white designs too.

Frequently asked questions

What is a gang sheet?

A print file in the format of your product on which you put together several designs. We print it as one continuous sheet, and you cut out the designs yourself after receiving them and press them on. You get ready-separated designs with CUT DTF.

How long can a gang sheet be?

Up to 3 m in one piece. With UV DTF, up to 5 m is possible after consulting our support. With custom length, you choose any length between 10 cm and 3 m. Split longer designs across several files, and the metres of all files count together for the tiered price.

Do I need to set up anything extra for Blockout DTF?

No. The transfer comes with the special adhesive, so you do not set up anything extra for it. You build your sheet in exactly the same way as for Standard DTF, and the formats are the same too.

Is it possible without a graphics program?

Yes. In the DTF Designer, you put your sheet together directly in the browser, for Standard DTF, Blockout DTF and UV DTF Standard. For Designer orders, there is no Pro File Check and no express option.

I have received an email about a file error. What now?

The email tells you what is wrong with your file. Correct it and send us the new version by arrangement during our business hours from 9:00 to 16:00 (German time) by email to info@dtf-king.de or via WeTransfer, always quoting your order number. If your order contains several files, please send us all of them again.

We will not leave you on your own!

Want to be on the safe side? You can add the Pro File Check to your order. We then check the format, the colour mode with colour profile and the main transparency of your gang sheet before production. The resolution and transparency within your designs are not included. The Pro File Check is not available for express, Designer and single design orders.

If you run into a problem, do not be afraid to get in touch with us. We do not bite! Our customer service will be happy to help you from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 16:00 (German time) on +49 2163 9518930 or by email at info@dtf-king.de.

View DTF transferView custom lengthGo to the DTF DesignerView the Pro File Check

Also useful: Setting up print files correctly, Ordering process, Heat press settings and FAQ.

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Wishing you every success with your projects,

DTF-King Team