🎯 File Specifications
| Specification |
Requirement |
| Gang Sheet Size |
18" × 23" (width × height) |
| Resolution |
300 DPI minimum (higher is better) |
| File Formats |
PDF, PNG, AI, EPS, JPG |
| Color Mode |
RGB (not CMYK) |
| Background |
TRANSPARENT (required!) |
| Max File Size |
25MB per file |
| Spacing Between Designs |
Minimum 0.25" (0.5" recommended) |
⚠️ Transparent Backgrounds (CRITICAL!)
⚠️ This is the #1 mistake customers make
Everything you upload will be printed exactly as shown. If your design has a white, colored, or patterned background that hasn't been removed, we will print that background.
Why Transparency Matters
DTF transfers print the entire image area. Unlike stickers that can be die-cut around your design, DTF transfers are rectangular. If you don't remove the background, you'll get:
- ❌ White boxes around your designs
- ❌ Colored rectangles instead of isolated graphics
- ❌ Printed areas that crack when stretched
- ❌ Unprofessional-looking transfers
How to Check Transparency
Open in Photoshop/GIMP
Look at the Layers panel. If you see a checkered pattern behind your design, you have transparency. If you see solid white/color, you need to remove the background.
Use Our Preview Tool
When you upload on our DTF portal, toggle between white, black, and checkered backgrounds. If you see a box/rectangle around your design on the checkered background, that will be printed!
Check File Properties
PNG files support transparency. JPG files do not. If your file is JPG, it needs to be converted to PNG with background removal.
💡 Need Help Removing Backgrounds?
Free Tools:
- Remove.bg - AI-powered background removal (free for low-res)
- Photopea.com - Free online Photoshop alternative
- Canva Pro - Background remover tool (free trial)
- Photoshop - Magic Wand, Quick Selection, or Pen Tool
📐 Resolution & Size
Why 300 DPI?
DPI (dots per inch) determines how sharp your print looks. Low resolution = blurry, pixelated prints. High resolution = crisp, professional quality.
✓ DO
- Use 300 DPI or higher
- Start with vector files (AI, EPS, SVG)
- Use high-res photos/scans
- Scale designs UP in your layout software
- Export at actual print size
✗ DON'T
- Use images from Google/web (usually 72 DPI)
- Stretch small images to fill space
- Screenshot graphics from your phone
- Use Instagram/social media exports
- Upscale low-res files artificially
How to Check Resolution
In Photoshop
Image → Image Size → Check "Resolution" field. Should be 300 pixels/inch or higher.
In Illustrator
When placing raster images (PNG/JPG), check the Links panel. Effective PPI should be 300+.
Quick Math Check
Pixel width ÷ print width (inches) = DPI. Example: 3000px wide ÷ 10" print = 300 DPI ✓
⚠️ Low Resolution Warning
We will print files even if they're low resolution, because some designs (pixel art, retro graphics) are intentionally lo-fi. But if your design looks blurry on screen, it will print blurry.
🗂️ Gang Sheet Layout Best Practices
A gang sheet is a layout where you fit as many individual designs as possible onto one 18"×23" sheet. Good ganging saves you money per design.
Spacing Guidelines
✓ Minimum Spacing: 0.25" (¼ inch)
Leave at least ¼" between designs. This prevents:
- Designs bleeding into each other during printing
- Difficulty cutting apart individual transfers
- Transfer film adhesion issues at edges
💡 Recommended Spacing: 0.5" (½ inch)
If you have room, use ½" spacing. This gives you:
- Easier cutting/weeding
- Cleaner edges on final transfers
- More forgiving alignment when pressing
Layout Efficiency Tips
- Rotate designs to fit odd shapes together (like Tetris)
- Nest smaller designs around larger ones
- Use all available space - blank space is wasted money
- Group similar-sized designs together for easier cutting
- Leave a small margin (0.25") from sheet edges
Artboard Setup
Adobe Illustrator
File → New → Width: 18 in, Height: 23 in, Units: Inches, Raster Effects: 300 PPI, Color Mode: RGB
Photoshop
File → New → Width: 18 inches, Height: 23 inches, Resolution: 300 Pixels/Inch, Color Mode: RGB, Background: Transparent
Affinity Designer
File → New → Type: Print, Width: 18 in, Height: 23 in, DPI: 300, Color: RGB/8
🎨 Color Modes & Profiles
⚠️ Use RGB, Not CMYK
DTF printers use RGB color mode (like screens), not CMYK (like traditional offset printers). Files in CMYK may have color shifts.
Understanding Color Modes
- RGB (Red, Green, Blue) - Used by screens and DTF printers. Brighter, more vibrant colors.
- CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) - Used by traditional printing presses. More muted colors.
Color Expectations
What you see on screen may not exactly match the print due to:
- Screen calibration differences
- Fabric color (transfers are semi-transparent on light fabrics)
- Ambient lighting when viewing the final product
💡 Pro Tip: White Underbase
DTF transfers print white ink as an underbase beneath your colors. This makes colors vibrant on dark fabrics, but can make them slightly less vivid on white fabrics compared to screen-printed transfers.
Special Color Notes
- Neon/Fluorescent colors: Will print but may appear less vibrant than on screen
- Metallic/Spot colors: Will be simulated with CMYK+White, not true metallic
- Pure white: Prints as opaque white ink (great for dark garments)
- Pure black: Prints as rich, solid black
💻 Software Tutorials
Adobe Illustrator (Recommended)
Create Gang Sheet Template
File → New → 18"×23", 300 PPI, RGB. Save as template.
Place Designs
File → Place → Select your design files. Resize/arrange with spacing guides (0.5" recommended).
Export for Print
File → Save As → PDF. Use "High Quality Print" preset. Check "Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities" if you might need to edit later.
Adobe Photoshop
Remove Background
Select Subject (Select → Subject), then Layer → New → Layer via Copy. Delete original background layer.
Check Transparency
Look for checkered pattern behind your design in the Layers panel.
Export Transparent PNG
File → Export → Export As → Format: PNG, Transparency: Checked, Resolution: 300 PPI.
Free Alternatives
- Inkscape (Free vector editor, like Illustrator)
- GIMP (Free raster editor, like Photoshop)
- Photopea (Browser-based Photoshop clone - photopea.com)
- Canva (Easy drag-and-drop, has gang sheet templates)
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Top 10 Mistakes
- Not removing background (white boxes print!)
- Using low-resolution images (<300 DPI)
- Saving PNG as JPG (loses transparency)
- No spacing between designs (hard to cut)
- Wrong file dimensions (not 18"×23")
- CMYK color mode (should be RGB)
- Text too small (less than 0.25" tall)
- Designs too close to sheet edge
- Forgetting to outline fonts (causes font substitution)
- Not checking preview before uploading
Quality Checklist
- Transparent background? ✓
- 300 DPI or higher? ✓
- 18"×23" sheet size? ✓
- RGB color mode? ✓
- 0.25"+ spacing between designs? ✓
- PDF or PNG format? ✓
- Under 25MB file size? ✓
- Fonts outlined/rasterized? ✓
- Previewed with white/black/checkered backgrounds? ✓
✓ Final Pre-Upload Checklist
Before you hit upload, verify:
- Background is transparent - Check in Photoshop layers or preview tool
- Resolution is 300 DPI minimum - Zoom in, should be crisp
- Sheet size is exactly 18" × 23" - Check document properties
- Color mode is RGB - Check in software settings
- Spacing between designs is 0.25" minimum - Use rulers/guides
- File format is PDF, PNG, AI, or EPS - Not JPG if possible
- File size is under 25MB - Compress if needed
- Fonts are outlined (vector files) - Type → Create Outlines
- All linked images are embedded - Avoid missing links
- Design looks correct when previewed - Use our preview toggles
Ready to Upload Your Gang Sheet?
$18.50 per 18"×23" sheet | Local pickup only (University Place to Redmond)
Upload Your Gang Sheet →
Still Have Questions?
We're here to help! If you're not sure about your file setup:
- 📧 Email us your files for a free review: stickersupplyshop@gmail.com
- 🎨 Not sure how to gang your designs? Send us your individual files and we'll set up a gang sheet for you (small setup fee may apply)
- 💬 Need design help? We can recommend local designers or point you to resources