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It is a game changer in the custom apparel industry as direct-to-film (DTF) transfers allow you to print on more substrates, we offer vibrant prints that last as long as the garment does. It can, however be installed together with gang sheets to streamline the process and save a lot of money. Gang Sheets- ganging out multiple designs on to a single sheet, reducing print waste and making the operation more efficient. Don't worry, we addressed this in detail for a step-by-step guide on how to apply DTF transfers from gang sheets ever again.
What Are Gang Sheets?
We also discuss what gang sheets are and the role they play in dtf printing as well a the application process in later sections. Gang sheets are those big sheets with many designs we place in an intelligent way, to get the most space covered. This method is best accompanied for the companies with a lot of orders with small intricate designs, where each order can be repeatable. Enter gang sheets, THE boss in DTF printing and how else are you supposed to print all those designs on a single sheet of paper. Save your production materials!
The Benefits of Using Gang Sheets For DTF Transfers
Benefits
There are several other advantages that make gang sheets the preferred choice for many printing professionals when it comes to DTF transfers.
Cost is the primary benefit in employing gang sheets. If designed correctly, it can only save on the cost of film but even local production cost reduced as more designs to be fitted in one sheet. Great for companies that see big orders or create bulk discounts.
Optimized use of material
Gang sheets will allow you to optimize your sheet so that you can lay out the upholstery designs exactly as desired and reduce the overall 'wasted' pixels. It leads to the wastage of material that is not being used otherwise e.g you throw off some piece of like this. Also, it will be costly.
Save on Time
The bigger issue, however, is that it takes a lot of time for purchasing individual transfers to print. You can print 8 different designs in one go with just 1 sheet of gang sheet this significantly reduces the cost and printing time. This comes in rather handy, indeed especially if you find yourself in a busy factory and time is too (you can finish this one).
Quality
In our example, using gang sheets allows us to produce this image exactly the same for all transfers because it is always under the same conditions of that transfer. This ensures consistent quality up to the standard of your brand and polished output for customers.
Gang Sheet & Color Variety
Print the logos on gang sheet as well and it will work for you fine to even print the multi-color images. Awesome for any print shop that specializes in custom apparel products.
Gang Sheet (Design & Setup)
They go back even before we use DTF transfers from gang sheets in this transfer process. This is the process in which the gang sheet itselfis designed and prepared. I placed this step here because depending on how you decide to layout your artwork on the sheet, it may affect not only application easiness but also shave off a bit of time during production.
With regards to design
Remember to consider the size of each design and how much room they need on your gang sheet. Layout: Cut gang designs that can be weeded and applied in the most efficient way possible. E.g. if the gaps between patterns you have placed are too wide, it means that a bunch of usable material might end up in the bin, or if they are very close — sigh also at thinking that your sticker design can't be cut out).
Software Tools
Include it as a part of your gang sheet-designed software. Nearly all professional print apps have a way to group your designs onto one sheet, which reduces overlaps and maximizes the paper area.
If you use a few colours in one design, make sure every colour is included throughout the rest of your designs. DTF printing is a quite complex process and managing the color blueprint meticulously aims that the end print matches what it was supposed to. Matching colors profiles to your DTF printer and inks.
Gang Sheet Printing
Once your designs have been positioned, print the gang sheet with a reliable DTF printer. But make sure to use the relevant film or ink of the printer model for clear output.
Cutting the Partial Designs from the Gang Sheet
Once you have printed your design, the next step is to kiss cut (this means cutting the individual designs out of the gang sheet). The printing of the surface pattern, into a piece of fabric is a very complex process as each and every design has to be done with great perfection in order for it to be stamped onto the surface of the fabric.
Material
Letter sized paper with the string design and a really sharp pair of scissors or precision cutting tool to cut out the designs. Which are compatible for far more specific and higher volume design, a blade machine such as a vinyl cutter.
Cut Technique
This gap is also benefit able in the designing point of view because cutting can not be done on the edges where design has been completed so then offset using_BP_OFFSET works like this which helps to safely make the design and cutting.
Sorting the Designs
Sort designs in proper sequence order(start left side). If you do this, you will end up spending less time getting lost while transferring from books to python code.
Setting up the Garment for Transfer
So you have your cut-in designs prepared to go, but before you put the design down onto the piece. Proper prep is essential to ensure your transfer sets in properly and washes well.
Washing the Garment
The t-shirt that you would like to the print must also be cleaned nicely so it does not contain any type of dirt, oil or any other type of contaminant which could prevent your transfer from getting placed. Wash in warm water as necessary and hang to dry completely if you do.
Stage iron
Iron the clothes to get rid of any wrinkles or creases. A flat is surface are required as release the transfer paper evenly on.
Resting The Garment
Now, place the garment on a heat press platen making sure it is directly and centrally positioned. OR find out more with the help of a straight edged ruler / position/guide
Pot & Place DTF Transfer on the Clothes
Put rather a DTF transfer on it since the garment is prepared. That will be what ends up on your item so pay attention to how you place it in order to achieve your desired effect.
Placing the design
And take this cut out DTF transfer at the place of upper garment as similar to original design. Center and straighten it up.
Sealing the Transfer
As such, sealing is required then the move can be placed there with heat resistant tape if you wish. This prevents it from rolling on the take, to keep its correct position.
Check Placement
Ensure the design is at its right place. Today is the day to shift that placement as it will be much easier then rather than after it finishes up and has been applied.
Preparing the Heat Press
Once you have everything in place, it is now time to set the heat press. Having the proper environment may be crucial in order for the transfer to adhere and remain.
Temperature
Typically, DTF transfers work at a standard temperature range of about 300°F – 325°F (150°C-160°C). {However, always refer to the specific temperature adjustments suggested on your DTF transfer}
Pressure
You Will Want To Tune It To Medium Firm. The right pressure is really important to making sure the transfer adheres evenly across the entire design.
Heat Press Time
DTF Transfers: Typically press for 10 to 15 seconds. Timing might be different so make sure to look at your transfer packaging and follow the recommended times.
Pre-Press
Iron garment for a few seconds before applying the transfer. This is designed to suck away any remaining moisture and make way for a smooth transfer.
Applying the DTF Transfer
Next, warm up your heat press. Much attention ought to be paid for this measure because if not anything else can fail, so this needs to be achieved with ample care.
Lowering the Heat Press
Place the garment that has the transfer print under the heat press, bringing down the top plate of it. Ensure the entire layout is covered by the plate.
Applying the Transfer
Stick to the pressure and time recommendations. Allow your transfer to cure under the heat press for time before you peeling back the press so your transfer properly adheres.
Peel Off carrier sheet
After pressing your design, the heat press should be lifted up while still warm and slowly peel away the carrier sheet. Step 3: Gently peel the image back at a steady, slow pace otherwise it may tear your image.
Withdraw(PROCESS)& Aftercare
After the transfer
you have got to check it like a pro, gotta make sure all is there and you better treat your garment proper
Check the Transfer
Inspect the garment to be sure that there are no places where the transfer failed to fully adhere. If necessary, press these again to accomplish your task.
You even have to teach your customers on what is the right way treat this garment. Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle with no bleach and mild detergent.
Gang Sheet Best Practices
Save time: Now you have the grid organised, here some tips from ours or other big gangs we respect on organising this screen.
Design Efficiently
If you are designing the gang sheets for future cutting and/or separating, take that into consideration in your designs. (Its a long conversation and will spill more words on it in coming blog posts) Good design leads to optimisation, time efficiency which further saves lot of materials.
Just like everything
Get some practice on the scrap when you are new to this gang sheets. Whats the benefit — It will help you tailor your approach, work better and improve outcomes.
A little goes a long way when it comes to quality materials
The most important aspect is beyond a DOUBT top level DTF films and inks so your transfers will last longer. DO NOT cheap out on materials as it will result in shit results so spend a lil more monnaayy!
DTF Gang Sheet Transfer Application
Gang sheets help us keep the DTF transfers cheap and accessible to everyone, adding another high-quality way to make custom designs without compromising on quality! These last two steps are essential to equally process control well and also enable uniform stitching results, ones which any final user should be satisfied with for getting value from their garment/s — in any lot size. The more convenient of the 2 options is to do that with 4 gang sheets however you have to be ensured about what you will get. Then, you just have to use this approach as a part of your workflow and voilà: you work much faster, your costs are lower and customers are happy. I hope this post does you well. Happy Printing!
Direct-to-film (DTF) transfers represents a groundbreaking technology in the custom apparel industry, providing vivid and lasting prints on an extensive range of materials. Although combined with gang sheets, it can make the process more efficient and save a lot of money. Gang Sheets- you can gang up several designs on to a single sheet, minimizing print waste and optimizing the process. In this complete guide, we will teach you exactly how to apply DTF transfers from gang sheets step-by-step, and never miss a beat again.
What Are Gang Sheets?
In the next sections we are going to also see what exactly gang sheets are, and why they play such an important role in dtf printing before getting into the application process. Gang sheets are those big sheets, where we put many designs in a smart way to cover the most space possible. The method is best suited to the companies which are dealing with large numbers of orders like repeatable small intricate designs. This is when gang sheets come into play and become a powerful authority in DTF printing as all designs get printed on one sheet, saving materials and production time!
Advantages of Utilizing Gang Sheets for DTF Transfers
Benefits
Given the various benefits, many printing professionals prefer using gang sheets for DTF transfers.
The most important advantage in the use of gang sheets is cost efficiency. You can reduce your overall production costs simply by filling more designs into the same sheet, and hence saving film with less ink to be used. This is especially helpful for businesses taking large orders or offering volume discounts.
Efficient utilization of material
Gang sheets enable you to use your sheet as efficiently as possible, letting you organize your designs perfectly, making sure that the empty pixels are less I mean waste is minimized. Cost: It will be expensive and this also leads to the wastage of material that is not being used otherwise which could have been thrown off.
Save on Time
While printing individual transfers takes a long time, you can print up to eight different designs together using gang sheets. This feature truly shines when we are in a high-volume production environment where, well, you know what they say about time.
Quality
Gang sheets provide a reliable way to produce this image identical for all transfers since the conditions surrounding that transfer are the same each time. This insures you keep the level of quality your brand has to offer and deliver a polished product to customers.
Gang Sheet & Color Variety
Gang sheets are perfect for simple logos and multi-color images alike. Which is great for print shops that offer a variety of custom apparel products.
Gang Sheeting (Design & Preparation)
They start much earlier, long before we ever apply DTF transfers from gang sheets in the transfer process. This is the process in which the gang sheet is designed and prepared itself. I put this step in because depending on how you choose to lay out your designs on the sheet can affect not only ease of application but it also will help save some time during production.
With regards to design
When you are laying out your gang sheet keep in mind the size and room required for each design. Gang designs to maximize the ease at which they can be cut and applied by layout. For instance, if the space between patterns you placed is too large, it means that a lot of usable material may be thrown away, or if the spaces are very near — depressing also that your sticker design cannot be cut out.
Software Tools
Use design software that works with gang sheets. Most professional print apps include features that enable you to organize all your designs on a single sheet, which is more efficient and saves paper space.
If you use some colours in a single design, try to maintain presence of all the colours across all designs. DTF printing is a relatively complex process and the color must be meticulously managed, in order for the final output to match what was desired. Completely the colors profiles with your DTF printer and inks.
Gang Sheet Printing
After your designs are placed, print the gang sheet with a DTF printer that is of good quality. However, be sure that you are using the right film or ink based on your printer model for better output.
Trimming the Designs on the Gang Sheet
After you have printed your design, the next thing is cut the individual designs out of the gang sheet. This an intricate process which includes preparing each pattern meticulously for them to pass onto a surface of the fabric.
Material
Sharp pair of scissors or precise cutting tool to cut out the designs. A blade machine, for example a vinyl cutter, is suitable for more intricate and high volume design.
Cut Technique
When cutting make sure leave some space around the print so it will be easy to handle when you transfer_WRONLY This offset also enables to make the design so that cutting can take place without designing being harmed or malformed from its edges.
Sorting the Designs
After cutting, sort the designs in sequence (left side first). & This will make it easier to transfer and less likely that mistakes are made.
Preparing the Garment for Transfer
You have your designs cut out and prepped, but before you transfer the design onto to the garment. To make sure your transfer adheres correctly and washes well, proper prep is key.
Washing the Garment
The garment to be imprinted must be washed well and free of dirt, oils or any other contaminant that might prevent the transfer from taking. Wash the fabric as needed, and allow it to dry completely if you do.
Stage iron
Iron the clothing to dispose or any wrinkles or creases. To release the transfer paper evenly a flat is surface are required.
Resting The Garment
Put the garment on the heat press platen, position it in a straight and centralized manner. If you need something extra to assist with this use a ruler or a positioning guide.
Weed and Place the DTF Transfer onto Clothing
Now that the garment is ready, all you have to do is put a DTF transfer on it. The design on the Mylar is what will be transferred to your garment, so be a bit meticulous when you lay it down.
Placing the design
Place this cut-out DTF transfer on the garment as mentioned in original design. Center and straighten it up.
Sealing the Transfer
Sealing is necessary, then transfer can be kept there with heat resistant tape if needed. This stops it from moving as you transfer to keep its exact placement.
Check Placement
Make sure the design is in the correct position. It is far easier to move the placement now than after it has been applied.
Preparing the Heat Press
With the garment and transfer properly arranged, you are ready to set up your heat press. It is extremely important to have the right setting to allow the transfer to stick and last.
Temperature
The standard temperature range for DTF transfers is around 300°F – 325°F (150°C-160°C) most of the time. Although, always refer to the exact temperature adjustments recommended on your DTF transfer.
Pressure
You should set it up to medium with firm pressure. The proper pressure is crucial for making sure a transfer has been applied evenly throughout the whole design.
Heat Press Time
Normally need to press DTF transfers for around 10 to 15 seconds. Refer to your transfer packaging for specific timing.
Pre-Press
Press garment for a couple of seconds before applying transfer. This will vacuuming out any last remnants of moisture and clear the way for a seamless transfer.
Applying the DTF Transfer
After that, prepare your heat press. Great attention must be given to this step because otherwise no one is successful, so it needs to be done with great care.
Lowering the Heat Press
Put the garment with the transfer down below the heat press and bring down the top plate. Check that the whole layout is protected by the plate.
Applying the Transfer
Follow recommended pressure and time instructions. Wait for the time to elapse before peeling back the press, so that your transfer sticks properly.
Peel Off carrier sheet
After you have pressed your design, lift up the heat press while still warm and peel away the carrier sheet. Unpeel the image at a steady, slow rate Otherwise it could damage your image.
Aftercare and Withdrawing Process
After the transfer
you need to check it like a pro, make sure all is there and treat your garment in the right way
Check the Transfer
Examine the garment to ensure there are no areas where the transfer may not have properly adhered. To do this, re-press those places, if needed.
You also need to educate your customers on how to care for the garment as well. Wash garments inside out in cold water with no harsh detergents or bleach.
Gang Sheet Best Practices
Here are a few pro tips to optimise your gang sheets:
Design Efficiently
Consider how your designs will be cut and/or separated when designing the gang sheets. More on this in later blog posts)Good design optimizes, and makes efficient use of time (and other resources), which in turns saves on materials.
Just like everything
Practice on scrap when you are new to gang sheets, before the real thing. What is the use – This will enables you to adapt your method and get better results.
Quality Materials Go a Long Way
Purchasing high-quality DTF films and inks is key to getting the most out of your transfers, ensuring their longevity. Cheap materials lead to shit results, so use a little bit more monnaayy!
DTF Transfer Gang Sheet Application
DTF transfers transferred from gang sheets is a fast and cost-effective way to make top-notch, custom garments. The following two steps ensure good quality process control, and consistent results, with which the final stitching will please a customer by giving him value for money for their garment/s — in both smallest numbers and under large volumes. Four gang sheets should be the easier way to go about it, and done in ways that you will get what you want. All you need to do is incorporate this method into your routine and voilà: increased efficiency, lower costs, satisfied customers. I hope this post found you well. Happy Printing!
