Blog/Production Checklists

Print-Ready Gang Sheet Checklist

A complete prepress and export QA checklist for DTF gang sheets. Run through this before every export to catch errors before they reach the press.

Updated April 2026 · 5 min read

Most DTF press errors are preventable. Bad backgrounds, low-resolution artwork, wrong export settings, and incorrect sheet dimensions are all caught at the prepress stage — if you have a consistent checklist.

Critical items (marked with a red dot) will cause visible print errors if missed. Non-critical items affect quality and efficiency but won't necessarily ruin a print.

Artwork Preparation

All backgrounds removed — transparent PNG, no white halos

Critical

Every design is at least 300 DPI at its intended print size

Critical

Color mode is RGB (not CMYK — DTF RIP software handles conversion)

No embedded ICC profiles that could shift colors unexpectedly

File format is PNG with transparency (not JPG)

Critical

Sheet Setup

Sheet size matches your printer's maximum print width

Critical

Margins set to at least 0.25" on all sides

Minimum 0.25" spacing between all designs

Critical

No designs overlap or touch each other

Critical

Sheet coverage is above 80% (auto-nesting target: 85–95%)

Pre-Export Review

All designs are at 300 DPI at their placed size (not just upload size)

Critical

No design extends beyond the sheet boundary

Critical

All effects (halftone, metallic, sticker outlines) applied before export

Sheet orientation matches your printer's feed direction

Final visual review — zoom in on each design for background remnants

Critical

Export Settings

Export resolution set to 300 DPI (not screen resolution 72 DPI)

Critical

Export format is PNG (single full-length file, not tiled)

Critical

File saved with a clear naming convention (date, sheet size, order ID)

File size is reasonable — a 22×120" sheet at 300 DPI should be 200–600 MB

RIP Software Handoff

File drops into RIP software without color profile warnings

RIP preview shows correct dimensions (no scaling applied)

Critical

White underbase layer is generating correctly in RIP preview

Critical

Print queue shows correct sheet size and orientation

Critical

Kiwi Suite automates most of this checklist

Background removal, DPI checking at placed size, spacing enforcement, and standardized 300 DPI PNG export are all handled automatically by Kiwi Suite. The checklist above still applies — but Kiwi catches the critical items before you even get to the export step.

See how Kiwi Suite prepares RIP-ready exports

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