Auto-nesting

Auto-nesting for DTF gang sheets.

Add the artwork, set its print size and copies, then let Auto-nest arrange the batch on your roll. Review the layout with sheet length, area and fill visible as you work.

Start your first sheet See the full workflow

NestSheet studio with 17 pieces from ten PNG designs auto-nested on a 600 mm roll, the files rail on the left and film 0.30 m, 17 pieces and 65 % fill in the bottom bar — Ten PNG designs, 17 pieces, auto-packed on a 600 mm roll: 0.30 m of film at 65 % fill.

The engine

What the packer actually does.

The packer compares layouts and groups repeated designs where they fit.

Repeated copies can be grouped into rows before packing. Review the result against your cutting and order-sorting needs.
The engine compares several placement and sorting strategies, then keeps the candidate with the shortest occupied height.
Auto-nest uses 0° and 90° orientations. Check directional artwork and text against the approved order.
Refinement passes tidy the last row, try swaps and compact strips after the main placement.
A new sheet starts with a 2 mm gap and 5 mm margin. Adjust both for your printer and finishing process.

Compare your layouts

Measure the same order both ways.

Keep artwork sizes, copies, roll width, gap and margin fixed. Compare the used sheet length after manual placement and Auto-nest.

Use the published benchmark to understand the measurement method, then repeat the comparison with your own order. Its dataset describes modelled batches and a scripted baseline. Your artwork mix and finishing requirements determine the useful result for your shop.

The same 17 pieces in Manual mode, in the order they were added: film 0.91 m at 22 % fill — Manual mode, pieces in the order they were added: 0.91 m of film.

The same 17 pieces after Auto-nest on the 600 mm roll: film 0.30 m at 65 % fill — Auto-nest: the same 17 pieces in 0.30 m of film.

Your hands on it

Choose Auto-nest or Manual.

Auto-nest starts enabled. Switch to Manual when you want to drag pieces into a chosen arrangement.
Set copy counts for each file and reconcile the packed pieces against your order list.
Review sheet length, area and fill while arranging the batch. Use the area with your own film price to estimate material cost.
Choose roll-width presets from 300 to 1800 mm, fixed A4/A3/A2 sheets, or custom dimensions. Check the layout against your equipment’s printable area.
Auto height follows the placed artwork. A new sheet starts with a 600 mm roll width, which you can change to match your film.

Utilisation

Read fill as a layout measurement.

NestSheet calculates fill from the sum of item rectangle areas divided by sheet width times height. Transparent space inside those rectangles is part of the measured area. Keep this definition consistent when comparing two layouts.

The benchmark publishes its method, batches and results. For a purchasing decision, measure a representative order of your own and enter your material costs in the film savings calculator. Include cutting time and order grouping in the comparison.

Spec sheet

Layout settings at a glance.

Every value below is read from the current product; the sources are noted in this page’s code.

NestSheet layout settings, checked 2 October 2026
Parameter	As shipped
Placement engine	MaxRects + SuperRectangles grouping
Layout selection	Several placement and sort strategies; shortest occupied candidate retained
Rotation	0° / 90°
Gap between pieces	2 mm default, adjustable
Sheet margin	5 mm default, adjustable
Roll presets	300 / 400 / 600 / 900 / 1200 / 1600 / 1800 mm
Fixed sheets	A4 · A3 · A2
Custom width	any width up to 2000 mm (78.7 in); a 22-inch roll is 558.8 mm, a 24-inch roll 609.6 mm
Longest sheet	25.4 m (1,000 in) in one file; on wide rolls the export window names the longest sheet that fits
Sheet height	grows with the batch (auto, default on)
Modes	Auto-nest (default) / Manual drag

FAQ

The questions operators actually search.

What is a gang sheet?

A gang sheet combines several designs in one print file. For garment DTF, an operator arranges the artwork on a sheet that matches the usable film width, with space for cutting and handling. NestSheet helps build that layout from transparent PNG files, then prepares a TIFF with colour and white for MainTOP.

What size gang sheet do I need?

Start with the usable width of the film in your printer and reserve an outer margin for the production process. In NestSheet, choose a width preset or type a custom width in millimetres (a 22-inch roll is 558.8 mm, a 24-inch roll 609.6 mm). Auto height follows the placed batch, up to 25.4 m in one file. Check final dimensions, all copies and the finishing space before exporting the sheet.

How should I compare two gang-sheet layouts?

Keep artwork dimensions, quantities, roll width, gap, margin and rotation rules the same. Record the used sheet length and check that every piece is present. Then compare the layouts for cutting and order sorting. NestSheet’s fill readout measures rectangular item area, so use that same area definition throughout the comparison.

When should I use Manual mode?

Use Manual when the job needs a particular placement order or you want to arrange pieces by hand. Match the layout to your cutting and sorting process, then check the outer edges and spacing. Auto-nest is useful for exploring compact arrangements; both modes work with the sheet’s chosen dimensions and artwork copies.

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