ITO–ZnO nanocomposite films with controllable chemical composition, structure and morphology were prepared by screen printing method. Various series of samples containing different In/Zn ratios were prepared. The chemical composition, structure and morphology were investigated by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy; revealing that structure and morphology depends strongly on chemical composition. The gas sensing performances were tested in NO 2 -containing air. The experimental results are discussed in relation to the chemical composition and microstructural properties.