Tips For Tab Printing

Tabbing Terminology

Bank: Refers to a single row of tabs. The number of tabs in a bank can be limited by the length of the tabs and the sheet size.

Binding edge: The edge of a sheet that will be bound into a book.

Body Copy: Any printing on an index divider or tabbed sheet that is not on the tab itself.

Cut: The number of tabs in a bank, expressed in the form of a fraction.
Examples:
4 tabs to a bank = 1/4 cut.
9 tabs to a bank = 1/9 cut.

Flood Coat: Ink or printed coating which covers an entire index divider or tabbed sheet.

Fuse: A process of heat and pressure that is used to adhere mylar to index divider tabs.

Inset/Margin: The distance from the edge of a sheet to the end tabs of a bank.

Mylar: A tough polyester film which is applied over tabs to provide protection and color. Mylar strips are also adhered to the binding edge of sheets to prevent "tear out" from 3-ring binders.

Mylar Tabs
Are Available In 15 Colors
Plus Clear

Overs: The number of sheets in a press run that exceed the exact quantity needed for a job.

Plain Tabs: A tab that is cut without any mylar being applied to it.

Position: The numerical order in which an individual tab is found within a bank.

Tab Configuration: The arrangement and size of tabs within a bank.
See our chart of tab configurations.

Tab Extension: The distance the tab extends past the edge of a sheet.

Tab Extensions Are:
1/4" - 3/8" - 1/2" - 3/4"

Tab Width: The actual width measurement of a tab. Minimum width = .43"
Maximum width = virtually unlimited

Set: The series of individual tabs that make up a single index system.

2 Bank Tab Set

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Layout Considerations

Sheet Size

An index tab divider should extend past the edge of the sheets you are separating so that the tab can be easily seen and used.

Example: If you are separating 8-1/2" x 11" sheets to size of index tab sheet needed:

with 3/8" tab - 8-7/8" x 11"

with 1/2" tab - 9" x 11"

with 1/4" tab - 8-3/4" x 11''

Determining Tab Size & Position
- Standard Configuration -

Measure overall finished length of sheet.

Subtract inset/margin from each end of sheet.
(Note Standard inset is 1/8".)

Divide remainder by the number of tabs needed in a bank.

IMPORTANT: Minimum tab width that can be cut is .43".
Maximum tab width is virtually unlimited.

A template/overlay for the most commonly used tab sizes is available free from Seattle Bindery.

Position of Type Within a Tab
- for standard tabs -

Center type across the tab width

Subtract 1/32" from the bottom of the tab, then position for best appearance top to bottom.

See our chart of tab configurations. If you need help with a special layout, just call and we will be happy to assist you.

Paper

The index tab divider should be of sufficient strength to withstand heavy use and handling. Papers in a range of 60 lb. index to 110 lb. index or equivalent, are commonly used in books and binders.

If mylar is being added to the tab - heavy textures should be avoided, as air pockets can occur caused by the uneven paper surface. This can detract from the appearance of your tab.

Overs

On jobs of 100 sheets or less per tab - provide 20 sheets over per tab.

On jobs of 100 sheets plus per tab - provide 3% overs per tab plus 20 sheets per tab for each position.

The number of overs required for hand-tabbed jobs can be less. Call for a recommendation.

Please supply the number of sheets in your press run, if available.

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Index Divider Configurations

Standard Tab Configuration

Tabs are all the same size and evenly spaced in a row. This is our most economical configuration.
Shingle Tab Configuration

Tabs overlap and increase in size as they progress from top to bottom. An attractive design alternative.

Mylar tabbing not available in this configuration.
Overlapping Tab Configuration

Tabs are all the same size and evenly overlap in a row. Used to provide a larger tab for easy handling when single letters or numbers are imprinted on the tab.

Note that type must be aligned right for readability.
Cover Tab Configuration

A single tab which extends the entire length of a divider. Often used in conjunction with standard tabs in index systems to separate chapters or subdivisions of information.

Available in clear mylar only.
Custom Configurations

Custom is an operative word at Seattle Bindery. We'll work with you to develop the indexing system you need. Assistance with design, layout and prototypes are all available free of charge.

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Automated Tabbing versus Hand Tabbing

Both hand operated equipment and automated equipment produce high quality tab products. Hand tabbing is often preferred for short runs and jobs that require special handling. Automated equipment is more cost effective for longer runs as the labor factor is significantly reduced. Seattle Bindery's specialty is producing index tabs. Whatever your requirements, we have the equipment and the personnel to produce your job at a very competitive price.

Ink Considerations
When Print is on tab only

*Most standard ink will work equally well for automated tabbing, plain tabbing or hand operated equipment, when only the tab is printed.

Hand mylar/tabbed and plain tabbed sheets

Use your standard inks for tab printing, body copy, or flood coating when jobs are to be plain tabbed or mylar/tabbed using hand operated equipment.

Automated mylar tabbing requires you use
heat resistant ink on sheets with body copy
or flood coating

Special attention must be given to sheets that have body copy or flood coating when using automated equipment for mylar tabbing. Automated equipment applies mylar to the tabbed area, and automatically cuts the tab with special dies. Sheets pass through a series of heated rollers which fuse the mylar onto a tab and position the sheet for cutting. The ink you use must be able to resist heat, or smearing will occur.
*Some Tips:

no wax added to ink or varnish

make sure sheets are dry (try a little cobalt dryer in ink)

rubber based inks smear with heat, test before using.

If there is any question, we provide free test runs.

Note: Some inks and varnishes are prone to scratching or marring. . .the slightest bit of pressure or handling can cause blemishes. To avoid problems of this type use a scuff proof ink or varnish. Again, if there are any questions, let us run a test for free.

The 8 most commonly used tab sizes with 1/2" extension. Tabs also available in 1/4", 3/8" and 3/4" extensions.
Tab widths unlimited - SPECIAL LAYOUTS ON REQUEST.