Index Tabs

Laying out tabs can be easy if you follow a few simple rules:

1.)    Leave a gutter at each end of the sheet. Standard gutters are ½”  and ¼” (used rarely – use when copy is very tight & you need a little more space).

2.)    Tab width equals:

3.)    Center position 1 equals:

Center pos. 1 = (tab width/2) + gutter

 

4.)    Centers step-off:

center position 1 + tab width + tab width + …

Eample:

9” x 11” sheet, bank of 5, tabs on 11” edge with ½” gutters:

 

               

Center Pos. 1 = 2”/2 + .5” = 1 ½”

Centers: Pos. 2 = 3 ½”, Pos. 3 = 5 ½”, Pos. 4 = 7 ½” and Pos. 5 = 9 ½”.

We offer tabs in two heights: 1/2" and 3/8" . Center copy on 1/4" and 3/16" respectively from edge. Compute sheet size as follows: text sheet size + index tab height (extension).

Example: 8 1/2" x 11" sheet size with tabs on 11" edge with 1/2" tabs

Sheet size = 8 1/2" + 1/2" = 9"

Tab sheet size = 9" x 11"

InDesign inx templates are available for standard layouts with ½” gutters for both 8 ½” and 11” sheet lengths. Templates can be opened with InDesign. Templates include die line of how tabs will cut.

Click on the link below for either 11" or 8 1/2" tab edge to download a pdf that has tab outlines for banks of 2 through 11 you can place into your art to make sure the layout is correct.

11" tab edge: 11TabLayoutSheet.pdf

8 1/2" tab edge: 85TabLayoutSheet.pdf

If you have any questions, please call 1-800-533-2463 and we will be happy to assit you in creating your tab art.

Return to Index Tab Templates Page