Method to Layout Tab Banks

REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF TABS OR THE SHEET SIZE

With the following procedure, you can divide any sheet into equal parts regardless of the number of divisions (or tabs) you want to make.

First, draw 2 lines—one at the top and one at the bottom—to separate the area you want divided into tabs. These are the top and bottom lines on our illustration. We made our lines 1/2" from the top and bottom which is the standard shoulder or cutout on each edge of the tab bank.

Then lay a ruler across these two lines, starting with zero being placed on one of the lines and going across to the other line with the ruler laid diagonally to any number on the ruler which will easily divide evenly into the number of divisions you want to make. The angle is not important.

For example, on an 11" sheet a very convenient unit with which to work is 12 inches. The 12-inch unit is convenient because it can split the area into divisions of 12, 8, 6, 4, 3 etc.

The most convenient way to work is to simply place points at each division with a pencil along the edge of the ruler at the proper spot. This could be every 1/2 inch, 1 inch, etc. depending on how many divisions you want.

Then, using a plastic triangle with one edge against the edge of the sheet, draw lines from the dots you made which are parallel to the top and bottom of the sheet. This will give you the divisions you want.

This layout method is accurate if you are careful and works on any sheet size. In our example, we have divided a 10 inch tab area leaving 1/2" at the top and bottom.

The horizontal lines which you drew represent the point between each tab. Tabs are slanted so the top of the cut tab will be inside your lines and the bottom will be outside the lines.

For tabs that are mylar reinforced, the mylar will extend 3/8" on each side of the tabcut. When determining the plastic size, measure the width between your horizontal lines and add 3/4".

View Tab Layout Instructions Illustration