Index Tab Specifications & Capabilities
The full production spec sheet from our plant — every cut, stock, and finishing option we run. A reference for print shops, binderies, and brokers speccing a tab job.
Tab cuts & tab widths
A tab cut is how many equal positions span the binding edge. On a standard letter set the positions share a 10″ working length, so each tab is 10″ divided by the cut. The tab extends 0.5″ beyond the body sheet.
| Cut | Positions per bank | Tab width | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/3 | 3 | 3.33″ | Wide-label sections |
| 1/4 | 4 | 2.50″ | Bottom / hanging tabs |
| 1/5 | 5 | 2.00″ | Everyday office & binder dividers |
| 1/6 | 6 | 1.67″ | General reference sets |
| 1/8 | 8 | 1.25″ | Legal exhibits, chart dividers |
| 1/10 | 10 | 1.00″ | Medical charts, dense sets |
| 1/12 | 12 | 0.83″ | Monthly / calendar sets |
| 1/15 | 15 | 0.67″ | High-density index sets |
We produce every standard cut from 1/2 to 1/15. When a set needs more tabs than one cut provides, the tabs continue into additional banks — we step-index custom sets from 1 to 15 banks.
Stocks
- 90# index — the standard weight; substantial and economical for most sets.
- 110# index — heavier and stiffer, for binders that see hard daily use.
- .015 poly (plastic) — tear- and moisture-proof, wipe-clean; the choice for charts, cleanrooms, and high-touch files.
Mylar reinforcing
A tough polyester film bonded along the tab edge so paper tabs flex and pull without fraying or tearing out of the rings. Available clear (invisible reinforcement) or colored — with colored Mylar the reinforcement doubles as color-coding, in 19 colors, and each tab in a set can carry its own color.
Printing, punching & finishing
- Printing: one- or two-sided tab printing; black or colored ink; optional one-color body printing on the divider sheet.
- Punching: 3-hole standard for ring binders; 2-hole and custom drilling for chart fasteners and specialty bindings.
- Layouts: portrait side tabs, landscape hanging (bottom) tabs, and top tabs.
- Collation: sets arrive collated in order, ready to drop straight into a binder or chart.
Variable data — numbered & lettered sets
Sequential numbering in any range (exhibits 1–500+), alphabetical A–Z and A–ZZ, Roman numerals, months, and fully custom per-set copy generated from your data file — collated so every set matches.
Related
- Step Indexing & Custom Bank Cutting (1–15 banks)
- Private-Label Tab Manufacturing for the Trade
- Trade Bindery Services
- All trade resources
Common questions
What does index tab "cut" mean?
The cut is how many equal tab positions span the binding edge of the sheet. A 1/5 cut divides the edge into five positions, so five tabs cascade down the page before the pattern repeats in the next bank. Higher cuts (1/8, 1/10) give more, narrower positions per bank.
How wide is each tab at a given cut?
On a standard letter set the tabs share a 10-inch working length, so tab width is 10 divided by the cut: a 1/5 cut is 2 inches per tab, 1/8 is 1.25 inches, and 1/10 is 1 inch. The tab extends 0.5 inch beyond the body sheet.
What is a bank of tabs?
A bank is one full set of tab positions across the binding edge. When a set needs more tabs than one cut provides, the tabs continue in a second bank starting back at the top. We step-index custom sets from 1 to 15 banks.
Estimates same day on most trade work — no charge until you approve a proof.