What custom tabs are good for
Tabs make printed documents easier to navigate, especially when the piece is used in a meeting, class, office, or field setting.
- Training manuals
- Employee onboarding binders
- Proposal books
- Real estate packets
- Healthcare and clinic documents
- Construction or project binders
- Sales presentation books
- Conference packets
- Policy and procedure manuals
If people need to flip to a section quickly, tabs are usually worth considering.
Full bleed and full color tabs
Tabs do not have to be plain black text on white stock. Full color tabs can help divide sections clearly and make the piece feel more polished.
- Full bleed color on tabs
- Full color divider pages
- Color-coded sections
- Logo or branding on tab dividers
- Section names printed on the tabs
- Matching tabs across multiple sets
Full bleed tabs need the file built correctly so the color reaches the edge without leaving an unwanted white sliver.
Custom shaped tabs
Custom shaped tabs can help when standard tab banks do not fit the piece or when the document needs a more branded look.
- Rounded tab shapes
- Larger section tabs
- Unique tab positions
- Custom tab sizes
- Special layout for short section names
- Tabs designed around the way the document is used
Custom shapes need more planning than standard tabs, so it is better to talk through the document before final artwork is built.
Tabs and binding choices
Tabs usually work best in binders, coil bound books, wire books, and presentation packets where people need to flip between sections.
Perfect bound books look polished, but they are usually not the best choice when functional tab dividers are needed. If you are not sure which binding fits the job, Brandon can help compare the options.
What to send first
For a tab quote, send:
- Finished page size
- Number of sections
- Tab names in order
- Quantity of finished sets
- Binding style if known
- Whether tabs need full bleed color
- Whether the tab shape is standard or custom
- Print-ready PDF if you have one
If the document is still being built, send the section list first. It is easier to plan tabs before the final PDF is locked.
Need tabs for a manual or binder?
Send Brandon the section list, finished size, quantity, and how the document will be bound. He can help you figure out whether standard tabs, full bleed tabs, full color tabs, or custom shaped tabs make the most sense.
- Tab names in order
- Finished size and quantity
- Binding style and file status
The fastest print jobs start with a clean file and clear specs.
Get with Brandon before the job hits production
For the best service on this type of print project, send Brandon the file and specs before you guess on paper, size, binding, finish, or timing. He can check what is realistic, flag problems early, and help move the job through the right production path.
- Print-ready PDF or the best file you have
- Finished size, quantity, and page count if it is a book or booklet
- Paper, finish, binding, or special options you are considering
- Deadline, event date, pickup, delivery, or shipping details
- Anything that has to match, fold, laminate, bind, number, or trim a certain way
Goal: get a real answer quickly, avoid production surprises, and let Brandon guide the job before it gets expensive or rushed.
Related document resources
For manuals and booklets, see presentation booklet printing, booklet printing in Austin, and invoice books and work order forms.