How to make a tabless tab

This is a fun little trick that I came up with one day when I wanted to flag a page in my sketchbook, but I didn't have any of those little Post-It Notes flags. Basically, it's just a way to create a tab on the edge of a piece of paper, using only the paper itself. It's useful for dividing a book or notebook into sections, or for flagging an important page that you want to be able to reference easily. I was inspired by the stapleless stapler, a handy gadget that I picked up a few years ago.

The process consists of making a few cuts in the page, creating a flap and two slits, and then weaving the flap through the slits so it extends over the edge of the book. Here are some detailed instructions.

First, on the edge of the right-facing page of the spread you want to tab, draw the pattern I've provided at the end of this tutorial. (You can draw this at any size, as long as you follow the notes below the template. I've made it quite large for demonstration purposes, but you can make it take up less of the page if you like.)

Next, put a cutting mat (or scrap of cardboard) underneath that page to prevent cutting the subsequent pages, and use a knife to slice along the lines you've just drawn.

You should now have a flap and two slits. Fold the flap and crease it at the edge.

Then, tuck it under the first slit and back up through the second slit.

That's it! Now you have a tab, which you can write on if you want to label it.

Here is a template for the cutting pattern, though it can be freehanded fairly easily.

And, as I mentioned, you can play with the size of the template, and even the aspect ratio (how wide or narrow the overall shape is). The key is to make sure that the distance from the fold line to the end of the flap is greater than the distance from the fold line to edge of the page, so that when the flap is folded over it actually sticks out past the edge of the book to make your tab.

So there you have it – the tabless tab. Perhaps not quite as nifty as the stapleless stapler, an actual gadget that does the job for you... I do acknowledge that it's rare that you have a cutting board and an Exacto, but no simpler means of achieving a tab, e.g. some tape and a scrap of paper! But, it's a fun idea nonetheless. And as soon as I can find a manufacturer that will create custom craft punches, I'll get one made in this pattern, so you can just punch and fold. Let me know if you've got a lead on that!