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INDEX TAB &

CATALOG PLANNER

This planner is intended as a simple guide to help you in designing an indexed catalog.  It is an outline of the general steps you must take in order to complete your project with a thorough, professional-looking piece; true reference material which will be retained and used.

1. What goes where?  Decide what topics you want to cover and divide them into logical catalog sections.

2. Making a "dummy" is smart.  Start  with a ring binder and blank tab index pages.  Insert a plain sheet of paper between the tab pages for each page in the section.

3. Title your tabs.  Title each section as concisely as possible for speedy identification.  Place the title on both sides of tab for easy forward and backward reference.  Try to keep titles to one, two or three words.

4. Size it up.  Title lengths and number of sections are the best determinants for tab length.  For better visibility, try to keep the number of tab rows to a minimum.  Our standard tab extension is ½", which will accommodate up to two lines of type.

5. Tab Colors separate information.  To make finding various sections even easier, consider using tabs in a variety of colors.

6. Paper choice. Fused Mylar gives ample rigidity to each tab so indexes aren't too much heavier than regular catalog pages.  And new Rip-Proof reinforcing of the binding edge means indexes can be thinner  less bulky  than ever before.

7. A few words about copy.  Good catalog copy is short, sweet and to the point.  Start with the bare essentials  you can add extra adjectives later.  Also, cover one topic thoroughly before going on to another.  This will conserve your time and energy and assure a smooth-reading finished product.

8. The layout. After your copy is written make a "rough layout" showing where you want the copy (and pictures, if any) to go on each page.  Turn copy and "roughs" over to a layout artist who will make a final layout for you.  Remember to design the cover large enough to accommodate the tabbed pages.

9. What's your type?  Many different typefaces are available.  If you're not familiar with typefaces and sizes, ask one of our "Project Managers" to recommend a type for you.  We'll then put your job into our composition department so that it may be typeset and laid out for a proof copy.

10. Cut and paste.  If you have any photographs or artwork that you would like to appear on the face or back of the tab pages, our composition department can take care of this as well.

11. Attention please.  Once your proof copy is made available, proofread all type for typographical errors, paying special attention to technical data, tabular information and pricing (the place it's easiest to overlook a mistake).

12. Start the presses.  Once your proof is approved, we will get detailed specifications as to how many you want, what color paper and ink, drilling, collating, etc.  Your order will always be produced in a timely and high quality manner.  And remember, "Rip-Proof" Mylar tabs are 50 times stronger than conventional plastic tabs and cost no more to use.

NEED A PRICE?

Call toll free: 1- 800- 479-7514

 8AM to 5PM CST Monday through Friday

OR FAX:  504-733- 4532 (24 hours)

In the New Orleans Area Call

(504) 733-0903

E-Mail:  prepress@tomsprinting.com

We Accept:

Tom's Index Tabs

1533 Edwards Ave.

Harahan, Louisiana  70123

Serving the entire continental USA

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