As long as printed reference materials exist, Index tabbing will never go out of style. The need for this solution may ebb and flow, but when it comes to reference materials, what else can help the reader move right to the source of information better than a tab?

Seaboard Bindery has been in the index tab business for nearly 10 years, and there is hardly a tab configuration we can't do. We can tab cut with mylar on the tab extension, and we can also die cut non-standard tabs. Any tab (or non-tab for that matter) can be reinforced along the spine.

Click here to view our standard tab template (opens PDF). Also, please request a copy of our standard tab cutting price list.

Check out the short YouTube video above showing the machine in action.

Is to not pack the job properly. This concerns both incoming and outgoing product. Today we'll talk mainly about outgoing product – from us to you or the final destination.

Packing is an art that is not as simple as it seems. The overall objectives of packing are to keep abrasive surfaces away from the product and to pack as tightly as possible to prevent rubbing and scuffing during transportation.

The first line of defense for protecting your printed product is to shrink wrap or slip sheet the product if needed. Shrink wrapping in quantities is always preferred as it is less costly and more effective than slip sheeting. If shrink wrapping in quantities is requested, we suggest using a multiple of whatever will fit in the box. If we have a carton that will fit 32 books, for example, we like to shrink wrap in fours so all the carton's space will be used. Packing in fives in this case, however, will leave a void that has to be stuffed with paper.

We carry several sizes of cartons, but there will always be jobs that will not perfectly fit into any carton. In these cases, we pull out the next line of defense – stuffing. Unprinted newspaper is our material of choice.

All our stock cartons are strong enough to meet general packing requirements. If double walled cartons are needed, however, we can order them if given advance notice. The same goes if we are binding an oversize calendar.

If you have questions or your project has a special need, just ask!

Lastly, pack the cartons within the pallet or skid. Cartons sticking out over the edge may be damaged because of collision. Also, be sure to stretch wrap the skids enough so that the product will not fall off the skid or fall over.

Many people have expressed interest in seeing photos from my recent vacation in Iceland. There couldn't possibly be another place on earth like it. If you love the outdoors and spectacular natural scenery you will want to visit or at least look at some of my photos. There is something for everyone there, and the people are friendly. And we had 24 hour sunshine!

I am working to set up a page on Flickr with some commentary. In my next newsletter I will post a link to that site.