How to Fold a Horizontal Pull Tab Note

by
pull tab note with books and markers
Project Overview
  • Skill Level: Kid-friendly

There are many ways to fold notes, but this tutorial shows you a note-folding technique that has been popular for years. The pull tab note creates a small envelope that keeps your secret message tucked inside. The recipient can quickly open the note using the tab. This note-folding method is a fun, old-school way to send someone a letter and a quick and simple introduction to origami.

Practice making the pull tab note using a blank piece of paper. Afterward, unfold it to write your letter, then fold it back up. This process ensures you don’t waste paper or time if your folded note doesn’t end up as expected. Once you become more familiar with the folds, you can write your note first, then fold the paper.

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Bone folder (optional)

Materials

  • 1 Piece of 8.5×11″ paper

Instructions


  1. Fold the Paper Horizontally

    Fold the paper in half horizontally. Sharpen the crease with a bone folder or your fingernail, then open and lay the paper flat.

    Folded sheet of paper

  2. Fold the Right Top and Bottom Corners

    Turn your paper horizontally. Fold the top right corner toward the center, then fold the bottom right corner toward the center. Your folding project should have two equal triangles with a vertical line down the center.

    2 folded corners

  3. Fold the Left Top and Bottom Corners

    Fold the top left corner toward the center fold, then fold the bottom left corner towards the center fold. This creates four equal triangles with a vertical line down the center.

    Tip

    When you fold the corners, align the edges of your folds so the two triangles on each side line up evenly. There shouldn’t be a gap between the edges of your folds.

    left corners folded

  4. Fold the Top and Bottom

    Fold the straight top down toward the center and the straight bottom up toward the center. Everything should line up along the center fold of the paper.

    four folded corners pull tab note

  5. Flip the Paper Over

    Flip your paper over so the folds face down. The flat side of the paper should face up.

    fliped folded paper

  6. Fold the Paper Toward the Center

    Take the left edge of the paper and fold it toward the center, about one-third of the way. The tip of the triangle that appears on the left side should line up with the left edge of the paper.

    center fold

  7. Fold the Right Edge In

    Taking the right edge of the paper, fold it toward the center as well. Now the left and right edges of the paper you just folded should overlap in the center. Tuck the top right and bottom right corners into the left and right pockets.

    folds in corners

  8. Tuck the Corners

    Take the corners of the right fold (which should be on top) and tuck them into the folds on the left side. Tucking the corners will keep your note securely folded until the recipient pulls the tab. Flatten your pull tab note.

    folded pull tab note

  9. Pass It On!

    Your pull tab is in the center of the note. Label it with the word “pull” or draw an arrow. You can unfold the note, write your letter, and then refold the note. Flip the finished note to write a “to” and “from” message or draw doodle images before giving the note to someone special.

    note with pull instructions

Try Other Types of Origami Folds

Now that you’ve made your first origami note, you may have the folding bug and want to create more. Try these other types of origami folds offered on The Spruce Crafts. Any of these cute paper shapes would make a delightful note to pass on to your friends.

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