How do I make parts easy to push out? (tabs!)

A tab is a small interruption in the cutting line of your design. It ensures that the cut-out part does not completely detach from the material. The component remains attached to the sheet with a small piece, keeping it in place until you manually remove it. 

Not every component needs tabs, but in many situations, they are highly recommended. It is especially useful for light or smaller objects that would otherwise move due to air displacement, suction, or gravity, but can also be used for kits to keep parts together until the product reaches the end customer.  

How and when do you apply tabs?

A tab is a small, strategic interruption in the cutting line of your design. You can see it as a mini-bridge that keeps a cut-out component just attached to the surrounding material.Instead of the cut-out part falling completely loose, it remains firmly in place thanks to the tab until you remove it manually.

A tab can be placed on straight lines as well as in round or curved shapes. The size of a tab is often between 0.2 mm and 1 mm, depending on the type of material, thickness, and the size of the part. After cutting, you can break the part loose and touch up the tab remnants with a knife, file, or sandpaper if desired. Some materials like MDF don't even require post-processing! 

Tips for correctly applying tabs:

- Place tabs in inconspicuous places, preferably on the underside or inner edge of the object.

- Use multiple tabs for larger or heavier parts – at least two, spread over the perimeter.

- Experiment with the size – for wood, 0.4 mm is often sufficient; for acrylic, slightly larger is preferable due to brittleness.

- Test first on a sample piece for larger quantities – especially if the part is delicate or fragile.