How to Fold a Horizontal Pull Tab Note

By
Holly Homer
Holly Homer
Holly Homer is a highly regarded kids' crafts expert and writer with over a decade of hands-on experience specializing in interactive outdoor activities for children and families. She is the founder of the popular website Kidsactivities.com and has written three books loaded with fun projects and experiments.
Learn more about The Spruce Crafts' Editorial Process
Updated on 09/09/20
pull tab note with books and markers

Rita Shehan

Project Overview
  • Skill Level: Kid-friendly

There are many ways to fold notes, but this tutorial will show you a method for folding a note that has been popular for years. The pull tab note creates a small envelope that keeps your secret message safe inside. The recipient can quickly open it with the tab. Not only is this a fun, old-school way to send someone a note or letter, but it's also a quick and simple introduction to origami as well.

Practice making the pull tab note on a blank piece of paper. Afterward, you can unfold it to write your letter, then fold it back up. It ensures that you don't waste paper or time if it doesn't come out as you 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- x 11-inch 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
    Rita Shehan

  2. Fold the Right Top and Bottom Corners

    Turn your paper horizontally. Fold the top right corner toward the center, and 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
    Rita Shehan

  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 centerfold. 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
    Rita Shehan

  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
    Rita Shehan

  5. Flip the Paper Over

    Flip your paper over so that the folds are facing down. The flat side of the paper should be facing up. 

    fliped folded paper
    Rita Shehan

  6. Fold the Paper Toward the Center

    Take the left edge of the paper and fold the paper toward the center of the paper, 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
    Rita Shehan

  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 that you just folded should overlap in the center of the paper. Tuck the top right and bottom right corners into the left and right pockets.

    folds in corners
    Rita Shehan

  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 tab is pulled. Flatten your pull tab note.

    folded pull tab note
    Rita Shehan

  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 and write your note and then refold it. Flip the finished note to write a "to" and "from" message or draw doodle images to decorate your note before giving the note to someone special. 

    note with pull instructions
    Rita Shehan

Try Other Types of Origami Folds

Now that you have made your first origami note, you may have been bitten by the folding bug. 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.

other origami folds
Rita Shehan