Mark the center of each section and use a compass to mark 30 degree angles along the sides of each.
Roofing using half tab method.
The cut outs separating the shingle tabs line up every other course.
This 1 2 tab has to be cut off where it hangs off the left edge of the gable roof.
For a racking or midroof pyramid layout method snap two vertical lines called bond lines near the center of the roof the appropriate distance apart.
This article discusses best roofing practices for the installation of asphalt roof shingles including installation temperature shingle sealing methods shingle course offsets asphalt shingle nailing location and specifications low slope and steep slope limits for asphalt shingles and roof flashing at building eaves and around skylights.
The simplest way to do this is to use the half tab offset method.
Three tab shingles are most typically installed with a half tab offset that yields the characteristic brickwork appearance.
Use a heavy duty utility knife to separate the shingles into thirds by cutting them at each tab.
For example if you re roofing from left to right align the first shingle of the second course so the right side of the shingle.