How to print and frame a map
A line-drawn map gains a lot on paper, but a few decisions make the difference between a poster that shines and one that disappoints. Here they are, in the order worth taking them.
Start with the frame
It may sound backwards, but the practical move is to start with the frame. Standard-size frames are far cheaper than custom ones, so it pays to design the map for one that already exists: A4, A3, 30 × 40, 50 × 70 or a 30 × 30 cm square are the easiest to find.
If the frame has a mat (the card with a window that separates the print from the glass), the map should be the size of the window plus a centimetre per side so the card holds it. A 50 × 70 frame with a mat usually has a window of about 40 × 50 cm: measure yours before choosing.
In PlotMyMap you can pick those papers directly, including 30 × 40 and 50 × 70 cm posters, or type a size in millimetres when the frame is not standard. Any paper can also be turned to landscape.
PDF, PNG or SVG
PDF is the format for print shops. It is vector: it keeps lines as lines, not pixels, so it prints sharp at any size and the shop does not have to ask about resolution. At a copy shop or online printer, ask for it to be printed at “actual size” or “100 %”.
PNG is a pixel image, useful for photo labs, for sharing or for using the map in another program. Resolution is measured in dots per inch (dpi): 300 dpi is the standard for something seen up close. An A3 at 300 dpi is 3,508 × 4,961 pixels; a 50 × 70, 5,906 × 8,268. For a large poster seen from a metre away, 150 to 200 dpi also looks fine.
SVG is also vector and is meant for editing the map in Inkscape or Illustrator (removing something, changing a colour, adding text) or for drawing it with a plotter. To print without changes, the PDF is easier.
Margins and bleed
Almost no home printer prints to the edge of the sheet: it leaves a few millimetres blank. That is why PlotMyMap maps carry a margin around them (one centimetre by default) that stays clean, in the paper colour.
If you want the map background to reach the edge, what printers call full bleed, tell the print shop: they will print on a slightly larger sheet and trim it to size. With a matted frame there is no need: the card covers the edge anyway.
A generous margin actually suits line maps. The drawing breathes, and the title and scale bar sit well away from the frame.
Which paper to ask for
For a line-drawn map, matte paper almost always beats gloss: it does not reflect light, fine lines look clean from any angle and it feels like a print, not a photo.
Weight (thickness) matters more than it seems: below 150 g/m² the paper ripples inside the frame. For a poster, 170 to 250 g/m² works well. For something special, cotton or “fine art” papers give an etching-like finish that suits this style beautifully, though they cost a good deal more.
If you choose a colour theme with a dark background, remember the printer will cover the whole sheet in ink. On thin matte paper it can look a little dull or crack when bent; heavier paper takes it better.
Colours: what you see and what you get
A screen emits light and paper reflects it, so colours never come out identical. Light, soft tones tend to print a little duller, and cream backgrounds may look more yellow or more grey depending on the printer.
If the map is a present or a large size, ask for a small proof (an A4 from the same file) before the final print. It is cheap and avoids surprises.
Very fine lines in light colours are the first thing to get lost. If a layer barely shows on the proof, it is worth darkening its colour or switching to a theme with more contrast.
Printing at home
An A4 or A3 prints fine on a home printer. What matters is the print dialog: choose actual size or 100 %, and turn off “fit to page”. Otherwise the printer shrinks the map by a few millimetres and the scale is no longer exact.
Use the highest print quality and the right paper type in the menu (matte, photo, card): the printer adjusts the amount of ink to what you tell it.
Let the sheet dry for a while before touching it or framing it, especially if the theme has a lot of colour.
Framing
Line maps suit simple frames: natural wood or a thin black or white profile. An ornate frame competes with the drawing.
A white mat of 5 to 8 cm makes even a small map look like a gallery print. If the map background is cream, an off-white mat blends in better than pure white.
Anti-reflective glass costs a little more but is worth it on a map, which invites people to come close and read the names. Hang the map with its centre at eye level, about 1.5 m from the floor.
A touch that turns the map into a present: use the subtitle for the place's coordinates, a date or a phrase. In PlotMyMap the title and subtitle are written in single-stroke lettering that matches the drawing.
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