An interview with a map printer We have some remarkably skilled people here at Dennis…
Perhaps you’ve decided to design a map for a personal project or have been asked to create one for a task at work. Whatever the reason, there’s a lot to consider when making a map. Louisa Keyworth, Publishing Manager at Lovell Johns, a leading UK mapping company, reveals her top tips for designing one.
Work with a cartographer
I’d always recommend working with a cartographer if you’re creating a map for the first time. They’ll help guide you through the process, advise you what’s possible for your requirements and manage expectations. They should have a set of sample styles which will help narrow down the look and feel of your map. A cartographer will also explain the steps for production and identify any points where your input will be required.
Set a budget
Speak to your cartographer to get a clear idea of what you can achieve within your budget, at the beginning of the map making process. If you’ve got a tighter budget, you may need to produce a map that’s a bit simpler. Anything that takes a cartographer more time (for example, creating 3D buildings, producing bespoke illustrations, or having to source lots of data) will be reflected in the cost.
Define your audience
Before designing a map, decide who your audience is and what they want from it. Will your map be aimed at adults or children? Does it need to be fun or more serious for the audience? Ask yourself lots of questions to get a clear idea of who your map is aimed at, which will help you throughout the process.
Be inspired
Take some time to look at case studies and examples of other maps for inspiration. Our website has case studies of various types of maps we’ve made over the years and you can search further afield for ideas too. Promotional maps, walking maps, illustrated maps… there are lots of maps to choose from! Cartographers won’t copy other maps, but they give them an idea of the style you like. It can be helpful to take screenshots or save links to the maps you prefer, to share with your cartographer, too.
Scale it up or down
What would you like included on your map? The scale of the map dictates how much information can be shown on it and in how much detail. A larger map will allow you to show a bigger physical area but with less detail, while a smaller map will let you concentrate on a particular area of interest. Talk to your cartographer to get a better idea of what you’ll be able to see clearly within a certain scale on a map.
Take a different view
When designing your map think about how it will be viewed. Will it be a printed map, like a folded map or a wall map? Or will it be a digital map and viewed on a phone, tablet, laptop or computer? Think about how the design will work on these different mediums and devices, and how various elements of digital maps will work if scaled up or down.
Account for accessibility
Think about accessibility when creating your map and consider symbols, typefaces, line weights and colours, so all pertinent information is uncluttered and legible. For example, to avoid potentially confusing the map information, consider using symbols instead of text on the image. Choose fonts that are easy to read and large and heavy enough to highlight key information. There are various websites available that offer guidance on colours that are suitable for those with colour sensitivity. It’s important to make your map as accessible as possible.
Be data driven
Consider the data you’ll need for your map. At Lovell Johns, we often make a base map for clients, and they supply data to be added on to this. A base map is the background to a map – the roads, railways, towns, etc that make it up. If we do gather data, we use a variety of sources, including Ordnance Survey Open Data, Open Street Map and Natural Earth. Cartographers will research and use the most appropriate data sources.
Take your time
Be realistic about the length of time it takes to create a map. Cartographers and printers aim to create maps as quickly as possible but it’s an iterative process that takes time. Discuss deadlines with your cartographer at the beginning of the process, so everyone is clear.
Enjoy the process
Making a map is an investment, so let the professionals help guide you to achieve your goal. And don’t forget to enjoy the process!
Dennis Maps is one of the leading map printers in the world, producing more than two million maps and charts every year. We offer comprehensive pre-press services, large format print solutions using both large format litho printing and large format digital print technologies, plus specialised map folding and map finishing techniques.