• Why you need a custom map.
• Why you need a cartographer.
• What it will cost
• How long it will take
• Let's Make a Map!

Why you need a Custom Map. [top]

A map is a small, fixed window onto a large and changing world. Like a photograph, it captures a moment in time. A good map has a form, a focus, a style, and a perspective that suit it to it's intended use.

You might find a ready-made map that shows your location or area of interest. Here are some questions to consider in determining whether such a map really meets your needs.

• Does the map feature your location or area?
• Does it include all of the information you need or would like to see?
• Does it exclude extraneous information that detracts from your purpose for the map?
• Is the level of detail (scale) appropriate for your purpose?
• Is it accurate and up to date?
• Is it clear and easy to read?
• Is it beautiful - or at least attractive?
• Is the style consistent with your other graphic materials and your public image?
• Does the map help to improve your image or sell your product?
• Is it suitable for your publication media and workflow?
• Can it be used how you want without violating copyright law?

If you answered 'no' to some of these questions, or you aren't sure, you may need a custom map. Give me a call or send me an email and we'll talk it over. If there is a possibility that an off-the-shelf map could work for you, I'll help you find it. I keep abreast of maps both in print and on the internet and I won't quote a job if there is something suitable already available. If you are unsure exactly what you need in a map, I'll help you figure it out, and give you a quote on a map that does the job.

Why you need a Cartographer.[top]

You might think that with GPS, GIS, satellite imaging, computer graphics, desktop publishing, desktop mapping software and all the other technology - every place on Earth would have already been mapped or that the map you need would be just a few clicks away. Well, yes and no.

The earth has been and is continually being surveyed, photographed, and subjected to all varieties of electromagnetic prodding from satellites in space. There is an enormous amount of data available, much of it provided by our governments free or at low cost - some of it what you actually need to get the job done. Tracking down and making sense of the information you need for your map is a big part of the job.

As you might expect, so much data from so many sources, is distributed in a bewildering array of formats and specifications, and each data source has its particular uses and it's peculiariarities. As a rule, data from a variety of sources in a variety of scales, coordinate systems, formats and qualities has to be combined to make a map.

Geographic information systems software, the internet, and other digital tools are developing to manipulate and distribute this wealth of information. However, no single tool quite does the job, the learning curve is long and steep, and the various tools required don't work together very well. Cartographic workflow and data management are not for the faint of heart.

Once you've got your data, cleaned it up and made sense of it, you still have to present it before you have a map. GIS software includes an array of cartographic tools for displaying and printing maps, but it doesn't offer the flexibility, complete graphic control, and compatibility with industry standards for output that is available in desktop publishing applications. Maps can convey a tremendous amount of information in a small space and they demand excellence in graphic design - both technically and artistically.

A cartographer has the capability of distilling all this down to something meaningful - designing a map with beauty, style and impact - and then bringing it to life on a printing press, digital printer, web page, T-shirt, tapestry, granite engraving - or what have you.

What it will cost. [top]

The easiest way to find out what it will cost is to give me a call and get a quote; however, if you would like to get a general idea of cost while you are here, the following discussion presents some guidelines that I use for estimating project costs.

I provide 'fixed' price quotes for most projects; however, this requires that the project scope is carefully specified in our contract. Please be aware that additions to the scope of work normally increase the cost - this is especially true for late stage additions. It is far more cost effective to specify the project as completely as possible from teh start. If the scope of work cannot be precisely specified, I am happy to work on an hourly basis. The shop rates are $45/hour for design, research and consulting work and $35/hour for production work.

A 'typical' project includes several map panels (e.g., a county, city and vicinity map) plus the layout, copywriting, typesetting, and illustrations or photographs that tie everything together in a finished piece. A map panel could cover anything from a neighborhood to an hemisphere andbe very general or highly detailed.

I track my costs and derive my pricing using what I call a "unit map". A "unit map" covers about 100 square inches (or about an 8.5 X 11 sheet) at an appropriate maximum scale and number of 'data layers'. Appropriate maximum scale essentially means that all the required information can be shown legibly - (i.e., the map is not overly crowded, type is not microscopic). A one map unit map could be printed much larger than 100 square inches, but you couldn't make it any smaller without making it too crowded and hard to read. Appropriate number of 'data layers'means there are not more than an 'average' number of different types of information to distinguish in the same space on the map. The 'average' includes base layers such as roads, streams, etc. plus a few layers specific to the particular map (e.g., public land boundaries). A detailed map of a small town or a general map of a county or region would be about 1 map unit. A detailed county map might be 4 map units. Adding shaded relief or landcover images to a map puts it in the high end of the price range. Crowding the map also increases cost.

Nearly all of the maps I've made can be fit into one of four general categories which I call Publication Maps, Presentation Maps, Panoramic Maps & Proletarian Maps. The following gives descriptions and cost ranges per unit map for each of these categories.

Publication Map Costs

Publication Maps are the best maps I can make - suitable for publication. For highest quality printing, and unlimited design possibilities, you need a Publication Map. Publication maps take full advantage of the capabilities of high resolution printing. They can be designed for 1, 2 or full color printing. Final production is done entirely in a graphics (as opposed to GIS) environment. This gives complete design control and highest quality output.

Cartographic design costs for publication maps start at $750-1,000 for the first unit map in an area, and decrease to $400-$600 for additional unit maps in the same general area.

Click here to see examples of Publication Maps.

Presentation Map Costs

Presentation Maps are high quality, accurate maps suitable for the Web or for output on your inkjet or laser printer. The quality of these maps greatly exceeds what you get with computer generated maps found on the web and surpassess the best maps produced from GIS applications. Presentation Maps are generally simpler than publication maps and are produced as a hybrid between GIS-based, computer generated maps and maps produced entirely in a graphics environment. This keeps costs down, while maintaining the control needed to make the map you want - instead of the map the software developer had in mind.

Cartographic design costs for presentation maps start at $500-750 for the first unit map in an area, and decrease to $300-400 for additional unit maps in the same general area.

Click here to see examples of Presentation Maps.

Panoramic Map Costs

Panoramic Maps are 3D panoramic renderings that give the viewer an immediate understanding of the landscape portrayed. I like to think of them as algorithmic landscape paintings (painting by the numbers?). A Panoramic Map can be a "View Of" or "Bird's Eye View" map - looking down on your area, or it can be a "View from" or "Vista Map" showing the view looking out from your favorite overlook. Design costs for Panoramic Maps start at $2000 for the first view. Additional views in the same area start at $1200.

Click here to see examples of Panoramic Maps.

Proletarian Map Costs

Proletarian Maps are 'working maps' - not necessarily pretty, but they get the job done. Polaris' main focus is on cartographic design, but I do take on some map survey work and GIS data processing and analysis from time to time. There isn't always a need for a 'finished' map in such cases, but the working maps are interesting - and some of them are even attractive. There is no standard pricing on such jobs. Call for a quote.

Click here to see examples of Proletarian Maps.

Printing Costs

I've made plenty of maps for the web or otherwise viewing on a computer monitor, but print is still the best way to publish a map. You can fold up a printed map and carry it in your pocket. You can open it and see the whole thing without scrolling. You can hang it on the wall and study and admire it at your leisure.

I design maps to get the most for your printing dollar. I can provide 'one stop shopping' and broker the printing for you or I can work with your printer. I may be able to get a better price on printing than you can, and I pass the savings back to you. I don't add a percentage for handling your printing because it's easier for me to work with printers I'm familiar with; however, there may be a small charge to cover the extra time involved.

Sheetfed offset printing is the best bet for 1,000 to 10,000 units. Unit costs range from a few cents for a smaller, 1 or 2-color piece to 50 cents or so for larger, 4-color work (up to about 18 X 24 inches). Sheetfed press costs are higher for large pieces (up to about 40 inches) or for maps printed on waterproof/tearproof plastics. If you need 20,000 or more maps, web presses become economical and unit costs go way down.

Digital 'offset' printing is often good for short runs, but is limited to a sheet size of 12 X 18 inches and unit costs are higher than traditional offset printing (e.g., a run of 100 would be nearly $200 single sided, $250 double sided).

Large format digital poster printing runs around $6 per square foot but is often the way to go when you only need a few, large prints. When highest quality prints are required, digital fine art prints on archival papers are available for around $15 to $20 per square foot.

I frequently produce Panoramic Vista maps on solid, weather-proof (guaranteed 20 years) high pressure plastic laminate outdoor display panels. The cost for this is about $65 per square foot (not counting the mounting).

Your map can also be be sculpted and printed in 3D. These are great for visitors centers and the like. Costs are currently around $500 per square foot.

Proofing Costs

When practical (e.g., small maps or extra computer-savvy clients), the low cost (i.e., free) option is electronic proofing. However, many people don't get a good sense for what a map looks like on a computer screen - and have difficulties with marking corrections and revisions on an electronic map. Unless the maps are ultimately to be viewed on a monitor, I recommend that all clients review printed proofs.

In most cases, a high quality inkjet proof is adequate (cost about $6 per square foot). However, inkjet proofs do not have nearly the tonal range or definition that the map will have when printed on an offset press. In many cases, the difference is insignificant. However, for small type, light typefaces, very thin lines, very light tints, and hatch patterns there may be important differences. Very small (e.g., 5 pt), light weight type will reproduce perfectly on an offset press and be practically illegible on the high-end inkjet.

Very accurate press proofs can be obtained at the draft stage if necessary, but they are quite expensive (ca. $25/square foot).

How long it will take.[top]

I normally allow two to three months from the start of a project to delivery of the first complete draft. This applies to simple as well as more complex projects. I expedite review and revision work, so that after you receive the first draft, we can get the final map to press as quickly as possible (usually allow 2 to 4 weeks). Commercial offset printing requires an additional 2 to 3 weeks. A typical project usually takes 3 to 6 months from concept to press.

If circumstances allow, I will gladly expedite work to meet a good client's deadline at no additional cost. However, if my schedule is full, "rush" work can only be had at a 20% additional charge.

Let's Make a Map! [top]

Initial Enquiry

The way to get started on your map is to give me a call at (828) 675-5357 - ask for Eric or "the map guy" - or send me an email.

We'll talk about what you need and envision and I will ask questions to get all the information I need to give you a realistic proposal and cost estimate. In general, I need at least the following key information to get started.

• Location and Extent - What are the NSEW limits of the areas to be mapped?
• Size - What will be the final presented size? (e.g., inches for paper, pixels for the web)
• Content - What information must be shown?
• Purpose - How will the map be used?
• Style - How will the map look?

Proposal and Cost Estimate

After we talk, I'll put together a detailed proposal and cost estimate. The proposal will specify the work to be performed in detail and may suggest options, variations or additions to what we've discussed resulting from further consideration of your project.

Contract, Payment & Copyright

Once we review, revise and approve the proposal, it is embodied in a contract for our signatures. I can begin work once I have a signed contract and any pre-payment we've agreed to.

On most projects, I ask for a pre-payment of fifty percent of the design cost, and invoice the balance when the final draft is approved. If I broker the printing, printing costs are due before the map goes to press. On small jobs, I'll usually invoice just once - when the first draft is submitted.

For the most part, Polaris maps are compiled from copyright free data and original research and surveys. Where used, copyrighted materials are properly credited to or liscensed from the owner. By US copyright law, I own all rights to the maps I create. That said, most clients have an interest in owning rights to the maps they commission. When I create a map to a client's specifications, I generally transfer exclusive reproduction and sales rights to the map to the client as part of the contract to prepare the map. Note that this does NOT include the right to alter the map or reproduce it in a manner for which it was not intended. That said, I'm very flexible, so please ask if you need to be able to edit your maps or wish to use your maps in some new way. I also generally ask for credit printed on the map, permission to distribute limited quantities of the map for promotional purposes and to make an electronic version of the complete map available on my web site. In special cases, (e.g., for a map that I might be interested in publishing myself), we'll negotiate.

Mockups, Previews, Drafts, Review and Revision

For most projects, one or more mockups are presented for review and approval early in the process. These are used to confirm the map extents and general layout. As the project progresses, 'sneak previews' of portions of the map/publication may be submitted for approval of color, style and presentation.

After this, two to three rounds of client review and revision (first, second and final) are usually sufficient before all agree a map is ready to print. The first complete draft that you'll see will conform to the project specifications, but major revisions are typical at this stage. The second draft is used to confirm revisions to the first draft and make any additional minor revisions that may be needed. A second draft is not necessary when there are only minor revisions to the first draft. Revisions to the final draft should be very minor.

In most cases, an electronic and/or a high quality inkjet proof is adequate at the draft stage. However, please note that inkjet proofs do not have nearly the tonal range or definition that the map will have when printed on an offset press. In many cases, the difference is insignificant. However, for small type, light typefaces, very thin lines, very light tints, and hatch patterns there may be important differences. Very small (e.g., 5 pt), light weight type will reproduce perfectly on an offset press and be practically illegible on the inkjet. Of course, if the map was designed for inkjet re-production, then it will print fine on an inkjet (same goes for laser, web, etc.).

Polaris Cartography
114 White Pine Ln
Burnsville, NC 28714
Phone: (828) 675-5357
Email: mail@polarismaps.com