Where to Print Your Map Poster
You get a 300 DPI PNG file. Here is how to turn it into a poster on the wall, at home, in a shop or online.
- Matte paper, 200 g/m² or heavier
- Print to size, no cropping
- Framed or unframed
Four ways to print it
Pick whatever is closest and easiestGood for small sizes: A4, 8×10 in or 5×7 in. Use matte photo paper of 200 g/m² or heavier, set the printer to its best quality, and print at actual size so nothing gets cropped.
Bring the file on a USB stick or send it by email. Ask for matte paper of 200 g/m² or heavier and say you want it printed to size without cropping. Most shops can go up to large formats such as A1 or A0.
Handy for standard photo sizes like 5×7, 8×10 and 11×14 in. Pick a matte finish if they offer one, because gloss reflects light on fine lines.
Upload the PNG, choose a size that matches the shape you bought, and pick matte paper. Many online labs can also frame the print and send it ready to hang.
Which size will I get?
For city maps and personalized maps. Landmark posters list their size on each poster page.| FILE SHAPE | PRINTS AT (COMMON SIZES) |
|---|---|
| 2x3 | 4×6 in (10×15 cm) · 12×18 in (30×45 cm) · 24×36 in (60×90 cm) |
| 3x4 | 9×12 in (23×30 cm) · 12×16 in (30×40 cm) · 18×24 in (45×60 cm) |
| 4x5 | 8×10 in (20×25 cm) · 16×20 in (40×50 cm) |
| 5x7 | 5×7 in (13×18 cm) · 10×14 in (25×35 cm) · 20×28 in (50×70 cm) |
| 11x14 | 11×14 in (28×36 cm) |
| A0 (ISO) | A4 (21×30 cm) · A3 (30×42 cm) · A2 (42×59 cm) · A1 (59×84 cm) · A0 (84×119 cm) |
Each file is 300 DPI and keeps its shape, so it prints at any size in its row without cropping. In the US, 8×10 and 16×20 in frames are easy to find. In Europe, look for 30×40 cm, 50×70 cm or A-series frames.
Questions
Paper, resolution and framesWhich paper should I choose?
Matte paper of 200 g/m² or heavier. It shows the fine lines cleanly and does not reflect light like gloss. For big sizes, a premium matte or fine art paper looks even better.
The shop asks about resolution. What do I say?
The file is 300 DPI, which is the usual standard for print. Ask them to print it to size and not to stretch or crop it.
My frame is a different shape. What now?
Pick the file shape that matches the frame (the table above helps). A mat, the white border inside the frame, can also bridge a small difference.
Can I get it framed?
Yes. Many print shops and online labs print and frame in one order. You can also buy a ready-made frame in a standard size and slide the print in.