Printing maps from PDFs

[rogatny]

Getting gaming products in pdf from DriveThruRPG and elsewhere is easy on the wallet and the bookshelf.

But one problem is what to do about maps. Specifically fold out poster maps like in the Greyhawk folio or box set. The computer screen doesn’t really do them justice.

Anyone found a good way to print these out? Especially when they chop the map up into 8.5”x11” sections? Just print em out bit by bit and use Scotch tape the best way to go about it?

[austinjimm]

Just print em out bit by bit and use Scotch tape the best way to go about it?

That's basically it. Here area some of my maps. I print them on 8.5x11 cardstock and spray mount them on foamcore backing. Click here to embiggen.

[Kellri]

I'll second what Jimm suggests - print them and then back them on something sturdy. I'd only add that you may want to either cover them in a clear waterproof spray or use clear contact paper. Most color inkjet ink will run with the slightest moisture.

I don't have any pictures, but I've done a lot of this with rpg maps and boardgame boards over the years in Vietnam. In a few cases the final results after backing and protecting are a lot more serviceable than the originals. My favorite is the grand map for OGRE/GEV. The original would never really fold out right.

* Another option is to use a graphics program to put all of the individual pieces together into a single map and then take that to a printshop and get a poster-sized map. If I was more motivated, I'd do this with the various Wilderlands maps and cover my bedroom wall with the thing (it's a big wall).

[JasonZavoda]

Old Boardgame boards are great as backing for pdf printed maps.

[robertsconley]

Anyone found a good way to print these out? Especially when they chop the map up into 8.5”x11” sections? Just print em out bit by bit and use Scotch tape the best way to go about it?

How I do it

1) Get the map exported as a single bitmap image hopefully at 300 dots per inch.
2) Then use a program like Inkscape to import the image. Crop it to fit a 8.5 by 11 paper.
3) Run a test or read your printer documentation to see how much margins you have to allow. Printers generally don't allow for edge to edge printing. The exception are those marketed as photo printer.
4) Adjust the crop to allow for the margin.
5) Add additional pages to your project, positioning different section of the map on the new page. Try to have at least a 1/4" overlap.
6) Once you have your printout then trim off the white space (if any).
7) Use the least shiny packing tape you can find. They are generally clear, tough and most importantly wide.
Carefully line up the sections one by one and tape them together. Start with short segments. Once alignment is good, peel off a long strip.
9) Make sure where all the joins meet the edge of the map have a folded piece of tape wrapped around it. If you done this then it should go through a laminating maching.
10) find a print shop with a blueprint laminator and have them send your map through it.

[tacojohn4547]

The Wilderlands setting has always had big maps. The Necromancer Games d20 Wilderlands pdf included tiled versions of the 17"x 22" hex maps which print out fairly well on 8.5"x 11" stock and remain mostly still readable. (The Necro version uses gray tones on the maps, so the hex numbers and some location names don't stand out well against the gray backgrounds. sigh...)

What I've been doing the last few years to have serviceable copies of the campaign maps that I can use for campaign planning or for use at the game table, and thus preserving my original physical maps:

- print the maps I want from the pdf using the tiled format of the maps, using either cardstock or heavy weight paper;
- trim the pages to the margins of the map, to make the overall dimensions slightly smaller (or leave them full sized if that's the preference)
- laminate them with a rigid laminating pouch, at either 8.5"x 11" size or by combining two together and using the 11" x 17" laminating pouch; I go to FedEx Office for this, but Office Depot offers this, too;
- then trim the excess lamination, down to the edge of the page, to keep the overall size manageable

This approach works well for me as it keeps the maps at a size that's easy to transport and it makes them a lot more rugged and protected against spills, tearing and such.

[Falconer]

I printed out the Yggsburgh city and area players’ maps (which came only in PDF) on a large-format printer at Staples. Those printers print on rolls that are 2' wide, IIRC, so, the other dimension can be 3' or whatever you may need. It can be pretty pricey. Luckily, I was working at Staples at the time.

If the map comes chopped up into 8.5x11 sections, you can manipulate the PDFs to turn them into one big PDF, using various software.

[robertsconley]

The Wilderlands setting has always had big maps. The Necromancer Games d20 Wilderlands pdf included tiled versions of the 17"x 22" hex maps which print out fairly well on 8.5"x 11" stock and remain mostly still readable.

If Bob III get his shit straightened out on the City State Kickstater, I have a version of the Wilderlands map that will print 66" by 102" (5' by 8')

When I started drawing for the project, I decided to draw as one giant map and then crop the individual 22" by 17" sections from the master. This way there will never be any alignment issues like on the original.

[Juju EyeBall]

Shop around for a print shop with a large format digital printer.

[tacojohn4547]

The Wilderlands setting has always had big maps. The Necromancer Games d20 Wilderlands pdf included tiled versions of the 17"x 22" hex maps which print out fairly well on 8.5"x 11" stock and remain mostly still readable.

If Bob III get his shit straightened out on the City State Kickstater, I have a version of the Wilderlands map that will print 66" by 102" (5' by 8')

Righteous!!!

[robertsconley]

In other news looks like I may be able to use the small poster option (18" by 12") to setup a print option for the CSIO Map. I ordered the proof.

[tacojohn4547]

Rob, did you also do the color version of the Wilderlands map that was included in Necromancer Games' Players Guide to the Wilderlands? That map was a nice looking map to use at the table, though it didn't have the hexes.

[Kalex the Omen]

I had a local printer combine the Greyhawk folio maps into one large poster. I gave them the originals which they scanned in one panel at a time (where the folds already were) and combined in software before printing. Same logic applies to PDFs except the scanning part is already done. It was kind of pricey ($65 I think), but once framed it will be an awesome addition to my gaming space.