FAQ

We offer our maps in the following sizes for each finish type:

Framed Satin Paper Map

- 24 x 18 inches (26.5 x 20.5 inches with frame)

- 30 x 20 inches (34 x 24 inches with frame)

- 36 x 24 inches (39 x 27 inches with the black or gold frame / 40 x 28 inches with all other frames)

- 48 x 32 inches (51 x 35 inches with the gold or black frame / 52 x 36 inches with all other frames)

Framed Canvas Map

- 30 x 20 inches (34 x 24 inches with frame)

- 36 x 24 inches (39 x 27 inches with the black or gold frame / 40 x 28 inches with all other frames)

- 48 x 32 inches (51 x 35 inches with the gold or black frame / 52 x 36 inches with all other frames)

Canvas Wrap Map

- 30 x 20 inches

- 36 x 24 inches

- 48 x 32 inches

Canvas 3 Panel Maps

- 60 x 40 inch span (3 panels at 20 x 40 inches each)

- 72 x 48 inch span (3 panels at 24 x 48 inches each)  

Please note that a spacing of 2-3 inches looks good between the panels.

Satin Paper Map

This map type is printed on photo satin paper, mounted onto a high quality pin board and then framed.

Framed Canvas Map

This map type is printed on canvas paper, mounted onto a high quality pin board and then framed.

Canvas Wrap Map

This map type is printed on canvas material, mounted on a high quality pin board, and then wrapped around a wooden frame. You can see the edges of this map type wrap around the outside edge of the frame.

Custom options allow you to personalize your map with your favorite quote, family name, or any text that you would like. See our page for custom title inspiration.

Standard options include our most popular titles as shown in the main product listing images.

Both the Satin Paper and Canvas options are printed using fine art - archival inks and are designed to last for many decades.  

Satin Paper Pros: the color depth has more brilliancy with the smooth satin surface. It is a modern and fresh look. The mix of colors for the ocean depths and plate tectonics in the Voyager, Nautilus, and Darwin maps particularly show the incredibly complex geographical nature of the ocean - which is fun to explore.

The satin paper is less expensive than the canvas. The satin paper is faster to produce, frame and ship out to our customers.

Satin Paper Cons: when compared to the canvas, the satin paper does not have the rich texture.

If you were to take out map pins, it is visible when looking at it close up, yet when just a few feet away, it would be hard to see the small hole.

Canvas Pros: The texture and feel of the canvas is attractive. We use a premium canvas that has a fine-art glicee satin gloss so the canvas has a nice sheen - yet not too glossy. After testing many types of canvas samples, we found the USA made canvas that is perfect for our maps.   We use archival HP inks so the map will last for many decades.

The canvas will have a little edge over longevity. The weave is very tight to show the labels in the map clearly.

Canvas Cons: The cost of the canvas is naturally more than satin paper. If the satin paper and canvas were juxtaposed, the satin paper would have an edge on the depth of colors.  

If you were to take out a map pins, it is visible when looking at it close up, yet when just a few feet away, it would be hard to see the small hole.

Canvas wrap maps require more time to produce (1-2 weeks). We handcraft every frame using hardwood material.  

Pin Board Construction:

The Framed Satin Paper Maps, Framed Canvas Maps, and Canvas Wraps are mounted on a pin board and constructed as a push pin map. We use a special lamination technique that applies a two-sided laminate on the board and the map. It is run through heavy rolling equipment twice - once to laminate the pin board and a second time to embed the map into the board. This is something that we do which would be hard to do without the special equipment and lamination materials.

Build-A-Map is a custom application within our website that allows users to preview and edit their design options (titles, fonts, frames) in real time. While there will be no difference in the finished product, the process and prices are different.

Our regular catalog allows customization options as well but the user will not be able to preview these options. This requires us to create and send the customer a proof of their map. We must wait for the customer to approve their proof before we can send the map into production, which can increase the amount of time it takes to receive your map.

On the other hand, Build-A-Map shows the customer exactly what their map will look like with their custom options and thus eliminates the need for us to send the customer a proof. For this reason, maps ordered through Build-A-Map are slightly cheaper and typically ship faster.

Yes, in most cases we can accommodate custom map sizes for unframed maps. We carry frames only for the sizes shown.

Contact us with any size request and we'll get back to you.

Yes but seeing as though the holes are extremely small, it would be difficult to see them from more than a couple of feet away. Even then you would need to know exactly where to look in order to spot them.

Yes you can use push pins with all of our maps, including our two canvas finish options. They all have a sturdy backing and allow for the placement of push pins.

All materials that go into the production of our maps are made entirely in the USA. We produce our maps by hand in a studio located in Pleasanton, CA (just east of San Francisco).

Yes, your order will be 100% tax free as long as it is shipped outside of California.

Did you know that small businesses in the USA are not subject to interstate taxes whereas the big e-commerce websites (Amazon, Etsy, Walmart) are?  

Help support small businesses by purchasing directly from our website and save money at the same time!  

Yes we are a small business. All of our maps are produced by hand in our studio, which is located in Pleasanton, CA (just east of San Francisco). All materials that go into the production of our maps are made entirely in the United States.

Standard Maps (with no personalized options):

Standard maps ship the fastest. Your map will go into production within 48 hours (business days) and will ship within one week. If you would like to receive your map as fast as possible, select standard options for your map.

Personalized Maps created with Build A Map:

Maps that are ordered using Build A Map are produced quickly. Your map will go into production within 48 hours (business days) and will ship within one week.

Personalized Maps that require a proof:

An additional 48 hours (business days) is required for most maps. Complex personalization takes more time.

The time that is takes to approve the map is dependent upon the customer.

After your map is approved, it will go into production within 48 hours (business days) and will be shipped within a week.

We ship anywhere in the United States and to certain APO boxes for military personnel.

Contact us if you are unsure whether you're eligible for shipping.

We're unable to ship internationally directly (with the exception of APO boxes). If you'd like to purchase a map internationally, please consider using a reshipper like MyUS.com (we are not affiliated but have seen good results from them).

Please provide the USA shipping address that reshipper provides when placing the order. Please also let us know that the map will ship internationally and we can package it with extra protection for its journey.

The amount of time it takes for your map to arrive depends on where you live and how fast you approve the proof if you’ve ordered a custom map.

General Shipping Times:

East Coast - 5 days after your map has shipped

Central - 4 days after your map has shipped

West Coast - 3 days after your map has shipped

Shipping is 100% free for all of our products within the continental U.S. However, orders going to Alaska, Hawaii, and APO boxes may require shipping fees.

Yes, we offer both Rush Processing and Expedited Shipping options.

All framed maps are assembled with a beehive hanger and arrive ready to hang.

Benefits of the beehive hanging system:

• Easy to use
• Stronger than wire
• Holds map in place without rocking (especially nice for pinning your map)

All posters are rolled and shipped in a tube. Posters do not include a frame.

Our World, USA, & Kids framed maps include 100 multi-colored push pins. Our Sports stadium maps include 35 red push pins.

Push pins are not included with posters.

You can order additional push pins here.

Yes, you can frame your own map if you order a poster.

Yes, you can! Check out our article on personalization options here.

See our page on title inspiration.

We do not send proofs for maps ordered through our Build A Map application since you can see the personalized options in real time.

If you design your map through a product page, then yes, we will send you a proof. We will not produce the map until you've approved the order.

We do not send proofs for standard maps as they don't require any customization. Standard maps ship the fastest.