Who do you recommend for printing maps?

[luangwablondes]

Does anyone have a printer they can recommend for short runs of high quality foldable on road/offroad maps? Would like to get some pricing on tear and water resistent paper.

The size is 1m width when open - mapscale-1:1,000,000 Desired final folded up dimensions (115 x 250 mm)

 

[off-roader]

1M wide prints when unfolded? It may be cheaper to buy the maps than buy the printer, paper, and inks to print them especially when you're talking occassional use (even if you go on numerous trips each year).

FWIW, an Epson Wide Carraige printer is several thousands of dollars in investment. It offers water proof inks but you would need to select and use a waterproof paper that's compatible. I can almost guarantee this won't be a cost effective solution for occassionally printing maps.

On the other hand if you're printing them very regularly and in higher volumes or selling them, then it may be worthwhile.

 

[luangwablondes]

I'm sorry. Should have been more specific. I meant information about a professional printing company.

 

[off-roader]

I'm sorry. Should have been more specific. I meant information about a professional printing company.

Have you checked places like Kinkos? They might have a water proof solution that's relatively inexpensive although it will still likely be cheaper to simply buy USGS maps (assuming you're exploring the USA).

 

[luangwablondes]

Must be of commercial quality. These will be maps of countries in Africa.

 

[proto]

In The States, I've used an outfit called GeoPrinter for one-off maps/charts. They'll do heavy synthetic-paper and laminated-surface prints in large sizes (up to about 10 feet square!) They have a handy little program that lets you design from various sources and upload the file to their site -- they then mail you the resulting print from North Carolina. Sorry, their primary business is for classrooms or mounted displays, which is not exactly what you're looking for. But the prints can easily be folded and are pretty durable. You might have to make do with inch-pattern rather than metric. They do have a price list online, but I don't have the bookmark handy.

For personal use, I just find a local shop with a big ink-jet printer: a blueprint service, or sometimes Kinkos. Standard paper size is 42 inches wide by just about any length. If you use uncoated paper, you can make hand notes. (When I'm done, my charts look like a thousand monkeys doodled on them!) I find annotated charts extremely useful for navigating and records -- and I suppose they make interesting keepsakes -- but ultimately I consider them disposable. You do have to protect uncoated charts from getting wet. I roll them (rather than fold) and store them in a plastic tube bought for the purpose at a marine supplier.

Luangwa? I'm afraid if you're looking for a print shop in Zambia, you're on your own

 

[luangwablondes]

This is not for my personal use. I don't need wall maps, but foldable high quality maps when finished for overlanders, tourists and whoever who wish to navigate with onroad and offroad(tracks) reliable maps generated from gpsr data.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

OffRoute.com They are a local (Reno) business and have a great reputation. They will be able to handle all of your requests. I've been in their shop many times and they are adventurers as well as good business people.

 

[luangwablondes]

OffRoute.com does not do commercial printing of maps.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

OffRoute.com does not do commercial printing of maps.

OK. Maybe the first post should be edited to state that requirement as well, because they do meet your listed requirements in post 1, 3 and 5.

It will be interesting to see what you come up with.