Plans and maps

Printed fold-out maps or plans are large sheets with a certain number of horizontal and vertical folds, allowing their content to be displayed once fully opened.

These elements are commonly used in Tourism, normally promoted or edited by public institutions, but also by private companies, as an element with a many different commercial and advertising uses.

They are commonly used in fairs, amusement parks, tourist offices, campsites, museums...

Basically, they are used to guide people around the different areas of the plan or map in question and facilitate the access of the person who consults them to certain places or specific facilities.

Sometimes these plans are accompanied by advertising of any service or product.

Format

There is a wide variety of possible sizes, the following are the most common measurements of a plan or map before folding:

  • Din A1:   841x594 mm
  • Din A2:   594x420 mm
  • Din A3:   420x297 mm
  • Din B1: 1000x700 mm
  • Din B2:   700x500 mm

Final folding DIN A formats: Once folded, it is most common to finish closing in DIN A6 format, that is, 105x148 mm or in 100x210 format, because they are easy formats to store in your pocket

Final folding DIN B formats: The most common closures for this type of formats are 175x125 mm or 175x100 mm

Although there are, of course, other formats than those presented here and many different ways of folding them. 

Printing

Plans and maps are usually printed on both sides and in full colour, that is, in four colours.

Although, obviously, there is no limitation in this regard and we can print plans in one colour, for example, if required.

Medium

Coated paper is the most widely used media when printing plans and maps.
However, offset paper and recycled paper are also present in these types of products. One of the main advantages of this type of paper is that it allows you to make notes by hand on the product.

The weights most commonly used in printing plans and maps range from 80 up to 135 grams.
Higher weights are not practical because the product gains a lot of volume and is uncomfortable to carry.

Tips
  • Choose matt coated papers, whenever possible, instead of glossy coated papers, because they cause fewer problems when folding.
  • Choose offset or recycled paper if it is necessary to make notes on the plan or map, because this type of paper allows you to write on them without any problems.
  • Check the corresponding imposition well, before final printing of the product to avoid assembly faults.
  • Set up a folding test - if possible with a mock-up or physical test - to verify that the map or plan folds as planned and that all pages are in the desired position and order.