Create customized print maps on the fly with the Print Map Generator. Available on both the front-end map and in the Map CMS, the Print Map Generator saves time producing maps for events, visitors, orientation, and day-to-day use.
The generator creates high-quality PDF or PNG files of your interactive map. You can choose exactly which locations and categories appear, customize the layout, and control details like grid lines, coordinates, and marker styles. The generated file includes the map area you've framed and an accompanying legend.
If you are interested in adding Print Map Generator subscription to your map, contact Concept3D today for more information!
How to Generate a Custom Print Map
The generator walks you through five steps in a sidebar panel. The map displays to the right so you can preview your selections in real time.
Opening the Print Map Generator
Click the Print button in the map header, then select Generate Print Map from the dropdown. The generator opens as a sidebar panel alongside your map.
If you're working in the Map CMS, look for the Generate Print Map link in the left navigation (under your map's settings).
Once the Generate Print Map button is clicked, you will see a legend of options on the left and a red box over the map on the right.
Step 1: Page Size and Orientation
Configure the physical layout of your output.
Page Size
Choose the size that matches the paper you'll print on, or the proportions you want for a digital file.
| Option | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Letter (default) | 8.5 x 11 in |
| Legal | 8.5 x 14 in |
| A4 | 210 x 297 mm |
Orientation
- Landscape (default) -- wider than it is tall. Best for maps that span left to right, such as a campus running along a main road.
- Portrait -- taller than it is wide. Best for maps that are oriented vertically, or when you want a taller legend area.
Resolution
Controls the pixel density of the output. The dropdown shows the exact pixel dimensions for each scale level (1x through 6x) based on your current page size and orientation.
- 1x (default) -- Fastest to generate. Good for on-screen viewing or quick reference prints.
- 2x--3x -- Good balance of quality and generation time. Suitable for most printed handouts.
- 4x--6x -- High resolution for large-format printing or when fine detail matters.
Note: Higher resolutions take significantly longer to generate. A warning displays when you select anything above 1x.
Sort Legend Alphabetically
When checked, legend entries are listed in alphabetical order instead of the default category/location order. Useful when you have many locations and readers will search by name.
Unlock Map Tilt and Rotation
Only available on OSM maps with multiple orientations enabled.
By default, the generator locks the map to a flat, north-up view so that grid lines and coordinates render accurately. Checking this box lets you tilt and rotate the map freely for a more dramatic or contextual perspective, but grid lines and coordinates will be disabled since they cannot display accurately on a tilted or rotated view.
Step 2: Select Categories and Locations
Choose what appears on your printed map. You have two tabs:
Locations Tab
A category tree with checkboxes. You can:
- Check a category to include all its locations
- Expand a category and check individual locations to include only specific ones
- Uncheck to exclude
Categories that are currently active on the map when you open the generator will be pre-selected.
Tours Tab
Select a single tour to display its route and stops on the print map. Choosing a tour switches away from the category/location selections -- they are mutually exclusive.
Step 3: Pan and Zoom the Map
There are no form fields in this step. Use the map directly:
- Pan by clicking and dragging to frame the area you want printed.
- Zoom in or out to set the level of detail.
A frame overlay on the map shows the exact area that will be captured. Everything inside the frame appears in your final file. Getting the framing right here is the foundation of a good print map.
Step 4: Print Options
Fine-tune the content and appearance of your output.
Print Title
A text field for the title that appears on the generated map. If left blank, it defaults to "Print Map." Use this to label maps for specific purposes, such as "Welcome Week Campus Map" or "ADA Locations."
File Type
- PDF (default) -- Multi-page support. If your legend is long, it flows onto additional pages. Best for printing.
- PNG -- Single image file. Useful for embedding in presentations, websites, or emails. The legend is limited to what fits on one page.
Grid Lines
- Yes (default) -- Adds a reference grid over the map with lettered columns and numbered rows, making it easy to say "Building X is at B-3."
- No -- A cleaner look without the grid.
Grid lines are automatically disabled if you have unlocked map tilt and rotation in Step 1.
Marker Icon Type
- Numbered Markers (default) -- Each location gets a numbered marker icon. The legend lists locations by number. Best when you have many locations and want clear cross-referencing.
- Location Markers -- Uses each location's actual map icon. More visual, but can be harder to match to the legend in dense areas.
Label Type
Only available on maps with dynamic labels enabled. Controls text labels displayed directly on the map next to each marker:
- Title (default) -- Shows the full location name on the map.
- Abbreviation -- Shows the abbreviated name (if configured). More compact.
- None -- No text labels on the map. Keeps the map cleaner; rely on the legend instead.
Toggle Options
| Option | What It Does | When to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Map Imagery Only | Outputs the map image with no legend, grid, or coordinates. Forces PNG output. | When you need a clean map image for a poster, overlay, or design project. |
| Turn Off Base Map | Hides the underlying satellite/street map tiles, showing only your markers and overlays. | When you want a clean diagram-style output, or when your custom overlays (floor plans, illustrated maps) are the primary content. |
| Turn Off Renderings | Hides custom map overlays and renderings (floor plans, illustrations, etc.). | When you want to show only the base map and markers without custom artwork. Will always use Mapbox satellite imagery. |
| Turn Off Coordinates | Removes the latitude/longitude coordinate display from the output. Automatically disabled if tilt/rotation is unlocked. | For a cleaner look, or when exact coordinates are not useful to the audience. |
| Turn Off Compass | Removes the compass/north indicator from the output. | When the compass is not needed or clutters a small map. |
Step 5: Generate
Click Generate Print Map to start building your file.
- Generation time depends on the number of markers, resolution, and file type. Higher resolution and more markers mean longer generation.
- A progress indicator shows the current percentage while your map is being built.
- When complete, your file downloads automatically.
Marker Limits
If you select a large number of locations, a warning dialog may appear:
- PDF: A warning appears if you have more than 99 markers. For best results, keep it under 99.
- PNG: A warning appears if you have more than 50 markers. Because the legend is limited to one page, excess markers may not fit in the legend.
You can choose to continue anyway or go back and reduce your selections.
Tips for Success
- Get your zoom and pan right in Step 3 before adjusting other settings. The map view is the foundation of a good print map.
- Use numbered markers for guides. When creating maps for orientation or welcome events, numbered markers with an alphabetically sorted legend make it easy for visitors to find locations.
- Use location markers for smaller maps. When you have fewer than roughly 20 locations, the actual icons are more visually informative than numbers.
- Use PDF for print and PNG for digital. Choose PDF when the map will be physically printed (especially with long legends). Choose PNG when embedding in slides, websites, or social media.
- Use 1x resolution while iterating on your selections, then bump up for the final version.
- Turn off the base map for illustrated maps. If your map uses custom illustrated overlays, turning off the base map gives a clean, professional result that highlights your custom artwork.