It’s funny how often we get asked the same questions about our maps, whether by email, at shows or when people visit us in person.
When you’ve designed as many maps as we have, some of the details start to feel obvious. But there is actually a huge amount of information built into every piece.
So here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often.
Are Outcrop maps 3D printed?
No. Our maps are not 3D printed, they are built by hand from individually cut layers of wood. Each contour layer is cut separately and then glued into place one at a time, gradually building up the landscape. All those tiny islands are positioned individually too, a little like making a very detailed 3D jigsaw.
Are the maps made from balsa wood or MDF?
We only make our maps from the finest quality bamboo. We chose bamboo partly for its environmental credentials, but also because we love its natural grain and texture. It is a hard, stable material, which allows us to cut very fine details into the surface while still keeping the wood itself visible.
What do the numbers on the maps mean?
The numbers show real elevation and depth information. At sea, the numbers indicate the depth in metres below sea level at that point. On land, we mark some of the highest points in metres above sea level, and on certain designs we also label the height of individual contour lines.
Not only to they add visual interest, they are part of the geographic information built into the map.
Are the roads and place names printed on?
Everything you see on the surface of our maps is engraved directly into the wood.
Roads, tracks, place names, icons and other details are etched into the bamboo as the layers are cut. Because the information is engraved rather than printed onto the surface, it becomes part of the material itself.
Do you use Ordnance Survey maps or Admiralty Charts?
We work from raw geographic, satellite and survey data rather than simply copying an existing printed map or chart.
That gives us the freedom to decide which information is most useful for each design; whether that is topography, bathymetry, roads, tracks, place names or other details.
For our standard collection, we select the information that best explains the landscape without making the map too crowded. For bespoke maps, we can work with a much wider range of information depending on the place and the story behind the commission.
Hopefully that answers a few of the questions you may have had about our maps.
There is a surprising amount of information packed into every design, and we love that people are curious enough to ask about it. If there is something else you’ve always wondered about how we make them, just ask!
