Need help/advice in obtaining a map

I have a couple maps I am looking at for the KS event in Los Angeles in May.

I have these two in mind.

http://www.loc.gov/resource/g3883e.cwh00029/

http://www.loc.gov/item/2002627426/

Obviously the scale is what it is and the campaign will be operational level in nature.

I need to have these maps printed in the highest quality possible. Do any of you have experience purchasing digital reproductions from the Library of Congress or elsewhere? Cost is not an object, I just want to get a high quality reproduction made.

Any advice?

Thanks,

Neal

Will Gen. Georgia be chasing the Father General around that Campbell CO. map? Looks like an opportunity to pick up the stray bauble or two.

Some UPS stores have large size printers, (36"?). They may be able to print up a large scale map. I don't know if they do color though. I haven't been in a Kinkos in a while, but they may also be able to do it.

Don't think you need to pay the LoC anything for their downloads. I've downloaded a number of their very big maps for various Civil War Round Table projects using the big JP2 (JPEG 2000) format. You may need to download software that will allow you to view and convert JPEG2000 images to other more standard formats, but the resolution and loss-less quality can't be beat. Photoshop, for example, allows you to work with these special files after downloading a free plug-in. As I recall, there are other software packages, even free shareware, out there that will do this too.

Once you have your file the way you want it, I recommend having it printed at one of the good, relatively inexpensive, photo labs. I've had good success with MPIX (http://www.mpix.com/) which lets you print your map/image in just about any size you'd like and on a variety of surfaces. They're also very quick and reasonably priced.

Good luck!

The LOC files are free, and there is certainly free software which will cope with the JPEG2000 format; I may have used Irfanview in the past.

Alright, I have the JP2000 file and I have converted it.

I suppose at this point I can make a dirt-cheap printing on my own or I can outsource for a high quality print job.

I saw one place that can print the map from a PDF for $195 each. That would be $600 for the three maps. I'd prefer not to go THAT expensive if I don't have to.

Mpix I don't think prints that size.

Any other options or resources out there? Anyone own an industrial-size printer?


Map dimensions are 77cm x 83 cm. (31"x33").

That is pretty large, alright.

I have a large-format photo printer that will print up to 17" wide. For a project this size however, the best I could do would be to use 16" roll paper -- which means you map fully-sized would have to be printed in two 16"x36" sections and spliced together to get your full 31"x33" experience. Probably not what you're looking for.

Other options: If the full 31x33 print isn't absolutely required, you can get one nearly as large (24x36) by ordering it as a wall art-style print. Shutterfly currently offers such a thing at a discount of $104.99.

Let me know if you need your file re-sized, cropped, sharpened, or perhaps prettied up with an antique print border -- all easy to do with my home software.

I sent out a couple bids online and I have one back for $123 on the job. Have a look:

Quote Number: 169389-1
ProjectNameValue: Hotchkiss Map

Product Type: Large Format Poster

QuantityValue: 3

Colors/Inks on Front: 4 - Full Color

Paper Stock: GF–Photo Intellicoat Magic Gloss

Flat Width Text: 31

Flat Length Text: 33

Estimator Comments: Three (3) 31" x 33" printing on GF-Photo Intellicoat Magic Gloss (this is the only large format poster stock option)

Have you seen the map?

Two sections wouldn't kill me. I play a lot of strategy games with the board separated into two parts. just want the job done right.

Of course, I need 3 copies of the map.

What would you need to print this for me, Palmer?

Shipping would be extra, no problem.

The main problem I think you'd have with my result (other than the bifurcated print) would be the surface. My roll paper is Epson Ultra Premium Photo Paper Luster, a high-quality, high gloss photo paper that is, however, not meant for contact with fingers, cardboard and other materials (I handle it with rubber gloves when setting up print jobs to avoid scratching & finger oils). It would quickly scratch, show fingerprints and smudges, etc. I haven't priced out what it would be for me, but I don't think I could match the estimate you have, especially for 3 (actually 6) prints. Ink and paper run pretty high.

I would, however, be more than happy to help with any pre-print processing e.g., cropping, resolution adjustments, color correction, titles, borders or any other graphic enhancements you might need. One thing you'll want to do before sending it off to print is ask about the color profile used/required by the printer's equipment (e.g. CMYK, RGB, Adobe RGB, sRGB, ProPhoto, etc.), and make sure it matches the profile embedded in the file you send him. I can help with that also, if needed.

We never touch the maps. We keep them under plexiglass for play. I also have gloves for handling.

I should send you the file so you can look over it.

Have you considered poster printing, ie printing out in A3 segments?

Load the map into MS Paint.

Play around with the grid preview in Paint to find the optimum number of segments.

Make sure the margin settings are to minimum (to avoid gaps in the map where white margins will otherwise be superimposed on the graphics).

You may also need to minimise any separate margin settings which may exist on the printer.

Print the segments (you will also need one overview map for each participant).

Trim any remaining margins using a cheap paper trimmer.

Make sure the segments will fit together without any gaps.

Then laminate the map segments with a cheap A3 laminator (though the sheets will cost about one dollar each).

Use Prit, Blutak or similar to keep the segments from sliding around on the table.

Hey Presto, one laminated KS map, which is also very easy to store (I use the packaging which the laminating sheets come in to keep the segments of each map together).