Meet GrafoMap and Turn Your Favorite Locations into Art Maps
We’re big fans of sentimental gifts around our house. I think all gifts are special when they come from the heart, but there’s something about a truly meaningful and sentimental gift that goes above and beyond. That goes without saying, really, but finding that meaningful gift is often much harder than it sounds.
On that note, my husband and I recently celebrated our anniversary, and I wanted to make sure I got him something extra special this year. After some thought, I decided that I would like to somehow incorporate the place we met into the gift. That’s when I realized a map could be the perfect thing.
At GrafoMap.com you can find maps for the places that tell the stories of your life. Maybe it’s where you met that special someone, maybe it’s where you grew up, maybe it’s the location of your child’s birth; no matter the occasion, a pretty map is a great way to keep it close to your heart.
GrafoMap uses Open Street Maps (an open source database) to allow users to create a custom, artistic map print of any city in the world. Yep, the entire world. You can choose from a range of designs and color options, as well as choose from two different paper finishes and two print sizes.
It was super easy to set up my map. I just typed in a city, and it immediately creates an interactive map. If you’re not totally happy with how the map is centered, you can drag it around just like the online maps we use to travel. This was really useful for me, because I wanted to make sure I framed a certain part of the city in my map print. Next I decided whether or not I wanted text to appear on my print (I did). You can choose a title (usually the city name), a subtitle, and a tagline (usually coordinates). You can change them to anything you want, or decline to use them at all – it’s totally up to you. After that, you’ll pick one of four print styles, and then choose your layout. Then you’re finished! The process is very easy, and very user-friendly.
The entire creation and ordering process only took a few minutes; it really is that easy. We received the map a week after I ordered it, so the printing and shipping time is very reasonable. Oh, and did I mention that shipping is free?
The print and paper quality is great, and I love how it turned out. My husband loves it, too. All in all, I’m so glad I chose this as my anniversary gift. If you’re looking for a special, unique gift, this could be exactly what you need. It’s also a terrific idea for decorating any time. I think it would be a gorgeous “gallery wall” if you did a series of maps special to your life. There really are endless possibilities!
To learn more about GrafoMap and get started creating your own, just visit GrafoMap.com.
-20 Comments-
What a terrific present for your husband and I happen to think it is very romantic. I would love to get a present like this….thanks for the idea.
This is so neat! Turned out really nice and I love how it means something special to you.
I’ve never seen this before. I only use a computer for contests.
That’s a nice idea. It’s not really my choice of artwork.
I love the idea of this! It would look great in a modern space!
I like that they are visually appealing and have personal significance.
Something like this would look awesome in my hubby’s office. How neat!
I had never heard of this before. What an interesting idea! If I were to make one, I think I’d choose where we vacation every year.
I would like to use GrafoMap to make my own art maps. I know I could get my nephew super into this.
This sounds so great..I would love to have one made for my hubby with our fvorite place Hampton Beach, NH
I always love maps and follow them, especially old ones. I like your feature map of Downtown Chicago the most.
I’d like to have one of these maps for my neighborhood where I grew up.
These are great, I’d love to have one of these maps.
Such a cool idea. I would get one done of somewhere special my husband and I have been.
This is a great idea, I know exactly which one I would get for my husband.
This would be most useful for the map lover in you.
I’ve never seen this before I really like it
This would be great to chronicle all the places our family has come from.
I thank you so much for enlightening me on this nice tool for decorating art into a map.
That is pretty neat.