What exactly is a shaded relief map?
MAKING THE WORLD LOOK 3D
The science behind shaded relief
Take a look at how our maps are made. Each piece starts with real terrain data and is carefully rendered to highlight elevation, scale, and texture. The result is a detailed topographic print with a subtle 3D illusion that reads as artwork, not a chart.
Every decision is intentional, from how light and shadow are handled to how the terrain is balanced across the page. Each print is produced one at a time to preserve clarity and depth, creating a piece that feels considered, tactile, and meant to live on a wall.
What goes into making a shaded relief map?
Making a shaded relief map from a vintage map is a multi-step process that involves restoration, color correction, and digital shading. The shading being the most important component of a shadedrelief map. This is what makes the landscape appear to jump off the page.
Are the small labels and text legible in print?
While the shading used in our vintage-style maps creates striking visual depth, it can affect the legibility of some text. In areas with heavier shading, labels may be partially obscured.
These pieces are designed first and foremost as wall art. They look exceptional framed or unframed, but they are not intended to function as reference maps or to be read closely like an atlas or digital map.
Why are there shadows on the margins of the map?
This shading technique is designed to create the illusion that the mapped area is raised above the paper. We achieve this by casting shadows both within the terrain and along the outer edges of the map itself. The edge shadows are essential. Without them, the image would appear flat and unnatural.
All shadows and highlights are generated using a digitally rendered light source. In most designs, that light is positioned from the northwest. This creates highlights along the top and left edges of the map, with corresponding shadows along the bottom and right edges.
Are the apparent elevation changes to scale?
For all of our relief maps, the elevation scale is intentionally exaggerated to bring the landscape to life. In reality, most terrain has subtle elevation changes that can look nearly flat when rendered at true scale. By gently enhancing the vertical relief, we are able to create a more dramatic, engaging piece of art while still staying true to the character of the landscape.
Why is there an anachronism on my vintage map?
The date shown on our Vintage Topographic maps is an approximate reference to the original publication period. In some cases, historic maps were reprinted with minor updates, such as the addition of an airport or roadway, that do not perfectly match the original release year. In other cases, a single artwork may be created by combining multiple historic maps that were published at slightly different times.
If you would like more technical detail about the source maps or the mosaic process, feel free to reach out by email!
What sets our maps apart?
What sets our maps apart is the depth of experience and care behind every piece.
Each map is designed and manufactured in the USA by a founder who is a PhD geologist and has spent years mapping real landscapes in the field. That background matters. We work from actual terrain and elevation data, not templates or stock artwork, and every design is built to reflect the true character of the place it represents.
Our custom shading creates a convincing 3D illusion, while our printing process is dialed in for exceptional clarity, color accuracy, and depth. We print in small batches with strict quality control, using carefully selected papers and calibrated color profiles. The result is print quality and color fidelity that consistently stand apart from mass-produced map posters.
These maps are not just decorative. They are the intersection of science, design, and craftsmanship, created to be meaningful pieces of art for the places that matter most.