Print & frame guide
In short
Your file is a 2:3 ratio 300 DPI PDF, so print it at 20×30, 30×45, 40×60, 50×75 or 60×90 cm (8×12, 12×18, 16×24, 20×30 or 24×36 in) and nothing is cropped. 30 × 45 cm on premium matte paper in a thin black or oak frame is the combination most people choose. A4–A1 work too, but A-series paper is a 1:√2 ratio, so you will get thin white borders down the left and right.
Sizes
Exact 2:3 sizes
These crop nothing. Pick by where it is going on the wall.
| Centimetres | Inches | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 20 × 30 cm | 8 × 12 in | Desk or shelf |
| 30 × 45 cm | 12 × 18 in | Most popular |
| 40 × 60 cm | 16 × 24 in | Above a bed or sofa |
| 50 × 75 cm | 20 × 30 in | Gallery scale |
| 60 × 90 cm | 24 × 36 in | Print-shop order |
Printing on A4, A3, A2 or A1
A4–A1 also work. A-series paper uses a 1:√2 ratio, so a 2:3 poster prints with thin white borders on the left and right. Either trim them off, or leave them, inside a frame with a mount they read as a deliberate margin rather than a mistake.
Paper
Which paper to ask for
This matters more than the size. Black line art on the wrong finish loses its crispness.
| Finish | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Premium matte | The default choice | No glare under a lamp or window, and black line art stays crisp. Ask for 200 gsm or heavier. |
| Fine art / giclée | Keepsake quality | Cotton-rag paper with archival inks. The most expensive option and the one that reads as an artwork rather than a poster. |
| Satin / lustre | A middle ground | Slight sheen, more resistant to fingerprints. Good if the print will not sit behind glass. |
| Glossy photo | High contrast | Makes the blacks deeper but reflects the room. Works in a dark corridor, badly opposite a window. |
| Canvas | No frame at all | Stretched canvas skips framing entirely. Fine detail softens slightly, so print larger than you would on paper. |
Where
Where to get it printed
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Staples · US
Walk-in poster printing, same day. Ask for matte, not glossy.
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FedEx Office · US
Same-day large format up to 60 × 90 cm.
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Pixartprinting · EU / UK
Cheap at large sizes, good matte stock.
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CEWE · EU
Reliable consumer lab, frequent offers.
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Saal Digital · EU
Strong fine-art paper options.
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Bay Photo · US
Professional lab; giclée and canvas.
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Printful · Global
Print on demand, ships framed if you want.
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A local framer · Anywhere
Often prints and frames together for less than doing both separately.
Getting it right first time
Four things to do
- Pick a size. Choose one of the exact 2:3 sizes so nothing is cropped. 30 × 45 cm is the most popular and fits standard frames.
- Choose matte paper. Ask for premium matte at 200 gsm or heavier, or a fine-art giclée paper for a keepsake print.
- Upload in sRGB. Keep the PDF in the sRGB colour profile when you upload, so the blacks print neutral rather than warm.
- Order a proof for large sizes. At 50 × 75 cm and above, ask the lab for a small proof before the full run.
Framing
Which frame suits your room
The map is black on warm white, so it sits with almost any wall colour. The frame does the styling.
| Interior | Frame | Paper |
|---|---|---|
| Minimalist | Thin black | Premium matte |
| Scandinavian | Oak | Fine art / giclée |
| Boho and earthy | Walnut or gold | Fine art or canvas |
| Dark and moody | Black with a mount | Premium matte |
For frames, poster specialists like Desenio and Posterstore carry the exact 2:3 sizes, and most high-street frame ranges include 30 × 45 cm. A mount adds visual weight and gives the A-series border problem somewhere to hide.
You own the file
Print it more than once
Because you receive a print-ready file rather than a single poster, one map can become several things. Buyers have printed a large copy for the wall, small copies as bookmarks, and shared it digitally; others have printed it large as a welcome sign for wedding guests to read.
It is licensed for personal use, printing it repeatedly for yourself is fine, reselling it is not.
Questions
Printing and downloading
Where should I print it?
Any print shop or online lab. Staples and FedEx Office handle poster printing in the US; Pixartprinting, Printful, CEWE, Saal Digital and Bay Photo are good online options. For the best result ask for Premium Matte or a fine-art giclée paper, and keep the file in the sRGB colour profile when you upload.
Can I print it at home?
Yes, on A4 or A3 art paper. Because A-series is a 1:√2 ratio and the map is 2:3, you will get thin white borders down the left and right, either trim them or leave them as a natural margin inside the frame.
I cannot download the file on my phone. What do I do?
Etsy digital downloads are easiest on a desktop or laptop browser. On a phone, open the Etsy app, go to Purchases, then Download, and if the PDF will not save, use a computer or ask us to email the files directly.
What frame suits it best?
A thin black frame for a minimalist room, oak for Scandinavian, walnut or gold for boho and earthy interiors, and black with a mount for dark, moody rooms. Because the map is black and white it sits comfortably with almost any wall colour.