From Route to Plaque: A Custom Map Guide
Title Text (Required)
The title appears along the top of the plaque and is usually the most prominent text.
- Best kept to around 20 characters or fewer
- Common choices include route names, place names, or event titles
- Shorter titles tend to engrave more cleanly and maintain a balanced layout
Personalisation Text
This text is engraved beneath the title and is ideal for adding context or meaning.
- Preferably under 90 characters
- Often used for dates, distances, times, names, or short messages
- For example: event dates, finishing times, or a brief dedication
Place Names
Place names help bring the route to life and can be supplied in a few different ways:
- Entered directly into the Place Names text box, when ordering
- Uploaded as an image or document showing where labels should appear
- A simple list is usually enough — we’ll take care of positioning and spacing
- If you have no preference and don't include any places, we will add a few for you
If you’re unsure how many place names to include, fewer well-chosen names often produces the cleanest result.
Route File (Required)
To create the map itself, we need a digital route file.
- Please upload a GPX file with your order
- This file is essential, as it defines the exact route that will be engraved
Other file formats may be usable, but compatibility can vary. If you’re working with a different format, it’s best to contact us before ordering so we can confirm whether it will work.
Background / Water
The background is generated automatically from the route’s location, with water features such as seas, lakes, and rivers taken directly from the map data. No input is required. The amount of water shown will vary depending on the location, and in some cases it may be slightly simplified or not displayed - if there isn't much to see - to ensure a clean, well-balanced engraving. Only water features are used for the background, keeping the focus on the route itself.
The plaque orientation is chosen to best suit the shape and flow of the map. We’ll select either landscape or portrait to ensure the route fills the space naturally and the engraving remains clear and well balanced. No input is required for this step.
Orientation
