How to Create a 'Where We Met' Map: 7 Ideas & Free Printables
One of the most popular products for couples on sites like Etsy or Amazon is the "Where We Met" map.
With a simple yet special design, this map highlights a unique moment in a couple’s life as your first date, anniversary, your wedding, even your first trip together.
⭐ If you’re looking for a "Where We Met" map but prefer to create your own design from scratch, we’ve got you covered!
🎨 Here are 7 ways to create your own Where We Met map and a step-by-step guide to making it 100% free from start to finish.
BEFORE YOU START
🎨 To create your custom map, you’ll need a few materials, ideas, and basic design skills to bring it to life digitally.
First, Choose a special moment💍, a person 👫, and a place. ⛱️
Before you start, think about the moment you want to capture. It could be where you met, your first date, or even your first trip together. It’s all about celebrating what’s important to you!
And if you're flying solo, you can still make your own personalized map with the moments that matter most to you—like your graduation, the location of your first job, your first marathon, or where you received a special award.
The Essential Elements
A "Where We Met" map typically includes:
- The date of the special moment.
- The location where it happened.
- A personalized phrase.
- The name of your partner (or any name you want to include).
- You can also add a commemorative frame and a custom pin.
✒️ Once you’ve decided on these details, jot them down in a notebook or note-taking app, and let’s move on to the next steps.
Editing Your Map
If you're not too familiar with design, don't worry! You can use beginner-friendly platforms like Canva to help bring your ideas to life. We recommend having this guide handy as you go through the creative process.
Step-by-Step: Design Your Personalized Map
- First Steps
Select the moment you want to commemorate. It could be your "Where We Met" moment, your engagement, your wedding, or even the birth of your first child—whatever is meaningful to you.
- Find the Location
Search for the location using an online map tool.
Here are some sites you can use:
- SNAZZYMAPS
- ArcGIS VIEWER
- GOOGLEMAPS
- MAPZ
- Use Local Databases from your city or local government. Ex: nyclpc.maps.arcgis.com
3. 🖍️ Edit Your Map
Next, upload your map into a web-based editor. Here are a few user-friendly, free options:
4. Personalize Your Map
🖼️ Add a frame if you like.🔠 Choose your font style.
💬 Include custom phrases and adjust the elements to suit your taste.
You can follow this structure:
Or, you can keep it minimal by adding just the city’s name and coordinates:
- City name
- Couple's name
- Coordinates
Add a special pin at the location where you met.
You can download free pins from sites like:
- FreePNGes — thousands of logos and PNG files
- Creative Fabrica
You can also use one of the printables we’ve included for you here:
5. Download Your Map
Once your design is ready, download it as a high-quality printable file. You can print it out or use it however you like—whether it’s on a mug, a notebook as a gift, or even a hoodie that you both can wear.
| 📢 In this article you can consider all the map designs where you can print your new map.
OTHER WAYS TO CREATE A CUSTOM MAP
HAND-DRAWN ILLUSTRATED MAPS
Drawing a map by hand on high-quality paper and then digitalize it can be a simple and budget-friendly option to showcase your creativity and save on costs.
Here’s how to create your own Hand-Drawn map step-by-step:
- Choose Your Materials: Decide on the style and paper type. For hand-drawn maps, heavyweight paper works best for paints or watercolors. 🎨
- Design It: Sketch your map. Use satellite images or trace the area with transparent paper for accuracy.
- Draw Your Map: For a more artistic touch, paint directly on a canvas using temperas or watercolours.
- Customize the Pin: Mark the special spot with a pin or sticker. You can even use printable designs we provide here to make it extra personal. 📍
- Add Lettering: Include meaningful details like addresses, dates, or names in a stylish font that complements your map.
- Final Touches: Use Indian ink, acrylic paints, or other media to give it a polished, high-quality finish. Frame it to match your decor! 🖼️
If you prefer a digital version, follow the steps below for a different design!
COMBINE A HAND-DRAWN VERSION WITH DIGITAL EDITING
Once your hand-drawn design is complete, you can leave it as it is—for example, if you've painted it on a canvas—or you can digitize it to continue editing. This is a great option if you want to:
✅ Give it a more professional finish
✅ Generate a high-quality image or raster that can be used in other designs or framed
✅ Save it for future reference
✅ Easily fix any errors that can't be corrected by hand
There are several ways to digitize a hand-drawn map. Here are two simple methods you can do yourself:
- Scan your drawing. Use your phone’s camera, a photo camera, or a scanner from a printer. Once scanned, you’ll have a digital version of your hand-drawn design.
- Use editing apps. After creating the digital version, you can use beginner-friendly apps like Sketchbook, Procreate, or Inkscape. These apps allow you to trace over your map with digital pencils, color it the way you like, and add images and custom phrases.
CREATE A FULLY DIGITAL VERSION WITH PRO TOOLS
If you have an iPad or want to create a more complex, high-quality map design, you can use more advanced tools, both free and paid, such as:
- Autodesk Sketchbook
- Inkscape
- Procreate
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Corel Draw
- Canva Pro
❗ These tools allow you to create a high-quality image in SVG format, which means you can edit, resize, and print your map in various personalized sizes.
This process can be more intricate but gives you complete control over the map’s design, letting you fully customize it, adding your personal touch.
USE THE CUSTOM MAP DESIGN TOOLS FROM MAP-SALES SITES
Some custom map-selling websites include built-in map customization tools that let you add two or three phrases, modify the image, and save your work for future edits or purchases.
These tools are easy to use and allow you to preview the final version of your map.
Here are two options:
❗ However, these options are paid services and often lead to additional costs like digital downloads or shipping fees.
Get in Touch with a Professional Designer for Your Custom Map
Finally, if you’ve tried all the above steps and still find it challenging to design your own custom map or simply change your mind, you can always hire a professional designer or purchase a pre-made map. Here are some great options:
🌟 Check out our article on the best custom "Where We Met" map websites to compare some exclusive designs and find the best option for you:
EmmaAndTheBean
- This shop has a 5-star rating and offers affordable, high-quality work.
- Known for their custom wood frame maps
CustomAcrylicUS
- Offering three different formats—canvas, magnetic frames, and wood frames—this store is recognized for its high-quality prints, fast shipping, and flexible purchase options.
Ideanity
- They offer a digital map format—customized, high-quality, and affordable (digital option only).
Also, you can try...
The map of Us by FABUMAP
If you're still undecided or prefer a more professional finish, Fabumap is a highly regarded option known for excellent customer service. They offer fully customized, high-quality maps, printed and framed in wood.
Unlike "Where We Met" maps, Fabumap’s "Map of Us" includes:
- Multiple locations
- Highly detailed, 100% personalized maps
- Unlimited revisions before the final delivery
- Exceptional customer service
- Free shipping to the U.S.
🎁 Get 10% Off Your Custom Map and Make Your Gift Truly Unique! 🎁
EXTRA TIPS & FREE PRINTABLES
In this section, we’ve included additional materials and highlighted some key points from the article that might come in handy.
RECOMMENDED DIGITAL TOOLS
|
TOOL |
NAME |
|
MAPS |
*Map of New York: nyclpc.maps.arcgis.com |
|
Image Galleries |
|
|
Digital Design |
- CANVA - FOTOR - Kapwing Studio Editor - Tech Lagoon - RemoveBg - Pinetools |
|
Drawing |
|
FREE PRINTABLES
- Custom pin designs
- Decorative frame with map template + pre-set phrase below
- Step-by-step guide on how to create your own custom couple’s map
