How to Make Custom Map Art: 7 Hand-Drawn & Personalized Gift Ideas

Would you like to give a Custom or Hand-Drawn map, but don’t have enough money available, the options don’t convince you, or you’re running out of time for an anniversary? If that’s your situation, keep reading — in this article, we’ll show you 7 ideas to create your own custom couple map and celebrate with that special person.

Stay tuned for the infographics and printable files we’ve included for you.

🗺️Click here to see our maps❤️

 

Advantages of Making Your Own Personalized Gift Map
You can search for a similar map online, but making your own map has many benefits:

✅ Save money on shipping and design.

✅ Control the whole creation process.

✅ It can be a fun activity to do with your partner.

✅ At the end of the process, you’ll have your own personalized map to hang wherever you want.

❤️ Remember special moments and print your favorite photos.

🔘 It may not be as polished as a professional design, but it will be yours, making it truly special.

 

PERSONALIZE IT A BIT MORE

• Choose the area you want for the map (you can use Google Maps, Google Earth, or other mapping apps). Adjust the map view until it looks the way you want.

• Take a screenshot or save an image of the map.

• Add it to a custom frame in Canva. Use the printable templates included with this article.

• Customize it as you like. Add a pin or marker at the exact spot of your first date.

• Print it, frame it, and hang it.

 

 

    

2.  How to Make a 3 Moments Custom Map

If you nailed the previous map, you're ready to tackle this one! Think of 3 locations that are special to you.

If you’ve mastered the first map, you can now try making one with three moments.

• • Think of three special locations you’d like to frame.

  • Choose three frames you like and place the maps inside them.

  • Customize each moment with a unique and meaningful phrase (e.g., Meeting, First Trip, Wedding, or any longer message).

  • Print and frame them as a set of three to hang side by side.

• 3. Create an Interactive Map-Album
  Make a digital album with all your couple’s photographs. Here’s how:

  • Gather some of your best couple photos. You’ll use them in the next steps.

  • First, review your images together. Make an album of your special moments.

  • Use the Google Photos Travel Route feature to locate where you’ve been and when.

  • Make an album using Google Photos, Google Drive, Pixi, Pixiest, or Canva.

  • Design a collage or layout with images from each trip, and if you want, link the online gallery for an interactive experience.

  • Save your digital album, or print it as a physical book.

  .

4. Try an Analog Album: The Perfect Match Between a Map and an Unforgettable Experience
Here’s another interactive map album idea:

• Choose the city you visited and pick your favorite photo from that trip.

• Create a design in Canva with this photo, making one side the city map and the other side the picture.

• Print these as cards, either double- or single-sided.

• Put them in a photo album, or use them as a matching card game for you and your partner.

• You can also use these cards as gifts or as wedding or anniversary invitations.

 

   

5. Push Pin: Print a Map of Your Country and Add Photos

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Additional Tips

• If you don’t want to mark the map itself, hang a piece of twine or thread across it and clip your photos like a photo line.

• Alternatively, make stickers from your favorite images and attach them directly to the map.

 

6. Map of Us: Create Your Illustrated Map in Canva

Remember that a professional Map of Us is made exclusively by a designer focusing on every tiny detail for the client. So it won’t be easy to replicate, but here’s how you can make your own version in Canva:

• Think of the 8, 10, or 12 most special moments you’ve shared. List those moments and find a photo for each one.

• If needed, use an app like Canva to personalize the images.

• Plan the layout of your map. Will you order moments geographically or chronologically? Arrange the images accordingly.

• Add quotes or titles for each photo. Build a visual timeline of your relationship.

• In the center, add a special photo of both of you.
  (Tip: You can leave spaces blank and print photographs separately for a higher quality finish.)

7. Draw Your Own Map of Us by Hand
VIDEO EXAMPLES:

 

 

 

Creating your own hand-drawn Map of Us is a true challenge, but it’s worth it for the sentiment and beauty. Here’s how:

• Choose the materials you’ll use (pencils, watercolors, ink, charcoal).

• Pick the photos of the places you want to draw and make a draft (you can trace with carbon paper, a tablet, or a light table).

• Practice making sketches on a separate sheet until you’re happy with the layout.

• Finalize your design on a thicker paper and add all the special details.

• Once finished, frame your original piece, or scan it for a digital version that you can print and save.

8. Make a Digital Illustrated Map of Us

If you have some experience with digital drawing, an iPad, and access to design tools, this option is ideal.

Programs you can use:

• Procreate or Adobe Illustrator (iPad)

• Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator (Computer)

• Sketchbook (Tablet)

Step-by-step:

• Begin with a draft using photos of your favorite places.

• Create a collage-style layout, separating images in layers.

• Trace and stylize each photo to match the theme.

• Play with tools, layers, and styles until you have a unique design.

• Finish by printing it on high-quality paper and framing it for display.

Throughout this article, we’ve explored several original and meaningful ideas for making a relationship map gift from scratch. We’ve looked at different ways to create personalized maps — from simple digital versions and interactive albums to highly detailed hand-drawn illustrations.

We hope this information has inspired you! If you’ve tried or thought of another custom map design for couples, we’d love for you to share it in the comments.

While it can be challenging to match the quality and craftsmanship of a professional Map of Us, these 8 ideas can help you create a special gift yourself.

 

LISTA DE HERRAMIENTAS Y SOFTWARE UTILIZADOS

Tool	Name
MAPS	SNAZZYMAPS, Google Maps, ARCGIS Viewer (Mapa de NYC. Base de datos de la página del gobierno de la ciudad nyclpc.maps.arcgis.com) nyclpc.maps.arcgis.com
DIGITAL IMAGE GALLERY	Google photos,  Google Drive, Picu, Pixiest, Canva
DIGITAL DESIGN & EDITING	CANVA FOTOR Kapwing Studio Editor Tech Lagoon RemoveBg Pinetools
DIGITAL DRAWING	Procreate  Adobe Illustrator  Adobe Photoshop Canva Sketchbook