The 'Passepartout' function creates the WKT definition for a map frame:

• the map frame
• an inner rectangle
• an outer rectangle

The example shows:

• the frame as 'gray' coloured passepartout
• the inner rectangle between map and frame

How to use:

• The WKT definition (well-known text) is written to a text file.
• Copy definition as part of a style into your map control file.

The 'Rectangle' function creates the WKT definition for a rectangle.

The example shows the outline of the text box as rectangle.

How to use:

• The WKT definition (well-known text) is written to a text file.
• Copy definition as part of a style into your map control file.

The 'Crop Marks' function creates the WKT definition for a set of four crop marks.

The example shows the crop marks as right angles in the four map corners.

How to use:

• The WKT definition (well-known text) is written to a text file.
• Copy definition as part of a style into your map control file.

The 'LatLon Grid' function creates a geographic lat/lon grid in geojson format.

The example shows the lat/lon grid drawn as thin lines on top of the map.

How to use:

• The definition for the lat lines are written to a geojson file.
• The definition for the lon lines are written to a geojson file.
• Define styles for both line sets in your map control file.
• Upload both files onto the Printmaps server.

The 'UTM' function creates a geographic UTM grid in geojson format.

How to use:

• The definition for the horizontal lines are written to a geojson file.
• The definition for the vertical lines are written to a geojson file.
• Define styles for both line sets in your map control file.
• Upload both files onto the Printmaps server.

The 'Bearing Line' function creates a geographic line in geojson format.

Most useful to create a scale bar for a map with webmercator projection.

The example shows a labeled scale bar drawn as line on top of the map.

How to use:

• The definition for the bearing line is written to a geojson file.
• Define styles for line and label in your map control file.
• Upload the file onto the Printmaps server.

The 'LatLon Line' function creates a geographic line in geojson format.

Most useful to create a beeline between two given points.

How to use:

• The definition for the latlon line is written to a geojson file.
• Define styles for line and label in your map control file.
• Upload the file onto the Printmaps server.

The 'Bearing Line' function creates a geographic line in geojson format.

Most useful to create a scale bar for a map with UTM projection.

How to use:

• The definition for the UTM line is written to a geojson file.
• Define styles for line and label in your map control file.
• Upload the file onto the Printmaps server.

Each grid label needs a style definition in the map control file.

This step can be simplified by generating the styles programmtically.

Best option: Use a programming language or tool you are familiar with.

Simple solution: Create a script and run it online on a Lua Interpreter.

The example shows:

• labels for the lat grid lines
• labels for the lon grid lines

How to use:

• Use a Lua script from a sample map as template.
• Modify the Lua script according to your needs.
• Run the Lua script on a Lua online interpreter.
• Copy the program output into your map control file.

Printmaps can draw basic text elements such as title, copyright or labels onto the map. For further needs such as info boxes or legends, its better to create them with an external tool designed for this purpose. The result can be a grafical element that is placed by Printmaps onto the map. Or use your tool to draw the texts or elements direct onto the map.

The example shows:

• title and copyright drawn by Printmaps
• lat/lon grid labels drawn by Printmaps
• information added by post-processing