The BAPC has recognised for a long time that maps are used extensively in all forms of design, for print and websites and when it comes to creating maps for customers, designers and printers face a variety of challenges. It is expensive, time consuming, often inaccurate and almost impossible to start from scratch. The solution seems obvious - to obtain an existing map, make the necessary amendments and add the personal information as required by the customer.
But even this means that the designer has to gain permission from the map originators because of the obvious copyright conditions. Up until now obtaining such permission has not been easy. It's been expensive and complicated resulting in many printers and designers ignoring their responsibility and trying to "get away with copying or tracing existing maps" and ignoring their legal responsibilities.
This situation has become even more significant as Copyright issues have been brought more to the forefront, indeed those who hold the rights of maps are becoming ever more vigilant as the dramatic increase in legal proceedings clearly indicates.
It is the BAPC's wish to help alleviate the burden and so this new service will help designers and printers achieve the following:-
Such is the importance of this new service that it is open to all within the industry whether they belong to the BAPC or not. All a printer has to do is visit the BAPC web site, go to the mapping section and follow a few simple instructions.
The BAPC mapping service is licensed by Ordnance Survey through Location Maps, a major player in the design and supply of printed mapping to an extensive and prestigious client list.
Ordnance Survey's reputation needs little embellishment. Any use of the OS base data in any publishing situation needs licensing from OS. Location Maps have been privileged to be a Licensed Partner of OS for several years and can ensure that all maps purchased from this system will be bought will all relevant OS royalties already paid.
There are five scales: 1:10,000 (street level), 1:50,000, 1:100,000, 1:500,000 and 1:750,000.
You simply visit http://www.bapc.co.uk/ and click on the OS Mapping service button. Enter the post code or town name and the area map will appear immediately. Choose the scale you require, centre the map for the area you require, confirm the resolution and enter. Once you pay, your map will be sent to you as an email, ready to use in seconds.
If you need to move the point on which the map is centred just click on any point on the map and the map will automatically re-centre upon that point.
The map you see on your screen covers the same ground area as the 10cm by 10cm map file we will send to you. The size of the map display on your screen will of course vary according to the size of your browser window.
If you are to use the map for web site display only then you only need a low resolution 150dpi file. This is more than suitable and very cost effective.
If you're going to use the maps for digital printing then a 600dpi file will give you a resolution suitable for this process.
If your end need is lithographic printing then the 1200dpi options will provide you with the high resolution you need.
EPS files are supplied with all resolutions and these can be edited using Illustrator or Freehand. The files are layered to allow easy selection of roads or background for re-colouring or even to adjust line thickness. To ensure scalability and accuracy, the text within the files are outlined. This means that one cannot accidentally alter or change the mapping text whilst still allowing for the flexibility of being able to add new text to the map.
For designers or printers the need to edit or change the fonts or text of the mapping a completely text editable version can be obtained by contacting info@locationmaps.com.
All maps published using Ordnance Survey data in the UK are subject to OS royalties. This fee is determined by use and resolution. In fact, up until the BAPC service, this has been a very complicated procedure with hundreds of combinations. Through extensive negotiations over the past year, the BAPC have negotiated a much simpler agreement that reduces the options to just an understandable few. The ordering site confirms the details of the end use so that the royalties and licence can all be included in a total sale price which is much lower than the previous method.