Map of the Realms professionally framed [Archive] - Wizards Community

Map of the Realms professionally framed [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Luiscyfer
12-31-06, 09:23 AM Well Met and Good Morrow',
I am trying to have the four poster Map of the realms gotten from the Dragon Magazines, professionally fit together and framed. It is a custom piece and current estimates are running around $900.00 or so. I found one custom shop owner who apparently needs the work, and is willing to do it for about $450.00.
My question is this...has anyone here on the boards had this done? If so, do you suggest flat boarding the entire piece as one or mat boarding each individual map and then piecing them together.
I don't know, just curious really to see if anyone has done this already and possible suggestions. The maps when placed together without including the frame will be 40"x60". Huge!! My players will love it.
Thanks everyone.
MarkusTay63
12-31-06, 10:59 AM $450 to frame the FR map?! :bigeyes:

Damn, I don't love the Realms THAT much.

Theres a local guy I know that would PAINT me a new map for that much, and he'd even frame it!

Well, good luck with that. I've framed my own stuff before (I'm a carpenter), so I figure the mats are around $50. If it takes him half a day (and it shouldn't) you are paying around $100 an hour for labor, which is slightly high for skilled craftsmanship. Usually that goes for $50-$75 an hour, and it really should take him less then two hours.
Luiscyfer
12-31-06, 01:08 PM You have to understand that each map isn't cut exactly to fit each other. Each one of the four needs to be cut very precisely and then stretched to pull the creases out (folded to fit into the magazines). To ensure the best fit and look, each one must also be mat boarded on its own. The frame I chose alone is worth $500.00 due to size (length across is 5 feet). Matting cannot be done, due to size of the finished piece. Mat boarding is what the piece is attached to from behind to lend strength to it. Matting is what is typically seen around the borders of the piece when framed. Two different things.

Just as a sidenote; my fiancee' had her Bachelor's of Science diploma custom framed and even as small as it was, it cost just over $200.00. I figure getting a piece custom fitted and framed for only $450.00 is a steal; especially when its' 3 1/2 feet by 5 feet.

Thanks for your post! :D Besides, $450.00 isn't that expensive when it will be a treasured piece of mine. Inspiring my imagination and waxing nostalgic of campaigns past.
MarkusTay63
12-31-06, 05:36 PM Yeah, I missed out on that map unfortunately.

My Dad passed away just a few days before part 1 came out in Dragon, and then I didn't go into my LGS for the next four months becasue of all the family things and what-not (besides not really being in the mood for games right then).

By the time I got back to my old self they had just sold out of the issue with the last part.

Oh well... some things are just more important. :(

If you ever take a pic of the thing hanging on your wall, be sure to post a link to it, I would love to see the finished product.
Luiscyfer
12-31-06, 11:26 PM I'm sorry to hear about your father's passing. Framing a map isn't important at all when compared to the grief you've experienced. I sincerely express my gratitude for your posting, and I'm also sorry to hear that you missed out on the 4 maps. And rest assured, once I get the piece completed (still saving for a bit; should have it done within the next month and a half) I will definately post some pics of it for the gang here on the boards.

May your travels down the dusty roads of the Realms bring you adventure and fortune (and the occasional wench or three)!!
ORC_Paradox
01-01-07, 01:20 AM Instead of one frame/map, I'd suggest multiple frames, one for each one. Then you coule put them on the wall and arrange them around a bit off kilter to make it look artsy, or even just look like a window.

This way you don't have to worry about the maps lining up exactly, because they won't.

:)
MarkusTay63
01-02-07, 12:31 PM But having that HUGE thing all stuck together and hanging from your wall is just so cool. :cool:

I think four little ones would lose what he is going for.
ORC_Paradox
01-03-07, 12:28 AM Yes, that's true- IF the maps were printed so they all lined up perfectly. Becasue they don't, having seperate frames would "mask" the differences unless you look real close. Think of it as a "window" to the realms as it were.

:D
kelcimer
01-03-07, 01:07 PM One thing that would have me hesitate to do this is that the maps from Dragon have different color intensities. I don't know about yours, but the Chult part of the big map is a significantly lighter color then the others. Another thing that would annoy me slightly is that the roads don't line up exactly like the terrain will. Though they aren't much of a problem for me when they are laid out on the floor, the creases will still be there. (Okay, some people might not notice or be bothered, but I'm a graphic designer. I'm supposed to notice these things and be bothered.)

Even still, I'm right there with you on it being really damn cool to have up on the wall. However you do it, just make sure the lands line up right.

You know, you can still buy those issues of Dragon and get the maps if you don't got 'em.

It's a wonder that WotC don't offer maps sold separately.
I wouldn't mind being able to order in a fresh map in a tube, ya know?
Melblen_Cairn
01-03-07, 03:25 PM Once my basement remodel is complete (I designed it with a game room for my friends, slipped it past my Fiance as another bedroom muahahaha) I will be painting the entire map of FR on the wall. When I do it I will link the pics as I go. Will be a bit yet as I am doing the Basement myself.

I decided on this route as opposed to trying to get maps framed. Those creases would annoy me to no end. They would likely never be fully gone.

I have laminated each map using a pretty wide roll of contact paper. Protects them well.
MarkusTay63
01-03-07, 11:35 PM That idea is even cooler then the OP! Just hope they don't re-do the Realms again like they did for 3.0, otherwise you are looking at a tear-jerking re-paint.

You know, if I ever get my settlement and open up a LGS (two VERY big ifs) I wouldn't mind doing this on the wall of my game store. Wonder if that would be legal? :confused:
Ramenth
01-04-07, 01:24 AM I dunno. You could do each wall in a different edition's map. That'd be pretty cool.
Brenigin
01-04-07, 01:55 AM The map is available here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ag/20060607a)on the site as a download, at a reasonable resolution for printing. Why not see if you can get it printed at a size somewhere between the FRCS version and the Dragon four-parter?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Luiscyfer 12-31-06, 09:23 AM	Well Met and Good Morrow', I am trying to have the four poster Map of the realms gotten from the Dragon Magazines, professionally fit together and framed. It is a custom piece and current estimates are running around $900.00 or so. I found one custom shop owner who apparently needs the work, and is willing to do it for about $450.00. My question is this...has anyone here on the boards had this done? If so, do you suggest flat boarding the entire piece as one or mat boarding each individual map and then piecing them together. I don't know, just curious really to see if anyone has done this already and possible suggestions. The maps when placed together without including the frame will be 40"x60". Huge!! My players will love it. Thanks everyone.
MarkusTay63 12-31-06, 10:59 AM	$450 to frame the FR map?! :bigeyes: Damn, I don't love the Realms THAT much. Theres a local guy I know that would PAINT me a new map for that much, and he'd even frame it! Well, good luck with that. I've framed my own stuff before (I'm a carpenter), so I figure the mats are around $50. If it takes him half a day (and it shouldn't) you are paying around $100 an hour for labor, which is slightly high for skilled craftsmanship. Usually that goes for $50-$75 an hour, and it really should take him less then two hours.
Luiscyfer 12-31-06, 01:08 PM	You have to understand that each map isn't cut exactly to fit each other. Each one of the four needs to be cut very precisely and then stretched to pull the creases out (folded to fit into the magazines). To ensure the best fit and look, each one must also be mat boarded on its own. The frame I chose alone is worth $500.00 due to size (length across is 5 feet). Matting cannot be done, due to size of the finished piece. Mat boarding is what the piece is attached to from behind to lend strength to it. Matting is what is typically seen around the borders of the piece when framed. Two different things. Just as a sidenote; my fiancee' had her Bachelor's of Science diploma custom framed and even as small as it was, it cost just over $200.00. I figure getting a piece custom fitted and framed for only $450.00 is a steal; especially when its' 3 1/2 feet by 5 feet. Thanks for your post! :D Besides, $450.00 isn't that expensive when it will be a treasured piece of mine. Inspiring my imagination and waxing nostalgic of campaigns past.
MarkusTay63 12-31-06, 05:36 PM	Yeah, I missed out on that map unfortunately. My Dad passed away just a few days before part 1 came out in Dragon, and then I didn't go into my LGS for the next four months becasue of all the family things and what-not (besides not really being in the mood for games right then). By the time I got back to my old self they had just sold out of the issue with the last part. Oh well... some things are just more important. :( If you ever take a pic of the thing hanging on your wall, be sure to post a link to it, I would love to see the finished product.
Luiscyfer 12-31-06, 11:26 PM	I'm sorry to hear about your father's passing. Framing a map isn't important at all when compared to the grief you've experienced. I sincerely express my gratitude for your posting, and I'm also sorry to hear that you missed out on the 4 maps. And rest assured, once I get the piece completed (still saving for a bit; should have it done within the next month and a half) I will definately post some pics of it for the gang here on the boards. May your travels down the dusty roads of the Realms bring you adventure and fortune (and the occasional wench or three)!!
ORC_Paradox 01-01-07, 01:20 AM	Instead of one frame/map, I'd suggest multiple frames, one for each one. Then you coule put them on the wall and arrange them around a bit off kilter to make it look artsy, or even just look like a window. This way you don't have to worry about the maps lining up exactly, because they won't. :)
MarkusTay63 01-02-07, 12:31 PM	But having that HUGE thing all stuck together and hanging from your wall is just so cool. :cool: I think four little ones would lose what he is going for.
ORC_Paradox 01-03-07, 12:28 AM	Yes, that's true- IF the maps were printed so they all lined up perfectly. Becasue they don't, having seperate frames would "mask" the differences unless you look real close. Think of it as a "window" to the realms as it were. :D
kelcimer 01-03-07, 01:07 PM	One thing that would have me hesitate to do this is that the maps from Dragon have different color intensities. I don't know about yours, but the Chult part of the big map is a significantly lighter color then the others. Another thing that would annoy me slightly is that the roads don't line up exactly like the terrain will. Though they aren't much of a problem for me when they are laid out on the floor, the creases will still be there. (Okay, some people might not notice or be bothered, but I'm a graphic designer. I'm supposed to notice these things and be bothered.) Even still, I'm right there with you on it being really damn cool to have up on the wall. However you do it, just make sure the lands line up right. You know, you can still buy those issues of Dragon and get the maps if you don't got 'em. It's a wonder that WotC don't offer maps sold separately. I wouldn't mind being able to order in a fresh map in a tube, ya know?
Melblen_Cairn 01-03-07, 03:25 PM	Once my basement remodel is complete (I designed it with a game room for my friends, slipped it past my Fiance as another bedroom muahahaha) I will be painting the entire map of FR on the wall. When I do it I will link the pics as I go. Will be a bit yet as I am doing the Basement myself. I decided on this route as opposed to trying to get maps framed. Those creases would annoy me to no end. They would likely never be fully gone. I have laminated each map using a pretty wide roll of contact paper. Protects them well.
MarkusTay63 01-03-07, 11:35 PM	That idea is even cooler then the OP! Just hope they don't re-do the Realms again like they did for 3.0, otherwise you are looking at a tear-jerking re-paint. You know, if I ever get my settlement and open up a LGS (two VERY big ifs) I wouldn't mind doing this on the wall of my game store. Wonder if that would be legal? :confused:
Ramenth 01-04-07, 01:24 AM	I dunno. You could do each wall in a different edition's map. That'd be pretty cool.
Brenigin 01-04-07, 01:55 AM	The map is available here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ag/20060607a)on the site as a download, at a reasonable resolution for printing. Why not see if you can get it printed at a size somewhere between the FRCS version and the Dragon four-parter?