In today’s digital world, it’s easy to access an online map service (like those offered by Google and Apple) or a GPS system that will provided step-by-step instructions on how to reach any given location or destination — just plug in the address of your starting and end points and away you go! Not only will these services suss out the shortest route and show a visual representation on a map, they’ll provide verbal directions via a voice-synthesized human providing precise directions and commands: “In 500ft, make a left turn on to Bowery Street; in a quarter mile, your destination will be on the left.” So, are printed maps really necessary or useful anymore?
Printed Maps Are Still Useful!
While road atlases have become outdated, other types of printed maps remain popular and offer information Google or Apple can’t provide. For example, local parks with hiking or biking trails benefit from having a printed map to highlight such trails and other features of the park like picnic areas with shelters, natural features, historic landmarks, etc. Businesses or organizations located in dense, urban areas can benefit from having a highly detailed printed map showing their precise location, particularly if they share an address with other businesses or if parking and access is an issue. Printed maps, whether provided as handouts or featured in wall-mounted or kiosk displays, are a necessity for large hospitals and healthcare organizations to help people navigate through multiple buildings with multiple floors. The same applies to larger businesses and/or manufacturing facilities that may occupy acres of space. Shopping malls and other large retail operations benefit from having printed maps available, again either as handouts or shown in displays, to help customers find a particular store or department.
Road Atlases and Folded Road Maps
It’s not likely road atlases and road maps will become completely obsolete if only because electronic devices are always susceptible to malfunction and/or the wireless networks providing access to digital content malfunction or are unavailable, etc. Hence, having some form of printed road map available to your customers or clients indicating your business or organization’s location can still be useful.
If you have any questions about Printed Maps, give us a call at 330-597-8560. We’re happy to help you get the most out of your printing project.
