PRINCIPLES OF CARTOGRAPHY

GEO362
CHAPTER 8
Typography & Name Placement
 Map Lettering & Typography

What is map lettering and typography?

Process of selecting a typeface design, preparing

the names, and placing them in position is
collectively called lettering the map.

Old Cartography New Cartography

Old cartography use conventional Digital cartographer; however, were

hand-written, drawing and colouring provides with more variety lettering
techniques. functions by digital computer software
 Map Lettering & Typography

Function of lettering:

- As an additional symbol to features ( Sek. instead of using

symbols)
- Aid in locating and positioning feature
- Layout determination (Text for legend, titles, etc)
- Labelling specific features (Name of features)
- Determine map scale (Text for large scale and small scale
differs by its quantity)
- Classify label of features (Ranking of features)
Elements of Typographic Design

Type style Type

(typefac form
e) (style)

Type
Type size
colour
 Elements of Typographic Design

Type Style

Style differences include

the different font types,
light, medium, bold, and
extra bold variations.
 Elements of Typographic Design

Type Style

Spacing: Performed to
ensure the lettering
was arrange properly
(beauty of lettering)
 Elements of Typographic Design

Type Form

Refer to whether type is uppercase or lowercase,

whether its stance is upright and slanted, whether it
is roman or italic, and combinations of these and
similar elements.
 Elements of Typographic Design

Type Size
 Lettering the Map

Text positioning:

- The text should be clear and legible (avoid

confusion)
- The text should be placed in open graphic
space on the feature
- Text should be placed in a position where
maximum reading is possible
 Lettering the Map

Point feature lettering:

Point feature require fixed text

positions
Point symbols should be labelled with
no letter spacing
The most preferred position on
lettering is above and to the right of
the place
Name should be either entirely on
land or on water
Lettering should never be upside
down Good Poor
Alignment of point features: Alignment
parallel to the neat lines of the map
 Lettering the Map

Linear feature lettering:

- Along the linear features, or
- on the same side, or
- across the features, either upper left or right

Good Poor Good Poor

 Lettering the Map

Linear feature lettering:

- Place names along the lines
- Conform to the curvature of the line
- Avoid complex curvatures
- Place name in unoccupied spaces
- Text should not cling to objects
- Text should not be too far from objects
- Dont place names on other side of intervening objects Good

Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor

Good

Poor
 Lettering the Map

Labelling coast or shoreline:

- Names of shore and coastal places placed entirely on water
- Names of places near shore but not on shore placed entirely on
land
- No names split over land and water

Good

Poor

Good Poor
 Lettering the Map

Labelling river:

- Names should not cross their objects

- Place river names where:
a) River bends least
Good Poor
b) River does not run vertically up and
down
c) There are the fewest objects
- If river runs vertically
a) Write name with first letter towards
bottom

Good Poor
 Lettering the Map

Labelling geomorphology features:

- Summit names:
a) Dont place name curved around summit

- Mountain passes
a) Name the highest point in the pass on large scale maps
b) Use linear position on small scale maps
c) When route is known, place text along linear designation
 Lettering the Map

Areal features labelling:

- Example of features such as oceans, lakes, mountain ranges,

districts, countries
- Name of the feature should give a good impression of the
extent and character of the area
- In general, names representing administrative features should
be placed horizontal, while names representing natural
features can follow the natural extension of the area, even
along curved lines
- Names should be placed in the optical center of the area and
cover approximately 2/3 of the area.
 Lettering the Map

Areal feature labelling:

- Basic labelling rule:

a) Bend curved lines toward the horizontal
b) Use a single arc of a circle if possible
c) Not more than 60
d) Use double curved lines for long names only
e) Dont use uneven or sharp curves
f) Use either really straight or obviously curved type
Poor Good
 Lettering the Map

Title and legend labels:

- Title are generally the most important and should be largest in

type size
- Any subtitles should have smaller point size
- Lettering size for legend should be smaller than title
- Map sources and credit information should be smallest in point
size
- The position of title and legend should be determine by overall
layout of the map
 Lettering the Map

Order of name placement:

- Spot heights, benchmarks, trig. points, etc

- Name of other point symbol (from small to big)
- Name of natural line symbols
- Name of natural area symbols (small to big)
- Name of administrative area (small to big)
- Contour numbers and non-toponymic text