Print your own waterproof maps

[mattdrayer]

Absolutely brilliant:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Print-Waterproof-Plastic-Maps/

Make your own Waterproof Maps by Printing directly on Plastic Film...garbage bag film. This is not simply laminating paper maps.

The end result of this simple project is a 100% plastic map that is thinner, lighter, and more durable than paper.

Sure, plastic paper can be purchased for printing water resistant maps however, it is expensive, and usually thicker and stiffer than regular paper; making it difficult to fold into a pocket sized, ready reference.

This process produces a map that is only slightly thicker than a garbage bag; that is waterproof, and best of all, can be folded (or crumpled) without damage for stuffing in a pocket.

[Suz]

Absolutely brilliant:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Print-Waterproof-Plastic-Maps/

Make your own Waterproof Maps by Printing directly on Plastic Film...garbage bag film. This is not simply laminating paper maps.

The end result of this simple project is a 100% plastic map that is thinner, lighter, and more durable than paper.

Sure, plastic paper can be purchased for printing water resistant maps however, it is expensive, and usually thicker and stiffer than regular paper; making it difficult to fold into a pocket sized, ready reference.

This process produces a map that is only slightly thicker than a garbage bag; that is waterproof, and best of all, can be folded (or crumpled) without damage for stuffing in a pocket.

Let us know how a chart looks after printing it.

It seems that it would lose what I need most. Here is what it said about the limitations:

This is where this Instructables map technique excels... A ready reference thin enough to be stuffed in a pocket, durable enough to survive multiple crumpling and best of all...weatherproof.

It is important to understand the limitations of this process.

Plastic film shrinks when heated so, the map scale will no longer be correct (i.e. a 1/4 inch will no longer equal a mile, etc.)

The fidelity of fine map details may be difficult to discern. Printer ink does not absorb into the plastic film so, the surface tension of the ink will will blur small text and fine details.

Despite these drawbacks, this process will produce a reusable map suitable to tuck in a shirt pocket for reference on the trail in the worst weather, or as a very compact emergency back-up map tucked away in a survival kit.