Custom designs
A map, made just for you.
Our standard range is a starting point. When the place, size, or format isn't quite right, we build the piece from scratch — any coastline, anywhere in the world.
When to go custom
Three reasons to commission a piece.
Almost every custom build we've done starts with one of these.
We haven't got a map of your coastline
Any coastline, anywhere in the world. A specific bay, a whole region, a Scottish loch, a lake with decent bathymetry — if we haven't built it yet, this is where to start.
You want a different size or format
Long panoramic pieces, feature-wall builds, small collectible-sized coastlines. When our standard sizes don't suit the space, we build to your dimensions.
Gifts, corporate orders, or matching sets
Client thank-yous, staff milestones, retirement gifts, boardroom pieces. Whether it's a single presentation or a matching run for a whole team, tell us what you have in mind.
The design process
Bring your map to life in three steps.
Here's how a recent Cook Strait commission moved from an initial brief to a piece on the wall.
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01 · Choose your size & locationPick your size and tell us the coastline, bay, or beach you want featured.
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02 · We design it for youKate and Matt draft the design and share a preview. Nothing is cut until you're happy.
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03 · Hang it, gift it, love itOnce approved, we handcraft the piece in our Auckland workshop and send it to your door.
Sizing & pricing
Four sizes, one honest price each.
These are what we quote for a standard custom build in each size. Highly complex designs, extra personalisations, or bespoke framing sit above these — we'll always tell you before we start.
Small
40 × 40 cm · up to 6 layers
$899
Medium
60 × 60 cm · up to 7 layers
$1,099
Large
80 × 60 cm · up to 7 layers
$1,299
Extra Large
120 × 80 cm · up to 8 layers
$1,999
How each size sits in our laser bed
Extra Large is the full sheet. Large is exactly half of it. More in our sizing guide.
How it works
From first note to piece on the wall.
Typically four to eight weeks all in, from initial brief to delivery.
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1
Start with your place
Send a note through the enquiry form below or email hello@tidesoutmaps.co.nz. The best briefs describe the place, why it matters, and any thoughts on size. Photos of the space help too.
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2
Concept & customisation
Once you've said yes to the quote and paid a deposit, we draft the concept and share a preview. We'll guide you through design options and lock in any bespoke additions — engraved text, symbols, location markers. Allow 2–6 weeks depending on our workload.
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3
Build & delivery
With the design approved, we move into production — painting, cutting, and hand-assembling in our Auckland workshop. Once complete, we arrange pickup or delivery, packaged with care and ready to hang. Allow 1–2 weeks.
Common questions
What to expect.
How long does a custom piece take?
Roughly four to eight weeks all in. The design phase takes 2–6 weeks depending on workload and complexity; build & delivery is another 1–2 weeks. We'll give you a realistic estimate once we've talked through what you want.
Can you build a map of somewhere outside New Zealand?
Yes — we've done coastlines all over the world. International datasets take a bit more work to source and prepare, so international commissions usually run longer than a comparable NZ piece.
What if I don't have exact coordinates or details?
That's normal. Describe the place, why it matters, and what you'd like marked, and we'll sketch it out and send you a design preview to sign off before we cut anything. A Google Maps screenshot is often enough to get started.
Can I see the design before you build it?
Always. Nothing gets cut until you've signed off the concept preview. That's where place-names, engravings, and any personalisations get locked in.
Do you take corporate or bulk orders?
Yes — we love these. Matching pieces for a boardroom, staff milestones, client gifts, retirement presents. Get in touch with what you have in mind and we'll come back with a quote.
What's the biggest map you can build?
Our standard XL is 120 × 80 cm. For bigger pieces we work in multi-panel formats (see the spotlight below — that piece is two metres wide). Get in touch and we'll figure out what's practical for your space.
How does the balance of land and ocean affect the design?
We aim for a roughly even split of land to ocean in the final piece — it just looks more balanced on the wall. Sometimes that means zooming out or shifting the frame a little. We'll always talk through the options with you.
Commission spotlight
Top of the South — a three-panel masterpiece.
When one panel isn't enough. This custom commission spans three frames, capturing the entire Top of the South Island coastline in stunning layered detail.
The Brief
An extra-large statement piece for a new commercial fit-out — a bold centrepiece designed to capture the story of the region.
The Craft
A three-panel design, individually laser-cut and hand-assembled with precision alignment so the coastline flows seamlessly across all three frames.
The Result
A 2-metre wide masterpiece that tells the story of the company and the coastline they call home. Proof that our maps can be as ambitious as your vision.
Ready to start?
Tell us about your map.
The more you can share, the better our first reply. Place, reason, size, deadline — whatever you know. Anything you're not sure about, we'll work through together.
Prefer email? hello@tidesoutmaps.co.nz