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, any dimensions, any story on it.
What we can make
Four kinds of commission we hear most.
A New Zealand place not in our range
A specific bay, a lake, a stretch of coast we haven't mapped yet. If it's on the coast — or on a lake with decent bathymetry — we can almost always build it.
International coastlines
Scottish lochs, Norwegian fjords, Caribbean islands, Canadian lakes. International commissions take a bit more work sourcing datasets, so lead times run longer, but we've built pieces from all over the world.
Unusual sizes or formats
Long panoramic pieces, feature-wall builds, small collectible-sized coastlines. When our standard sizes don't fit the space, we build to your dimensions.
Corporate gifts & bulk orders
Client thank-yous, staff milestones, retirement gifts, boardroom pieces. From single presentations to matching runs, we've done a lot of these — get in touch with what you have in mind.
Pricing
Where the numbers start.
These are starting points — final pricing depends on complexity, layer count, and how bespoke the piece is. We'll always give you a proper quote before anything's committed.
Small & Medium
Up to 60 × 60 cm
from $749
Large
Up to 80 × 60 cm
from $899
Extra Large
Up to 120 × 80 cm
from $1,499
How it works
Four steps from idea to piece on the wall.
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1
Tell us what you're thinking
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
We chat and price it up
Kate or Matt will come back within a day or two with questions, initial thoughts, and a quote. If we need more from you — extent, framing, personalisation — we'll ask.
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3
We design and share a preview
Once you've said yes and paid a deposit, we build the design in our software and send you a preview. Place-names, engravings, and any personalisations get locked in here — nothing's cut until you're happy.
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4
We build it, we ship it
Custom pieces take 3 weeks to 3 months from design sign-off, depending on complexity and workload. Free shipping to New Zealand and Australia; international is quoted case-by-case.
Common questions
What to expect.
How long does a custom piece take?
Anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months, depending on the complexity of the design and our current workload. 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, and pricing sits slightly higher to reflect that.
What if I don't have exact coordinates or details?
That's normal. Describe what you want — the place, why it matters, what you'd like marked — and we'll sketch it out and send you a design preview to sign off before we cut anything.
Can I see the design before you build it?
Always. Once we've locked in the brief and you've paid a deposit, we build the design in software and share a preview. Nothing gets cut until you're happy.
Do you take corporate or bulk orders?
Yes — we love these. Matching pieces for a boardroom, staff milestones, client gifts, retirement presents. Send us the details 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 panels or bespoke frames — get in touch with what you have in mind and we'll figure out what's practical for the 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.
Ready to start?
Tell us about your map.
The more you can share, the better the 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