Do you want to laser cut or engrave a city map? Then you need a design drawing. Fortunately, you don't have to redraw screenshots from Google Maps! With the free software QGIS, you can retrieve map data from OpenStreetMap and export it as SVG, ready to be finalized in Illustrator for the laser.
In this tutorial, you will learn step-by-step how to do this.
What do you need?
- QGIS (free, open-source)
- Vector drawing program, such as Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape
- Google Maps
- A design idea
Step 1: Choose your area
First, find the area you want to use in Google Maps. Consider recognizability: make sure there are enough landmarks, such as water, major roads, or a characteristic street pattern.
Step 2: Install QGIS
Download and install QGIS. This is a free, open-source GIS program that allows you to retrieve and edit geographic map data.
Step 3: Install the QuickOSM plugin
Open QGIS and go to Plugins > Manage Plugins in the top menu. Search for QuickOSM and click Install Plugin. This plugin retrieves data from OpenStreetMap.
You can also find the plugin via this link.
Step 4: Load the OpenStreetMap map layer
In the Browser panel (left), search for XYZ Tiles and double-click OpenStreetMap. The map will now be loaded as a background layer.
Step 5: Navigate to your area
Zoom in on the area you want to export by scrolling on the map. Go to the location you want to create.
Step 6: Open QuickOSM
In the top menu, go to the QuickOSM plugin and open it.
Step 7: Retrieve the map data
Select the Urban preset in QuickOSM. Change the location selection to Canvas Extent (this exports what is currently visible on your screen). Click Run Preset. QGIS will now load streets, water bodies, and other elements as separate layers.
Step 8: Hide street names
Select a layer with street names and open the Layer Labeling Options panel. Set the option to No Labels instead of Single Labels. Repeat this for each layer with labels.
Step 9: Disable unnecessary layers
Go to the Layers panel and turn off the OpenStreetMap (background map) and Buildings layers. This way, you only keep the streets and water.
Step 10: Create a Print Layout
Press Ctrl+P to open a new Print Layout. In the sidebar, click Add Map and draw a frame on the page to place the map.
Step 11: Set the page size
Right-click on the canvas and choose Page Properties. Set the page size to the format of your final product, for example, 300 × 400 mm for a standard wall map.
Step 12: Position the map
Use the Move Content function to move the map until the desired area fits exactly within the page margins. Ensure that the map boundaries align with the page margin.
Step 13: Export as SVG
Click Export as SVG at the top. Check the following options:
- Always export as vectors
- Crop to Content
Click Save to save the file.
Step 14: Open the SVG file in Adobe Illustrator
Open the exported SVG file in Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, or another vector program. You will now see the map as vector shapes that you can edit.
In the following steps, we will continue in Adobe Illustrator. If you use another program, the tools will have different names, but the principle remains the same.
Step 15: Create a compound path and set the color
Select all parts of the map and make them a Compound Path (Object > Compound Path > Make). Then give the lines the correct color for your laser cutter, so you can differentiate between engraving and cutting.
Step 16: Remove what falls outside the frame
Draw a rectangle the size of your map. Select all lines, open the Shape Builder tool (Shift+M), hold Alt, and drag over the lines that fall outside the rectangle. They will be removed.
Step 17: Give the roads a width
Streets in the SVG file are thin lines. To cut or engrave them, they must be converted to areas. Select the road lines and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Use an offset so that the roads are at least 2 mm wide. Narrow details are fragile after cutting, so wider roads make your map sturdier.
Step 18: Clean up the drawing
Check the file for duplicate lines and overlapping paths. Remove superfluous elements. A clean drawing prevents problems with laser cutting.
Step 19: Save
Save your drawing in a suitable format for your laser cutter. If you're still wondering what the best software for laser cutting is, you might find our honest review of Lightburn interesting, read the review here.
Design tips for a great result
Recognizability. Choose a cutout where people immediately recognize the area. Water features such as canals and rivers help enormously, as they are unique to each city and quickly provide orientation.
Visual hierarchy. Make main roads clearly wider than side streets. This makes the map more readable and visually appealing.
Minimum width. Keep streets at least 2 mm wide for wood and acrylic. For softer materials like PET felt, a minimum of 4 mm is recommended.
Test small first. Make a test cut of a small section before cutting the full sheet. This way, you can check if the details are sturdy enough.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Inkscape instead of Adobe Illustrator?
Yes, Inkscape is a free alternative that fully supports SVG files. The names of the tools may differ, but the steps are similar. For example, "Offset Path" in Inkscape is called "Grow/Shrink path" (via Path > Grow/Shrink).
Which material is most suitable for a laser-cut city map?
Birch plywood 3 mm is a popular choice due to its sturdiness and high quality. Black MDF is used for a graphic appearance. PET felt also provides immediate acoustic damping in your space.
How large can I make my city map?
That depends on the size of your laser bed material and the level of detail of your map. A common size is 300 x 400 mm. Make sure the roads are no narrower than 2 mm wide; even then, they are quite fragile.
My SVG file looks messy in Illustrator, what now?
This is often due to duplicate lines or overlapping paths that QGIS exports. In Illustrator, use the "Unite" function or manually remove duplicates. A clean file is crucial for a good cut, otherwise the laser will go over the same line multiple times.
May I use OpenStreetMap data commercially?
OpenStreetMap is licensed under the Open Database License (ODbL). You may use the data freely, even for commercial products, as long as you attribute the source (e.g., "© OpenStreetMap contributors") and share derived datasets under the same license. For the sale of physical products such as maps, a slightly more lenient regulation applies; consult the official OSM license information for current conditions.
Everything about laser-cutting city maps
We have researched the best way to laser-cut city maps. Whether you want to engrave coasters for a museum shop or create wooden wall decorations as a personal gift. Maps are a fun and creative project for laser cutters.
