Personalised Map Buying Guide: Choose the Right Gift

A personalised map gift starts with a place that means something: the country you left, the home you share, or the two places that keep a relationship connected. The right design depends on how many places you want to show, how you want to display them and whether you want a physical print or a digital file.

This guide compares the choices in Lotsy's personalised maps collection so you can choose a design that fits the person and the space.

Start with the story you want to tell

Before choosing colours or size, write down the places the gift should represent. For a couple, that might be the countries they each call home. For someone moving abroad, it could be the home they are leaving and the place they are moving to. For a family, three countries might represent different generations or loved ones living apart.

Choose the locations first, then check the personalisation fields on the design. Country-map artwork with a marked city is different from a detailed street map: select a product whose illustrated style matches what you want to give.

Two places: together on one print or across a matching set?

Together on one print

If you want both places together in a single display, choose the personalised two-country map print. It places two colourful country maps side by side in one landscape artwork, connected by a heart line.

This works well when you want one focal point: for example, a gift for a couple from different countries or a reminder of home for someone living abroad. The design lets you choose the countries and heart-marked locations, with optional wording and a message.

Across two matching prints

The two-country map print set presents the countries as separate matching pieces. Choose it if you like a coordinated display with space between the maps rather than one combined picture.

Measure the whole arrangement, including the gap between the pieces. For a paper set, allow room for the outer dimensions of the frames you intend to use, not just the paper sizes. Check the selected format: the paper option contains two prints, while a canvas option contains two canvases.

A shared memory between two places

If the story is as much about the people as the places, consider the personalised map and photo print set. Two country-map artworks sit either side of a central photograph, creating a three-piece display.

You can provide a country and city for each map, upload your photograph and add an optional title and subtitle, such as names and a meaningful date. This is a useful choice for an anniversary or a long-distance relationship when you want to show both the connection and a shared memory.

Use the clearest original photograph you have rather than a screenshot or a heavily cropped social-media copy. Check the faces and important details before uploading, especially if you plan to order a larger print.

For family across three countries

The personalised three-country map print set brings three country artworks together in a matching display. It can represent family living in different countries, a birthplace and two later homes, or three places that matter to the recipient.

Select the three countries and the locations to mark, then decide whether you want text. Check the space for all three pieces before choosing a size. If you need a different number of countries, compare the other designs in the collection rather than assuming every set can be extended.

Which design suits the occasion?

• Anniversary: choose places that tell the couple's story. A combined two-country design keeps the connection in one artwork; a map-and-photo set adds a shared photograph.
• Long-distance relationship: two meaningful countries connected by a heart line make the distance part of the design. Check the location spelling and optional wording together before ordering.
• Moving abroad: pair the country being left behind with the new home. If the recipient is still moving, consider how easy the finished artwork will be to transport or where they plan to display it.
• Family living overseas: a multi-country set can represent relatives in different places. Choose the number of artworks to match both the story and the available wall space.

Physical print or digital download?

A physical option gives you artwork delivered to an address. A digital option gives you a file to arrange printing yourself. Check the format label carefully; a digital file does not include a posted print.

Lotsy's two-country map digital download is made to order and emailed, rather than supplied as an instant download. The product page explains the current preparation time, file resolution and printing sizes. Choose the size you intend to print: the file can be printed at the purchased size or smaller.

For physical orders, free worldwide standard delivery is included. If you are ordering for a birthday, anniversary or departure date, read the shipping and delivery information and allow for both personalisation and delivery. A digital design also needs preparation time, followed by any printing you arrange.

Personalisation choices vary by design. If you are unsure whether a location or request will work, contact Lotsy before ordering.

Images show example personalisations styled in frames. Check the selected product format for what is included; countries, marked locations and personal wording vary by design.

Ready to choose? Explore personalised map prints and sets and pick the layout that tells your story.