Mike's Maps - Terms Of Service

Terms of Service

Definitions

Advance payments: Please pay in advance, before a consulatation begins.
Consultation: Real-time text/voice call to set out the project.
Linework: The outline of any map.
Partial advance payments: I'm happy to do an hour of map work before invoicing with new clients, and up to three hours with established clients.
Rough: Initial details that I draw on your commissioned map, presented for you to review and provide me with feedback on any changes required.
Software-assisted map: Maps drawn wholly or partly in Wonderdraft (fantasy map making program).
Text communication: Liaising the map project using text/images/sketches that is usually not in real-time.
WIP (Work In Progress): A draft or unfinished map. These will usually include a watermark.

Services Overview

I draw detailed bespoke fantasy flat maps ('flat' maps, rather than depictions of 3D globes) on a commission basis. As part of this service, I take your initial and ongoing specifications into account to ensure you get a unique map tailored to your wishes. Note the maps are digital images. I do not draw traditional paper maps.

I offer:

Physical maps - These show terrains such as desert, forests, glaciers, and natural landmarks such as lakes, rivers, oceans/seas, mountains, and volcanoes. A map can also include elevation above sea level.
Political maps - These show the borders and names of countries, states, or other political areas.
Settlement/City maps - These can show streets, buildings, rivers, open areas, underground areas, and other features of the built-up environment.

I can also give guidance over placement of the details on maps, such as rivers or country borders. In addition, I also offer a geographical world building service to assist you in the physics and geography of how your world may work and/or fit together. For non-geographic world building (e.g. culture, lore, species, politics) I recommend getting in touch with The Character Consultancy, as detailed below.

Note that if you have multiple worlds, or multiple areas you want to be mapped, I will work on one map at a time only. I will only commence work on the next map once the first one is finished and paid for in full.

The Character Consultancy

If you have previously worked with The Character Consultancy, please let me know. TCC is run by my partner, and she may be able to efficiently show me any relevant worldbuilding you have done together.

Communicating Your Requirements

I use Discord (mikesmaps) to communicate and agree how the project will progress. If you don’t use Discord, then we can communicate by email (please see Contact Me). By all means suggest another platform to communicate if you prefer, and I will consider it.

Communication is by text (plus using sketches/images if you have them). I don’t charge for this. However I won’t always be able to respond immediately, unless you arrange a consultation. Please try to keep to the relevant details of the map project.

Before I can start working on your map I need to know as much as I can about your requirements. Please tell me the following:

Coverage – is this going to be a world map, a continent, country, island, region, settlement?
Existing maps – do you already have a map or sketch that you would like me to work from? It will be helpful if you can show me.
Canvas size – how big would you like your map to be? A certain paper size, or particular dimensions in terms of pixels? Note my standard map size is 7500x4500 pixels (be sure to view at 100% zoom).
Detail & style – how detailed do you want the map? I aim to include as much detail on a map as possible so when the image is zoomed into, it continues to look detailed. Let me know if you prefer a lower level of detail (a map with less close detail will take less work, and therefore cost less). Do you have a particular map style in mind? Let me know what you're looking for and I'll see how attainable it is. Note that I'm not a true artist so highly artistic/pictoral maps are unlikely to be feasible.
Hand-drawn or software assisted map? - Hand drawn maps are more unique than software-assisted maps (note: not AI generated!), with the trade off being that software-assisted maps take less time to complete and therefore cost less to draw.
Time – how soon would you like your map to be complete? How quickly would you like WIP maps to be turned around? Note I generally work on a 6 day turnaround on WIP maps, but aim to have these done sooner than that. As above, software-assisted maps take less time to draw, so will cost less.

Consultations

There is the option of a consultation to discuss your map project, again on Discord . It can be by text or voice-call. As this is real-time (my time during the consultation is devoted to your project), I charge for my time. Please get in touch to arrange a consultation at a mutually convenient time, if you wish to discuss your project in this way. I also offer consultations for discussing world building, whether it relates to a WIP map or not.

Please give at least 24 hours notice for any cancellations or to reschedule. Any changes to bookings within 24 hours will incur a 50% (of the session cost) charge per booking. Exceptions will be made in the case of emergencies, bereavements, etc. Changes with more than 24 hours notice are free of charge.

If you have not joined the consultation by 15 minutes into the session or communicated with me that you are running late, I will terminate the session. I do not provide a refund or attend further bookings under this circumstance, and for this reason I suggest that you set yourself a reminder to attend, taking into account any time differences for your location.

Map drawing

Once we have agreed how the project will go, I’ll produce a rough outline map of your world/continent/country/region/settlement. This may include plate tectonics, and climate zones where appropriate. Once this is to your liking, I’ll provide a detailed outline. Following that I’ll provide draft mountain ranges, rivers, and other key features as requested. All these features will then be drawn to a level of detail that we have agreed. I will provide a WIP map at each stage to ensure the map is to your expectations and to give you opportunity to change the WIP if needed.

Drawing and any calculations required to set out the map are charged at my map drawing rate, as on my price list.

Once the map is nearing completion, I’ll usually add a map key, compass rose, title, grid lines, scale bar, border, and final surface textures – if you would like some or all of these features. All but the latter are generally considered essential components of a finished map. Please let me know which of these features you would like, or not.

When the map is complete I’ll provide a watermark-free copy.

My focus is the drawing of core map features such as land mass outlines, geographical features, political borders, oceans, settlements and the like. If you require artistic features like resident creatures to be drawn on or around the map, I suggest commissioning an artist to draw such features for you, so I can add these when finalising the map. However, I can add straight-forward icons/pictures, as can be seen in my portfolio.

Payments

My price list, along with further information about the terms of payments, can be found here.

I accept payments by Paypal, and other major cards like Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Maestro. Please see footer link for more info. You don't need a Paypal account to pay me.

Xe has an easy to use currency converter facility if you wish to check the price in a different currency.

Refunds

Where payment has been received in advance of doing the work, I will issue a refund if no work has yet been completed, and payment was made within the last calendar month. I will also refund for any overpaid work-hours if you have made an advance payment for more work than has been required for per-hour charged maps. This does not apply to fixed-price maps. Refunds under any other circumstances are at my discretion.

Non-Payment

If you have difficulties making your payment due to an issue with your bank account or PayPal account, then it is your responsibility to resolve the issue and ensure that Mike’s Maps receives payment. I will not waive fees on this basis.

Should payment not be received within reasonable time after invoicing, then no further work will commence until the payment is received.

Works in Progress (WIP)

I provide works in progress at the following stages:

rough linework
finalised linework
rough geographical details such as tectonic plates, mountains/volcanoes, rivers, tree cover, glaciers etc.
finalised geographical details
rough landmarks such as castles, ruins, battlefields, settlements, and other non-natural details.
finalised landmarks
rough political details such as national or state borders and country/other location names
finalised political details

- and at any other stage in-between as necessary to give you the opportunity to approve or request changes.

Delivery of Services

Please note, I have a number of commitments outside of Mike’s Maps so every week is different for me. This means I may have more time to work on maps on some weeks than others, so the following details are goals rather than a promise. If you would like me to work on your commission within a set deadline, let me know, so I can prioritise accordingly.

Turnaround Times

Please let me know if you have time constraints or expectations. I look to ask you at the start of the project, so we are on the same page regarding time. I aim to turn around the next WIP within 6 days, although I’ll be quicker than this in most cases. If this is not possible – for example I’m taking holiday, or the next stage on your map is complex – I’ll let you know so we can come to an agreement. Barring those circumstances, should I be late in providing the next WIP, I’ll reduce the rate I’m charging for that work portion/WIP by 25%.

Presentation

I provide maps in PNG format to maintain image quality. At the early stages of a project, I may also use JPEG files when quality is not so important. My world maps are often 7500x4500 pixels (roughly equivalent to a 32 megapixel/MP image). My maps are produced at 300dpi, so my standard world map is 63.5cm x 38.1cm if printed out (similar to UK paper size A2). I'm increasingly producing maps at different sizes and ratios, so I'm happy to produce maps at any size you require (up to 8k max or ~64MP).

I present your maps to you by uploading them onto our Discord chat. If you prefer me to deliver your map in another way, please let me know. I usually upload them to this site too, from where you can download your map (on a private link if required).

Corrections and Adjustments

I provide Works in Progress throughout the project so that you can advise me on any adjustments that you want me to make.

If you have adjustments for me to make, please do so by either letting me know (i.e. on Discord ) or by marking on the draft map I’ve sent you (or you could provide a separate sketch if you prefer).

Note it’s important to let me know of any adjustments you would like after each WIP, before I continue with other parts of the project. This reduces rework.

Artifical Intelligence (A.I.)

All my maps are created digitally by hand, where I retain full artistic control of the end result. While A.I. could be a useful tool in the future, for now I do not use it in any capacity when drawing my maps. The only exception to this is when I'm looking to invent place names, when I may use A.I. to speed up place naming. The only exception to this is when I'm looking to invent place names, when I may use A.I. to speed up the process.

Copyright

Note that as the creator of your map, I retain copyright of the finished map. In some circumstances I may choose to build on an already completed map, and/or publish it in other places. I will always look for your approval should I wish to do so, out of politeness. However as I own the copyright, I may choose to use such a map for other projects as I see fit. While I retain the copyright, you are free to use my works as you wish (including for commercial gain). I only ask that should you upload my maps or seek commerical again from my works that you credit me and refer to this website please. This is correct as of November 2023, but may be subject to change.

I retain the right to refuse commissions that contain copyrighted images or maps. Examples may be an image you provided for me to work from, copying or simulating a copyrighted map, or maps where you have asked me to include/add copyrighted material. Of course, you are welcome to obtain permission to use any such copyrighted material, to enable us to use it. On a side note, I may also refuse to work on maps that include prejudicial, abusive or pornographic images/text.

For further information around fair usage and privacy, see Polices.