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Map Printing Tutorial Using USGS to Print Topographic Maps

Table of Contents

USGS Map Printing Tutorial o Map Request Form Online o USGS Website o Downloading Map PDFs o Topographic vs. Planimetric Maps o Emailing Patrons

U.S./Texas Topographic Map Request Form How to Find the Correct Topographic Map Plotter Printer Paper Replacement Instructions

USGS Map Printing Tutorial

1) Map Request Forms can be submitted in paper format or online here. Review the information to make sure that the patron filled in on the necessary information. If there is incomplete information, email the patron asking to verify the maps/map scale needed to be printed or talk with a staff member for troubleshooting help.

2) Open the USGS map printing website.

3) Enter your search terms and choose Address or Place or USGS Map Name. Sometimes you

have to try both search options in order to find the map that you are looking for.

4) Click on the red marker for the location you need. A dropdown box will open showing all of the available maps for that region.

5) The maps are sorted by year, map size (24k, 100k, and 250k).

6) Download the map requested by clicking on the blue link that is the size of the file. The circled link below is 24.98 MB.

7) For some maps on the site (such as those in the west Texas/Big Bend area) the map you are searching for will not be displayed in the dropdown box for the region. To solve this you can click on the Mark Points radial button to place your own marker and download the map.

8) Once the map has finished downloading, open the PDF file. Check to make sure that it is atopographic map, which is the default map type that most students need, by enlarging the mapand viewing the top right hand corner of 100K or 250K maps.

Unless a map request specifically states that they want the planimetric version, you’ll need to find a topographic map to print for the request. The only way you can tell if a map is planimetric or topographic is to look on the pdf map file that you downloaded.

9) File/Print. Make sure the correct printer is selected (HP Designjet Z6200 for the newer printer or HP Designjet Z6100 for the older printer).

10) In order to save paper onlyon 24K Maps, click on Properties /Features /Auto Rotate

11) Select the correct paper size by clicking on thePaper/Quality tab and then the Document Size dropdown.

12) If the Oversize 24k, Oversize 100k, or Oversize 250k options are not available you will have toselect Custom and insert the proper dimensions.

a. 24k = 24 x 34b. 100k = 48 x 30c. 250k = 24 x 34

13) Print the map, trim any excess paper, and roll up the map with their map request form. Out of paper? 14) Email the patron to let them know that their map request is ready for pickup.

Name: _________________________ Date requested: ______________________

Email: ______________@txstate.edu Phone: ______________________________

How to locate USGS topographic map names (please do not request maps by location) Find the map in the Government Information map collection, search for the map name on the US Geological Survey website (http://store.usgs.gov, Map Locator link), or ask the Government Information staff for help.

Map scale options:

24K (1:24,000, also known as 7.5 minute) – Smallest area (< 64 square miles), greatest detail 100K (1:100,000, including 30 x 60 minute) – Larger area (~2000 square miles), less detail 250K (1:250,000, 1o latitude x 2o longitude) – Largest area (> 6000 square miles), least detail

Map Scale Year/Edition USGS Topographic Map Name(s)

Optional 1:24,000 Scale only (Please check one. If box is unchecked a traditional topographic map will be printed.)

___ 24K TRADITIONAL - (mostly older editions before 1990) includes vegetative cover & contours ___ 24K SATELLITE OVERLAY - (if available) more recent, contours are obscured by imagery

Date needed _______________ (you will receive a “ready for pick up” email, usually within 24 hours)

Map Request Policy: The map printing service is provided by the Alkek Library’s Government Information unit in support of curriculum and research needs of Texas State University students, faculty, and staff. As such, the unit will print maps requested by current Texas State University students, faculty, or staff.

Requests should be submitted via the Map Request form (also available in online format in on the Alkek Library website). We ask that requests be limited to 10/request. However, special permission for a larger number of requests may be granted by a Government Information staff member – contact the Unit (245-3686 or govdocs@txstate.edu) for further assistance with large requests. Typical map requests are available within 24 hours of request submission.

This policy is subject to revision.

U.S./Texas Topographic Map Request Form For help with your request, please call (512.245.3686) or email (govdocs@txstate.edu)

How to Find the Correct Topographic Map The United States Geological Survey (USGS) produces topographic maps of the United States. Topographic maps show the relief of the land surface by denoting elevation and depression via contour lines. Topographic maps are usually produced in these scales:

• 24K (1:24,000, also known as 7.5 minute) – Smallest area (< 64 square miles), greatest detail • 100K (1:100,000, including 30 x 60 minute) – Larger area (~2000 square miles), less detail • 250K (1:250,000, 1o latitude x 2o longitude) – Largest area (> 6000 square miles), least detail

USGS 7.5 minute quadrangles are maps representing an area of 7.5 minutes of latitude by 7.5 minutes of longitude. The smaller the scale, the more details included. Topographic maps are named for a prominent cultural feature, such as a city, that is found on the map. The map name and date of publication are located in the lower right hand corner of the map. Names of adjacent quadrangles often will be located on the sides and corners of the map. USGS topographic map indexes Two recommended resources for finding the correct U.S. topographic maps are the USGS Map Locator (online resource) and the Texas: Index to Topographic and other Map Coverage (print resource). Use these resources to find the official name and the scale of the map you need. USGS Map Locator http://tinyurl.com/a6pz9c You can search the Map Locator by address, location, or topographical map name. Clicking on the resulting "pink pushpin" reveals the various scales available for a given location, official map names, dates of publications, and download options. Click the link with the file size to download the map for a better preview.

Texas: Index to Topographic and other Map Coverage. Gov Info, U.S. Documents, Map Cases, Floor 4 Call Number: I 19.41/6-3:T 31/ 1991 The print indexes to the map collection are located on the table by the map cases on the 4th floor of the library.

Plotter Printer Paper Replacement Instructions

1. Before doing anything, cut damaged paper off new roll with large paper cutter.

2. Open menu on plotter display, select Paper menu and Load roll

3. Open window, unlock and remove roll

4. Take blue disk and empty paper roll off the bar

5. Put new paper on the bar so it rolls “off the top” with blue disk to your left. The blue

disk will be on the left side of the printer when you replace it.

6. Replace the blue disk, lock it and put the roll back in the printer

7. Pull out 6 ft. of paper (be careful … it will try to roll back up)

8. Feed paper over the black roller with ridges

9. Line up right edge of paper with the guideline

10. Lock on the right and close the window

11. No buttons are necessary at this point … just wait for prompt

12. Select paper

Bond coated OK

Roll length unknown OK

13. Wind excess media by turning roll gently and press OK. Note: the locking mechanism is

very easy to accidently unlock when winding excess, so one should try to avoid touching

the lock/unlock when winding.

Paper roll

Paper rolls over the top when placed in the printer