Access Questions

Do I need to register to use MapSherpa?

No, you don’t need to register and set up a user account however, the benefits of registration  include retaining your user profile information as well as  saving maps you have created for access at a later date.  In the future a user account will allow you to share your maps with others.

Pricing Questions

Can I make maps online for free?

Yes you can.   You only pay when you add maps to your cart and complete the checkout process.

How do I pay for my maps?

We accept Visa and MasterCard for easy online payments.

How long does it take for me to get my map?

If you are ordering a digital product, once your payment transaction is complete, you will receive notice that your file is available for download.  This download will remain in place for 48 hours for registered users.

We typically turn around printing of paper map orders in two business days and you can expect delivery of your order within 7 business days.

How does the bulk purchase model work?

Contact us through our Feedback Form or call us at 1-877-560-8323. Once we have an understanding of your requirements we can make special arrangements for your order.

Data Questions

What is the source of MapSherpa data?

The Canadian topographic information is compiled from the Government of Canada Natural Resources Canada topographic database and GeoBase resources.  The premium road network data is licensed through  NAVTEQ(tm).

How current is the map information?

MapSherpa regularly updates its maps with the latest data available from each source.  The road network data provided by NAVTEQ is updated on a regular basis keeping this critical information very current.  Other data is  updated less frequently but in most cases, it doesn’t change too rapidly.

What happens to the annotation data I add to my map?

If you have a user account, your annotation data will be securely stored in our databases (only you have access to it) and will be available for your future use.

If you are not registered but are creating a map, your annotation data will be discarded when you leave MapSherpa.

Map Creation

How much area does each map cover?

If you mean floor space – maps come in two sizes 8 ½” x 11” and 24” x 36”.  If you mean area on the globe, our data extends across the entire country and as far north as Canada has mapped the topography.  You pick the amount of area you want covered when you create the map.

What map scales are available?

MapSherpa maps range in scale from 1:55 million to 1:3500. Each zoom level increases by a factor of two as it becomes larger.

Do my maps come with a symbol legend?

Depending on the template you choose, you can include a legend with your map.  It will contain all the symbols represented on your base map (custom feature do not yet get added to the map’s legend).  In the future, the legend will be dependent on the specific area you are mapping.

I use a GPS for navigation. Will it work with your maps?

Not yet but we do expect to enhance the service to support the addition of maps to your GPS device and the ability to upload collected GPS data to your MapSherpa map.

How can I find the exact area I want printed on my map?

The search function in the map creation window allows you to pinpoint a particular location by feature name (ie, city, geographic feature, street name, etc.).

Why does my map coverage change when I change templates?

MapSherpa approaches map creation by showing you the extent of your map coverage in the map window.  By this we mean the area that will be covered using the particular map template you have selected.    If you switch between templates, you will see the extent of your map will change depending on the area available for the map on the page (for example, there is a difference in extent if you switch between the Contemporary Landscape pdf template and the Traditional Landscape pdf template because part of the Traditional page is utilized for the legend.

Can I save my map and come back to them later?

Yes. If you have set up a user account, you can save multiple maps and return later to either edit them  or direct them to your  cart for purchase.

Printing

Digital pdf documents downloaded to your computer can be printed on any home or business printer.  We recommend a colour printer for best results.

When you order a poster sized map, we engage the services of our partner World of Maps, a company specializing in map printing and shipment for the past 15 years.  World of Maps utilizes HP large format printers and UV resistant HP Vivera pigment inks that are both water resistant and fade-resistant. World of Maps also has the ability to print on regular and plasticized paper.

Once printed, World of Maps arranges for shipment through Canada Post.  Both you and MapSherpa are notified when your order enters the Canada Post system. If you have any questions about the status of your order, you can contact us at 1-877-560-8323.

Distribution

MapSherpa’s terms and conditions stipulate that any maps you produce are for your personal use only.  If you create a map and wish to distribute to others please contact us at 1-877-560-8323 to make special arrangements.

eCommerce Questions

How safe is my information when I save or buy a map?

MapSherpa recognizes the importance of protecting your personal information and has been designed and constructed to ensure that what information we do collect will be secure.

What do we collect?

• email address so that we can identify your user account
• name and mailing address if you want to make a purchase so that we can send you your products

Any information we collect is kept strictly confidential.  We use it solely to support your use of MapSherpa and do not share your personal data except with our printing partner in order to fulfill your print order.

What about my credit card information?

MapSherpa uses PayPal to process your purchases.  This means that when you enter credit card information in our cart, the information is actually being collected by PayPal and stored in their state of the art, secure servers.  We do not retain any of this information.  Paypal’s system for protection of credit and identity information is among the best and provides you with a high degree of personal security.

How do I know it is secure for me to enter my credit card information?

When you hit the checkout button in the Cart section of MapSherpa, you enter into a secure environment.  You should see a closed lock or key in the bottom of your web browser which signifies you have entered into a secure area.

The computer industry has developed technology that can scramble sensitive information, such as your credit card number, so that it can be read only by the merchant you are dealing with and your credit card issuer. This ensures that your payment information cannot be read by anyone else or changed along the way.

We use DigiCert Inc. a United States-based certificate authority located in Lindon, Utah.  They are a recognized leader in this field and provide services to businesses in over 115 countries.  If you hover over the lock or key in the bottom of your web browser a dialog window will open stating “Authenticated by DigiCert Inc”.