How Topographic Maps are Made

A step-by-step guide to mapmaking by the TVA.

This informative booklet outlines the multi-step process used by the Tennessee Valley Authority to create lithographed topographic maps. Aerial photographs and surveys are combined into a manuscript, which is then photographed in negative. This image is then transferred to several paint-coated plastic sheets from which a proof is created. This proof goes through a final editing phase before the photo-offset plates are made for each map color. Examples for each plate/color are provided – when assembled via a multi-print process, the map is complete.