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    Home » Home Decorating » DIY Home Decor

    Published: Jan 30, 2015 · Modified: Jan 14, 2023 by Rachel

    DIY Map Art for the Wall

    This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
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    On today’s post, I am sharing both a World Map Art project and the silhouette cut files for free! This wall art went in my son’s bedroom and can be made in any color combination.

    DIY World map wall art on gray wall with blue sectioned pieces with white map silhouette.

    I just had to give my son a homemade gift for Christmas for his bedroom. We are going bold and graphic in there so this World Map Wall Art was perfect. Map art is trendy, but he is really into maps and globes right now. As a mama, that makes me so proud! This is also a great idea for over a homework station while they study.

    Newspaper with freshly painted navy blue wood square on top next to aluminum foil covered with paint.

    First, I started off with a sheet of plywood that my husband cut into 12″ x 12″ squares, 6 of them in total. I primed and painted them blue for the ocean. I painted the sides blue as well.

    Photoshop design of world map divided into 6 sections.

    I created a world map and sized it to the appropriate measurements in Photoshop and chopped it up into six quadrants.

    Download Silhouette Cut Files:

    North America (12x12in)

    South America (12x12in)

    Europe (12x12in)

    Africa (12x12in)

    Asia (12x12in)

    Australia and Indonesia (12x12in)

    Files are for personal use only and not to be used in the production or distribution of items/services for profit. Any linkbacks must point to this post and not directly to the file download. If you don’t have a cutting machine, that’s ok because:

    >>If you would like the PDF version, scroll to the bottom of this post!<<

    Peeled away vinyl stencil of world map section applied to blue wooden square over newspaper.

    I cut the world map out using my silhouette and vinyl sheets. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough white vinyl so I did it in brown. I positioned each quadrant as shown above, by gently peeling, rolling under, and pressing the vinyl down.

    White paint being applied with roller onto blue square with vinyl stencil on top of newspaper.

    After all the vinyl was properly positioned, I painted the white continents with a roller.

    Peeling away vinyl stencil of world map section applied to blue wooden square over newspaper.

    After 2 coats, I peeled the vinyl off gently.

    DIY blue and white sectioned world map art on gray wall in boy's room.

    To hang the map art, we used velcro command strips. One side attached to the wall and the opposite side attached to the board. Then they velcro together. Now I really need some curtains for that boy’s room. I would love to hear if you have a project using these cut files. I would love to see it!

    DIY blue and white sectioned world map art on gray wall in boy's room.

    Updated: Due to requests for the wall map art files, I have decided to add the files as a PDF format in addition to the cutting files (links to those are mid post). Simply right click and save as. These files are 12×12 inches which is an odd printer size. If you are unable to print them at home, I have checked with stores such as Staples, Office Depot, and UPS and you can print them as 12×12 for around $5 or less. Simply save them to a thumb drive or other portable storage device. In the case of Staples, I know you can upload the files to their website and ask for in-store pick-up. They do NOT need to be printed in photo quality since they are only black and white line drawings.

    PDF File- Africa

    PDF File – Asia

    PDF File – Australia

    PDF File – North America

    PDF File – South America

    PDF File – Europe

    Have a great day!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. anusha veligeti says

      August 08, 2020 at 8:00 am

      5 stars
      Hi Rachel, I really loved this and had this pinned for over a year. And finally its time that I got started on this 🙂 I painted my sheets in wine color that goes with the other decor in my house but so confused on how to proceed further. I do not have a silhouette but will go with pdf. What are the different mediums I can print the pdf on? Can I print them on Vinyl sheets? Sorry for the basic questions but I have to idea. Can you please help?

      Reply
      • Rachel says

        August 11, 2020 at 12:49 pm

        Yes, you can print it on any material you like. I would probably just print it on adhesive paper/removeable sticker paper if you still want to use it as a stencil with a paint roller. Printable laminate sheets also work well. Otherwise, you can trace it and hand paint it, which I have seen others do. If you don’t have a 12×12 capable printer, a print shop can take the pdf files and print them for you.

        Reply
    2. Ruth Lackey says

      June 05, 2016 at 6:58 pm

      5 stars
      This is awesome. My adult grand daughter has been wanting me to make a world map for her and I wasn’t sure just what I wanted to do. This is it. Thanks so much

      Reply
    3. Ashley says

      December 29, 2015 at 5:30 pm

      5 stars
      How does the vinyl come in to play? Did you have this printed on vinyl? I’m confused.

      Ashley

      Reply
      • Rachel says

        December 29, 2015 at 8:19 pm

        I can where the confusion is. The vinyl is what I used to make a stencil, basically. It has an adhesive backing that will stick to the wood and is easy to peel off (without pulling the blue paint) when the project is finished. I cut the vinyl myself with a silhouette cameo machine. However, not everyone one of those available to them and that is probably where the confusion is from. If that isn’t available to you, an alternative method is to print the PDF files on a different medium (12×12) or take the files to a print shop and have them printed on an appropriate medium for stencils. Hope that clears it up and if you have any other questions, feel free.

        Reply
    4. Kristi says

      November 02, 2015 at 11:10 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks so much for sharing! My son has decided he wants to go into Missionary work. I am creating a piece with this that we will hang in our home. We will mark each area of the world that he visits over the years. Hopefully it will help me feel like the world isn’t SUCH a huge place. <3

      Reply
      • Rachel says

        November 04, 2015 at 11:11 pm

        That is a great idea! I am sure you are so proud of him and it shows!

        Reply
    5. Pili says

      September 14, 2015 at 7:25 am

      5 stars
      Wow, that wall art is absolutely awesome!! I love maps so I’ll pin it for later, thanks for sharing!!

      Reply
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