Where are you? Where are you going? Where do you want to be?

Maps can reveal so much—about a place, an experience, and even about you. It’s not just a street corner or an old church, it’s what happened there and what you have experienced. It’s memory and history, discovery and loss. Maps are how we find our way through a new town but also how we discover the place we thought we knew. A good map design can make a person feel more connected to a place and can encourage the desire to explore.

Steady Hand Maps is the brainchild of crazed mapmaker, Jen Urso, specializing in custom, hand drawn paper maps and map design that reveals stuff you never even knew you wanted to know about your place.

Where do you want to go?

What kind of experience do you want to have?

Maybe you don’t know, and that’s the thrill of looking at a paper map. It’s all the possibilities that can unfold.

More on who's behind Steady Hand Maps
Mini Gift Map

Imagine giving your loved one a unique, personalized paper map commemorating your anniversary, the location where you first met or your first home! Mini gift maps like this one make a great, one-of-a-kind gift. Starting at only $200, we'll pick a focal point, talk about some key details and within a week you'll have a special gift without any worries about shipping or supply chains. I provide you with high-res files to print or I can provide an archival paper print for a small extra fee.

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Your Ultimate Gift Map

Put a life together in a customized, hand drawn paper map! We’ll work together to define the location you want to feature and 8-10 special focal points, like in this example. This is a great, one-of-a-kind anniversary gift, engagement gift, birthday gift or other special occasion gift. I can print your map for a small extra fee up to 13"x19" or coordinate quality printing of your map.

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Mapping Places I’ve Never Been

Mapping Places I’ve Never Been

June 20, 2023

I’m often mapping places I’ve never been. Voyages used to be only about mapping. So how do you map a place you’ve never even seen in person?

Custom City Maps

Make your city stand out with a custom city map highlighting the best, the weirdest, the most unique and the most interesting parts about your town.

Personalized Paper Map Gifts

A personalized map gift is one of the best ways you can share and revisit those memories together. A personalized map design puts all the pieces together.

Conceptual Map Illustration

A map isn’t always a way to find an address or locate a restaurant. There are so many ways of finding ourselves and figuring out how the world around us is situated.

SHMaps Testimonials

Our Latest Work

Check out some of my favorite custom map design projects.

Roosevelt Row Map

Roosevelt Row Map

Phoenix Cactus Map

Phoenix Cactus Map

Mini Gift Maps

Mini Gift Maps

Harris Point Chicago – Little Italy Map

Harris Point Chicago – Little Italy Map

SHMap SHtore

Buy some SHMaps!

Steady Hand Maps Reviews

See what clients and customers think about my work

Absolutely Splendid

Rated 5 out of 5
September 20, 2023

I came across Jen via the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) article about hand drawn maps. Everything about her style and artistic choices instantly resonated with me. I’d been looking to buy or commission a piece of art for my husband for his birthday or our anniversary and I knew right away this was it.

I reached out to Jen via her website. I was delighted when she responded and we set up a time to discuss the process, price, size, and timeline. After that initial conversation, which was fabulous, I went to work detailing all the things I wanted to include on the map. I chose major events starting with the first date through the birth and first two years with our son. Jen and I talked through the events and imagery in detail to make sure we were aligned. I think we connected via phone three times and the rest we did via detailed email (which worked well for me). The process took a while but only because I needed to pause briefly, which was totally ok with Jen. I liked how she listened to what I wanted and the story behind each choice. If there was any ambiguity, she brought it up so we could discuss it. I appreciated the care she took in asking questions and getting the details right.

The initial proof blew me away. It was all there. After my first review, the edits and suggestions I had Jen quickly incorporated. The colored proof stopped me in my tracks and I’m glad I opted for that addition – Jen had captured nuances and brought everything to life. This truly was an amazing experience. My husband was left speechless by the finished piece. I love the fact our son will be able to see and know our story through this piece of exceptional art.

Andrew

Personal and Perfect

Rated 5 out of 5
August 1, 2023

Jen made a map celebrating my mother’s 70th birthday. The detail and thoughtful design were a beautiful representation of my mom’s life. It has become a staple piece in her house and brings back so many wonderful memories.

Monica Sauer

50th BDay Map

Rated 5 out of 5
April 17, 2023

I’m incredibly grateful for Jen and her creativity. She brought to life an incredible birthday gift for my brother — a customize map of his living and golfing life. It was special. Jen was able to take some of my half-baked ideas and create an artistic and beautiful story.

Alex Kuperman

Unique Wedding Gift

Rated 5 out of 5
February 14, 2023

I read about Jen’s maps on a WSJ article https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-paper-map-sales-are-booming-11674164824

I contacted Jen and in less than a month, had a beautiful wedding gift to give to a friend.

Jen is easy to work with. She was able to create something unique and interesting in a quick turnaround time frame.

I recommend you check out her offers.

Margaret

Happy Wife, Happy Life!

Rated 5 out of 5
February 12, 2023

My wife was blown away with the level of detail and personal information that was included in the relationship map that Jen drew for my 15 year anniversary. Jen was great to work with. Quick turnarounds and delivered an awesome product. I would absolutely recommend her!

Daniel Nagel

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