How to Make Pin Travel Map for Cheap

I've seen a pin travel map all over Pinterest for years, but I have yet to find any clear instructions on how to actually make it.  I'm sure that you have seen it too and probably pinned it.  The concept is an framed open-faced map of the world or the United States that you stick map pins into, in order to display your travels.  Due to popular demand, a few people have started to sell these maps on Etsy for up to $205.  I couldn't stomach the cost, so I decided to make my own map.  It was a quick, easy process, and I love how it turned out!  I'm going to share with you how I made my map for about a quarter of the sale price.

This map has become a focal point in our home.  I often find myself just gazing at our map reminiscing about places we've been and dreaming about places I'd like to visit.  When the word "vacation" arises in my house, my husband and I walk straight over to the map to plan our next adventure.  Also, when we have visitors, they often gravitate towards the map and our travels become a topic of conversation.  It seems like all our visitors want their own map, as well. 

A close-up of the map is below.  I used different color pins to represent the travels of different people in our family.  Blue pins represent my husband, yellow pins represent me, and green pins represents both of us.  There are mostly green pins in Florida because we moved to Florida after we got married.  I fully intend to start using a new color after we start a family.

You will need:

• Map - $12.99 
• I purchased an earth-toned political poster map of the United States from http://www.nationalgeographic.com/.  This map is more beautiful and cheaper than anything I could find in stores.  They also offer world maps, if you are a world traveler.
• Frame without Glass - $25.00 
• I'm going to let you in on a secret.  In the back of the framing section in Hobby Lobby, there is always a frame or two that are on clearance because someone broke their glass.
• Spray on Glue - $5.99
• I used Aleene's, but any brand will do.
• Large Cardboard/Foam Presentation Board - $6.99
• I'm referencing the presentation boards that you used to proudly present science projects in elementary school.  The middle section of the presentation board must be as large as your map; you will not need to foldable wings for this project.
• Map pins - $5.79
• Available at office stores (Staples, Office Depot, Office Max).
• Smoothing tools
• Anything clean with a flat edge that you can find around your house will work.  I used spackle knifes, and they worked wonderfully.

The total cost is $56.76 for this project.  That is about a quarter of the price that pin travel maps are being sold for on Etsy!


Assembly Instructions:

1.  Cut the presentation board to fit firmly inside of the back of your frame.  Use the middle section of the presentation board only, not the foldable wings.  You do not want a large crease running through the middle of your map.

2.  Glue the map to the presentation board.  First, spray glue onto one corner of the presentation board and place one corner of the map on top.  Smooth that corner to eliminate any bubbles.  Ensure that your map will lay squarely on top of your cardboard before moving on; adjust if necessary. Then, continue to spray small pieces of the cardboard and smooth the map on top, slowly working towards the opposite corner.  Make sure that you have everything at arms reach and take a few deep breaths before you start!

3.  Place map inside of frame.  Check that the map will remain sturdily inside of the frame when you push on it.  You need to ensure that the map will not slide or break under the pressure of inserting map pins.  If the map slides backwards under pressure, add some tape to secure the board to the back of the frame.  Don't worry if the tape isn't pretty.  No one is ever going to see the back of the frame.

4.  Hang the map on the wall, and pin the places you and your family have visited.  I recommend pinning with your family to make it a family moment.