PLOTTER AND PRINTER REQUIREMENTS TO PORTRAY GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM 
VISUALIZATIONS 
Gregory J. 
U. S. Geological 
Wisconsin USA 
Madison, 
Allord 
Survey 
KEY WORDS: Cartography, Graphics, Mapping, Plotter, Technology, Visualization 
ABSTRACT: Most graphics for visualization of data from Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are 
still plotted or imaged on paper and film media. These images, often in color, are required to satisfy 
needs varying from intermediate plots for data verification and review to printed final documents 
distributed to thousands of customers. These documents must accurately show GIS data. Visualizations 
are also required to aid data checking and verification, intermediate and final reviews, preliminary 
cartographic design checking, and as final cartographic products. Many GIS sites use plotters selected 
and installed on the basis of technology that is readily available rather than devices installed explicitly 
to support the data used in the GIS or to correctly convey the design and colors of thematic maps. 
However, the characteristics of plotters, printers, imagesetters, and offset lithography must be 
considered when producing a product from a GIS data set and the selected hardware also must support 
the defined, known data standards in the GIS. This paper presents a discussion of the resolution 
thresholds and characteristics of devices necessary to visualize GIS data. 
U. S. Geological Survey plotted or printed maps 
and images are often the visual culmination of 
hydrologic projects using Geographic Information 
System (GIS), satellite interpretation, or 
photogrammetry technologies. Sooner or later in a 
project, plotters, imagesetters, or printers often 
are used in support of a GIS project. Paper and 
film products produced by a GIS and other digital 
imaging systems must meet several requirements 
to properly support the visualizations of data. 
These factors based on the resolution and spatial 
accuracy of the data or imagery include: 
dimensional stability; plotter accuracy; 
accessibility; color integrity; plot generation 
speed, accurate thematic design rendition; 
customer requirements; timeliness; ease of use; 
product life cycle; and plotting device reliability. 
There is no great difference in the concept of 
preparing data for visualization on a plotter 
versus printing the final data. The concepts for 
both are comparable but each method can serve to 
support different project needs. The goal is 
obtaining the best possible product to meet those 
needs. 
The cartography technology assessment project of 
the U. S. Geological Survey, Office of Water 
Information supports assessment and innovation of 
new technologies applied to bridge spatial and 
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hydrologic analysis with thematic cartography and 
information distribution. One purpose of this 
project is to assess and document the required 
capability and precision of a variety of plotters 
and imaging systems necessary to maintain the 
data integrity and accuracy of hydrologic study 
data, including data products such as thematic 
maps and raster images. The plotter and imaging 
accuracy includes positional accuracy as well as 
gray scale and color capabilities. 
The project assesses and documents factors, in 
addition to the required spatial quality, that 
influence the selection of plotting or printing 
technologies used in typical GIS projects. 
Examples of other factors that affect plotter or 
imagesetter selection include: finishing and final 
size of plots; performance and reliability; plotter 
speed and sustained plot rate; support for specific 
substrates of plotter media; and cost per plot. The 
project currently is compiling comparisons of a 
variety of plotters and printers to more fully 
define the ability of devices to properly maintain 
the original thematic cartographic design or 
spatial data details, especially for raster data. 
The range of colors and resolutions affect the 
design choices for thematic cartography. The 
range of colors available on higher resolution, 24- 
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