17. Exporting Maps¶
Goal: Export your layout to a publication-ready file (PDF, PNG, JPEG, GeoPDF) at the right resolution and color profile.
Where to export¶
With a layout open: Share ribbon → Export Layout.
Format choices¶
| Format | Use for |
|---|---|
| Reports, sharing. Vector by default — sharp at any zoom. | |
| GeoPDF | PDF with georeferenced layers (turn on/off in Acrobat). Field use. |
| PNG | Web, slide decks. Transparent background possible. |
| JPEG | Email-friendly, smaller files. Don't use for maps with sharp text — JPEG compresses text artifacts. |
| TIFF / GeoTIFF | Print, GIS reuse, georeferenced raster. |
| SVG | Scalable vector. For web embeds. |
| EPS / AI | Hand off to a designer in Illustrator. |
Default choice
For a portfolio map → PDF, vector. Sharp text, scalable, embeddable.
Resolution (DPI)¶
| Use | DPI |
|---|---|
| Web / monitor | 72–96 |
| Print, normal | 150 |
| Print, professional | 300 |
| Large-format poster | 200–300 (limited by viewing distance) |
Color profiles¶
- RGB — for web and most digital uses.
- CMYK — for offset printing. Convert before sending to a print shop.
Set on the export dialog → Color → CMYK (PDF only).
Vector vs raster output¶
In the export dialog:
- Vector (PDF, SVG, EPS, AI) — text, lines, polygons stay vector → infinitely sharp.
- Raster (PNG, JPEG, TIFF) — flattened pixels → loss when zoomed in.
Some advanced symbology (e.g., complex transparencies) can force certain elements to rasterize even in a "vector" PDF. Pro will warn you in the Advanced tab.
Tips for crisp exports¶
Make exports look great
- PDF, vector, 300 dpi for print.
- PNG, 150–300 dpi, embed at 50% in your portfolio site for retina screens.
- Turn off Compress vector graphics if text appears blurry.
- For huge layouts, expand Tile and Feature options and tile if needed.
Page setup mismatch¶
Make sure your layout's page size matches your target export size before you export. Going from Letter Portrait to Tabloid Landscape after the fact is painful.
Embedded fonts¶
In the export dialog → Embed all document fonts. Without this, your map can render in a wrong font on someone else's machine.
Multi-page exports¶
If your project has multiple layouts, batch export with the Map Series tools (built-in in Pro) or with a Python script:
import arcpy
aprx = arcpy.mp.ArcGISProject("CURRENT")
for layout in aprx.listLayouts():
layout.exportToPDF(f"exports/{layout.name}.pdf", resolution=300)
Web export¶
For interactive web maps, you don't export — you share to ArcGIS Online → see Sharing to ArcGIS Online.
Practice¶
Three exports of one map
Take your finished layout and export:
- PDF, vector, 300 dpi — for print
- PNG, 150 dpi, transparent background — for slides
- JPEG, 90% quality, 96 dpi — for email
Open all three. Compare file sizes and sharpness. Decide which to use when.
→ Next: Sharing to ArcGIS Online.