Print Layouts and Map Frames
Included in this tutorial:
Creating a new print layout
Adding a map frame
Adding map surrounds
Exporting a map
Software version in examples: QGIS-LTR 3.34.14-Prizren (MacOS)
Tutorial Data: The tutorial includes demonstration with sample data available here.
Credits: Ruju Joshi (2025)
This tutorial covers how to create a print layout, add map surrounds, and export it from QGIS.
Creating a New Print Layout
creating a new layout
To insert a new map layout in QGIS, go to Project > New Print Layout from the main menu ribbon at the top of your screen. You could also find it in the project toolbar or using command+P. This will open a dialog prompting you to name the new layout. After naming the layout, click OK, and a new layout window will open.
TIP: You can access multiple layouts created under one project from Project > Layouts or Project > Layout Manager.
Alternatively, you can customize the layout size by selecting the Item Properties > Page option in the layout window's Layout menu. From there, you can set a specific page size, such as 8.5 x 11 inches (portrait), or choose from various preset sizes.
In QGIS, layout options can be customized freely, allowing more control over the layout size and appearance compared to default settings.
TIP: You can also resize content, add margins etc. from the Layout Settings.
Adding a Map Frame
Within the Print Layout, you can add a map frame from the toolbar (on the left side of the image below). You can select the reference map from Layout > General Settings > Reference Map in the layout’s window.
the Add Map tool
Click and drag a rectangle to locate the map frame within the layout.
adding a map frame to the layout
When you select the map‘s frame, you can move it on the layout page to place it as desired. You can resize, scale and edit it from its Item Properties in the Layout Panel.
Adding Map Surrounds
adding map elements like labels, a scale bar, legend, north arrow and managing their properties
You can add labels using “add label” from the toolbox on the left side of the image above. You can use this to add titles, captions, map descriptions, analysis etc. on the layout. Once you place the label holder at your desired location, you can edit the text, font styles, text alignment and placement etc. from the Item Properties in the Layout Panel.
Similarly, you can add the map surrounds including a scale bar, legend, and north arrow from the toolbox (on the left side of the screen in our image) to compose your map layout. You can explore different ways to manage their properties from the Item Properties in the Layout Panel. It includes changing the layer names, excluding layers that are not visible on the map, scale bar segments and units and so on.
Exporting a Map
There are two ways to export the map. First, from Layout > Export as Image/SVG/PDF in the main menu ribbon at the top of the screen. Or, second, from the Layout Toolbar.
exporting a map layout