Summary
A great deal of thematic map creation has to be performed prior to the actual
map production process. Clarifications and decisions have to be made concerning the
source data, scale, content and design of the map, regarding the map projection and
the arrangement of the map itself and its elements. The results of such preliminary
works typically are one or more map and layout sketches which can support the actual
map production process. If these preliminary works are conducted completely and
thoroughly, many surprises during production can be avoided and the efficiency of
the work can be increased.