How to Print D&D Battle Maps on A4 Tiles (1-Inch Grid Guide)

The Trick: Print at Exact 1-Inch Scale

D&D battle maps live or die by scale: 1 inch = 1 square = 5 feet. Print even 5% off and miniatures no longer fit the grid. Tiled A4 printing nails this — you just have to set the size by measurement, not by “number of pages”.

Step-by-Step: Scale-Accurate Battle Maps

  1. Get a gridded map. Free sources like Dyson Logos’ cartography archive publish hundreds of free battle maps with square grids baked in.
  2. Count the squares. A 24×30-square map must print at exactly 24×30 inches (61 × 76 cm).
  3. Set exact size in Posteriza: in the Size tab of Posteriza, enter the final dimensions in inches/cm directly instead of picking rows/columns. The software computes the tile grid for you.
  4. Print a 1-square test: print one tile, measure a single grid square with a ruler. It must be exactly 1 inch (2.54 cm). If not, your printer dialog is scaling — set it to 100% (see common fixes).
  5. Print, trim, and tape — use removable tape or repositionable spray, not permanent glue: you will want to re-tile maps for the next session. Full method in our assembly guide.

Paper Choice for Maps That Survive Game Night

Regular copy paper goes soggy under soda condensation and tears when minis slide. Use 160–200 gsm cardstock or laminate the finished map — dry-erase markers then work on it, and you can reuse the map forever. Stock cardstock and laminate pouches here.

Storing and Reusing Maps

  • Roll (do not fold) finished maps; secure with a rubber band.
  • Label each roll with the adventure name and grid size.
  • Keep a “generic” set: tavern, forest clearing, dungeon corridor — reprinted once, used for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I print a battle map at the correct scale?

Set the final size by measurement (1 inch per grid square) in Posteriza’s Size tab, print a one-square test, and measure it with a ruler before committing to the full job.

My miniatures don’t fit the squares. What went wrong?

Your printer dialog scaled the pages. Set scaling to 100% / “Actual size” and reprint the test square.

What paper is best for battle maps?

160–200 gsm cardstock, laminated if you want dry-erase reuse. Regular copy paper tears too easily.

Should I glue or tape map tiles?

Tape (or repositionable spray) — you’ll want to disassemble and store maps between sessions.

Where can I get free battle maps?

Dyson Logos and similar cartographers publish large free archives of gridded maps designed for print.

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