The Frome-based map and large-format printing specialist can actually trace its heritage all the way back to 1850, but it’s ten years on 30 May since the current business was established.

The firm is now jointly owned by estate of late publishing mogul Felix Dennis and key customer Ordnance Survey.

Managing director Steve Burry said the company was looking forward to celebrating the milestone, with a number of celebrations planned involving employees and customers.

Map enthusiasts also have a chance to win a tour of the factory as part of the firm’s celebrations.

Burry told Printweek that the firm worked for all the main large-format map makers, including government agencies.

It typically produces more than 2m maps a year, and also provides stockholding and fulfilment services. Alongside its core UK customer base it also produces work for clients in other parts of Europe, and recently added a new customer from the USA.

“The magic ingredient is the staff. They make it look easy but it’s an acquired skill to produce maps accurately and consistently,” he said.

“A good number of people still love maps and like looking at them – and they can serve a really critical purpose,” he added.

“I do believe that a printed map does allow for the user to have a greater spatial awareness, when compared to the user view on the comparatively smaller screen of a mobile device.”

Most of the firm’s work is litho printed, but it also offers short-run large-format digital production and custom-made personalised maps. The typical run length is around 2,000 but special projects can result in runs of tens of thousands. Specialist folding know-how is an essential part of production.

Dennis Maps prints onto a variety of specialist map and synthetic papers for use in extreme environments, and also produces encapsulated maps, which Burry said was a tricky process in itself.

Using its six-colour Koenig & Bauer Rapida 162a it also offers a trade large-format litho printing service.  

Sustainability is a priority the firm and Burry said carbon emissions were measure in great detail.

“All of our paper and cover board is FSC sourced and we carbon balance all of our paper and cover board too, using schemes through either the World Land Trust or ClimatePartner.”

It also has a solar panel installation on the roof of its 3,065sqm factory, which generates around 35% of its power requirements.

The business employs 27 and has sales of £3.6m.

“We love doing what we do, you can get lost in the detail of a map,” he stated.

“It’s very different to the world of general print. I think we are fortunate to be in our niche.”

The firm’s accreditations include ISOs 14001, 9001, 45001 and 27001, as well as Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus.