Quality and Experience!

Great Smokies Internet is unique in that we are an e-solutions company, and a cartography company. We have experience with the two largest commercial mapping companies in the U.S., the Department of Defense, as well as with city / county mapping. Our experience also includes the design, programming, testing, and site support of geographic information systems (GIS). We can provide for the production of a variety of thematic maps with choices of scales, grids, projections and datums, which may be used for digital applications and / or print publishing. Our method of production initiates in a GIS environment, which allows for the creation of digital product, and the subsequent spin-off of print product. We work with our customers using both cartographic and publishing standards. Our process includes production planning; cartographic production; editorial review and pre-press review for print product.

- Production Planning

Planning is a key part of the production process. We meet with our customers to address such items as: type(s) of maps and / or digital data to be created, attribution for GIS data; horizontal and vertical accuracies; projections; datums; scales (to include level of feature detail), research requirements and sources to be used; print product layouts; feature / graphic specifications; method of indexing, print product spin-offs (such as fold-maps, wall-maps, etc.). It is also at this phase that the production schedule be addressed, including start-end dates for each phase of production starting with research through editorial and then release of final files to the printer. All details need to be covered during this phase in order to: provide accurate estimates, meet production schedules - and keep you as a happy customer. Estimates are provided for approval before beginning cartographic production.

- Cartographic Production

It is stressed that a "pilot area" or small geographic area of cartography coverage (preferably densely populated) be completed and provided for customer review and approval during this phase - before beginning full cartographic production. This is critical for the verification of many of the items addressed in the production planning phase. Upon approval of the "pilot", production is initiated on the full area of cartographic coverage (or program base). Plots or PDFs of the program base are submitted for customer review as scheduled in production planning. Research is applied according to what is supplied by the customer, or our cartographers can perform research and apply it according to customer requirements. When the program base is complete it is supplied for customer cartographic review. The base should also be reviewed from a GIS perspective if digital product is desired. Editorial corrections are then applied to the program base, and we recommend a first and second editorial review of this. Upon final customer approval of the program base, print product spin-off production is initiated. At this time, products such as fold maps are "cut" from the program base, and product specific modifications are applied (such as additions for chamber of commerce maps). Plots or PDFs are again submitted for first and second editorial reviews, including reviews of the indexing. After final edits are applied and approved by editorial, we are ready for the final phase of production.   

- Pre-Press and Prep for the Printer  

It is at this stage that spin-off print products are reviewed for pre-press items such as overprint problems, knock-out issues, etc. A final editorial review is recommended at this phase to inspect the completed configuration of the product  (such as atlas pagination). Printer proofs should be carefully reviewed, and corrections applied as needed. The customer may then verify that final files are ready for press, which we then prepare (along with fonts if needed) and send to the printer.

Are you ready to get started?  Request your free quote online (click here), or you may call us at: (865) 933-3642.