# Opening and saving a map in composer

* Once you are happy with the scale and position, click **Project> New Print Composer**.

<figure><img src="/files/GLaLJgx8MYid9HkMT1bR" alt="New print composer in the project menu"><figcaption><p>New print composer in the project menu</p></figcaption></figure>

* A window will open asking for an ID/Title, however it is not required. Click **OK**.
* A new window will open showing a blank page. To insert the map from QGIS click on **‘Add new map’** (see below).

Left click and then drag a rectangle to select the dimension of the added map. Once added the position of the map within the frame can be adjusted by selecting **‘Move item content’** (see below).

<figure><img src="/files/xXsZ8YPzLaF0j766d07u" alt="Move item content (top) and  Add new map (bottom) buttons in the toolbar"><figcaption><p>Move item content (top) and Add new map (bottom) buttons in the toolbar</p></figcaption></figure>

* Click **Item Properties** on the task bar on the right. The specific scale can be selected here, and if you scroll down there are several other options including **Position and Size**. Here the dimensions of the map can be adjusted in millimetres.

Careful, as when altering the position and size the scale will also change.

<figure><img src="/files/geEPFprO3QMFkWO5sAbk" alt="Item properties window showing 17,000 scaler selected"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
*OS VectorMap District is most useful to design a map within scales of 1:15 000-1:30 000, for this map of Southampton the selected scale is 1:17 000.*
{% endhint %}

* Once you are happy with the image you can export the map as an image or a PDF by selecting

**‘Export as image’** or **‘Export as PDF’** respectively (see below). And save within an appropriate folder.

<figure><img src="/files/lCAyNufKiW9eFc13w7eQ" alt="Export as image (left) and Export as PDF (right) buttons in the toolbar"><figcaption><p>Export as image (left) and Export as PDF (right) buttons in the toolbar</p></figcaption></figure>

* Your final JPEG image should looks similar to this:

<figure><img src="/files/2AuaqBddbGqwJR6TDKow" alt="Final JPEG image showing map data"><figcaption><p>Final JPEG image rendered showing map data</p></figcaption></figure>


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