# Your first coloured map Official GBMaps guide for the classic map maker. VectorMaps has a different interface. Source: https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=getting-started Updated: 2026-10-22 A good territory map begins with a few clear names. Give each team, branch or service area its own zone in the legend (also called the key). Click a zone name in the legend to select it, then click inside the shapes on the map that you want to colour for that zone. You can tidy the labels and page layout afterwards. [Watch tutorial video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSoytGAOJg0) Some videos show an earlier layout. The written instructions below describe the current controls; this is a guide, not a video transcript. ![Your first coloured map — current GBMaps controls](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/start.png) The current panel, with its options expanded where useful. Select a numbered circle to read its explanation. ## 1. Select the zone, then click the map ![North team is selected in red in the map legend. Several Yorkshire postcode districts are green. A pointer sits inside the still-white YO17 shape, ready to colour it.](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/example-click-before.png) Click North team’s name in the legend first. Then click inside YO17 on the map itself. The pointer shows the sort of place to click: inside the boundary shape, rather than on a legend colour square or a menu control. ## 2. See the shape change colour ![After the click, YO17 has turned green to match the selected North team zone. The other shapes and the legend remain in place.](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/example-click-after.png) After that click, YO17 belongs to North team and turns green. Continue clicking the map shapes you want in this zone. You only need to select a new legend name when you want to work on a different zone. ## 3. Choose the next zone ![York team is now selected in the legend. Its postcode shapes around York are blue, while the North team territory remains green.](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/example-two-zones.png) Select York team in the legend, then click its shapes on the map. They turn blue; the existing North team shapes remain green. If you click a shape already owned by another zone, you move it into the zone you have selected. ## 1. Start with the names in your key Open START HERE and choose Add New Name. Type a useful name such as North team or Leeds depot. The entry appears in the map key as you type. Add one entry for each territory you want people to recognise. The name is a label for your territory; it does not search for or select a place automatically. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=getting-started#getting-started--names) ## 2. Choose the territory you are working on Click the zone name in the legend on the map, for example North team. Its name is highlighted to show it is selected. Now move your pointer onto the map itself and click inside each postcode or county shape that belongs to North team. Each shape takes that zone’s colour. Click a different zone name in the legend before colouring the shapes for your next team. You can also select a zone through its name box in START HERE. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=getting-started#getting-started--select) ## 3. Give each territory a clear colour Click its colour square to open the palette. Choosing a colour changes that entry and the polygons already assigned to it. Pick colours that remain easy to tell apart when the map is printed. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=getting-started#getting-started--colour) ## 4. Tidy the map, then save it Use Map details to reduce clutter, Map Titles to describe the job and Key Settings to arrange the key. Check Print View before exporting. Save the editable map as well as downloading the finished image; the editable copy is what you will reopen to change the territories. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=getting-started#getting-started--tidy) ## 5. Choose the help that suits you Blue question marks open the illustrated guide for a control. Map assistant can answer a question, show a control or propose supported edits. You can speak or attach a reference file. On a phone, start with Tools or Speak; the same features are available in a compact layout. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=getting-started#getting-started--help-options) ### What this looks like Current GBMaps controls with example maps and account details. Choose View larger to see the details. ![Find this tool in the menu — GBMaps controls](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/help-20261022-menu-startHere.png?v=1792654464) [**Find this tool in the menu**](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=getting-started#getting-started--names) The current menu entry. Expand its options as described in the numbered instructions; extra controls appear when an item or data has been added. ## Related guides - [Postcode areas, districts & sectors explained](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=postcode-guide) - [START HERE: names, colours & territories](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=colouring) - [Move, zoom & frame the map](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=map-gestures) - [Save, open & keep a separate copy](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=save) - [How to create a postcode sales territory map](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=territory-recipe) - [Color a whole state; style its border and name](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-state-levels) - [USA county maps: choose a state](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-county-maps)