The production of colored shaded relief is possible by combining a series of printing plates containing different colored inks. A single shaded relief (usually drawn in gray) is the starting point for photo mechanically producing multiple printing plates.
Plate in blue-gray of medium strength for the main tone of the relief shading.
Gray-violet plate as a supplementary relief shading tone.
Light blue plate for hypsometric tints to reinforce shaded slopes and for lake surfaces.
Yellow plate for ground and light toning.
Extremely pale pink plate for rocks and high regions.
Five different color plates for the school map of the Canton of Grisons derived from a single gray-scale relief shading. From "Cartogaphic Relief Presentation" by E. Imhof (1982).
The combination of multiple printing plates in different colors creates a unique map that is known as the "Swiss style".
Section of the school map of the Canton of Grisons - with and without linear elements and rock drawing. Example of a "Swiss style"-map. From "Cartogaphic Relief Presentation" by E. Imhof (1982).
