DIRE STRAITS Discography Tube Map: Digital Cartography Print by Mike Bell

Tube Map Print Accuracy & Updates

Every one of my prints is the result of my detailed research, cross-referencing, and design refinement. Each tube map is handcrafted to present the most accurate possible picture of an artist’s recording history, a film’s storyline, or a cultural timeline.

I take pride in the precision behind every connection, date, and credit featured across the collection.

Meticulous Research, Human Process

My research combines album liner notes, musicians' inputs, session archives, fan databases, interviews, and verified public sources to ensure each map is factually sound. However, even the most carefully researched projects can contain minor errors or omissions, especially when dealing with complex discographies and multi-decade histories.

Community Feedback & Collaboration

I actively welcome feedback from fans, collectors, and artists who spot inconsistencies or have new information to share. Each correction helps refine future editions and strengthens the historical accuracy of the maps. Contributors who provide verified updates receive discounts on future orders as a thank-you for their diligence and support.

Commitment to Quality

Accuracy isn’t just a promise, it’s part of the creative process. Every update and reprint reflects a commitment to truth, design integrity, and respect for the music, movie, and other stories represented.

I value the relationship with my customers and the collaboration that ensures these works continue to evolve and stay relevant.

I will always strive to combine artistic expression with documentary accuracy, celebrating creativity through precision and openness.

I supply all my art prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag Ultra Smooth giclée 302 gsm paper art prints in three pre-determined standard A-sizes, with framed or unframed options across sizes:

A3 PRINT | 11.7" x 16.5" - 30cm x 42cm  / A2 PRINT | 16.5" x 23.4" - 42cm x 60cm / A1 PRINT | 23.4" x 33.1" - 60cm x 84cm

The Gallery Standard: Tube Map Print Framing

Museum-Grade Presentation

My framed tube map prints are unique "ready-to-hang" fan gifts. I don't use plastic frames or cheap laminate; I use FSC®-certified solid wood crafted in Germany.

• Precision Finish: 16mm wide, 25mm deep profile for a sleek, modern gallery look.
• Professional Mounting: Each print includes a 1400-micron acid-free white mount (45° bevel cut) to provide depth and protect the paper from touching the glass.
• German Craftsmanship: Quality you can feel, built to last a lifetime.

Premium Glazing & UV Protection

Protecting your art is my priority.

• Standard Sizes: I use edge-ground float glass providing approximately 45% UV protection to prevent fading.
• A1 Statement Prints: For my largest size, I use 3mm premium clear acrylic. It offers the same clarity as glass but is virtually shatterproof during global transit.

The Gold Standard of Paper

I use Hahnemühle Photo Rag Ultra Smooth (305 gsm).

• 100% Alpha Cellulose: This is a premium, acid-free archival paper.
• Ultra-Smooth Texture: Designed to capture the intricate details of my complex music maps with vibrant, deep blacks.

Art with a Conscience (Carbon Neutral)

Your purchase supports the planet as much as it does the arts.

• Carbon Neutral: Produced under certified carbon-neutral processes.
• Supporting Forests: My UK supplier is a member of the Woodland Trust’s carbon capture scheme, and all wood is FSC-certified from responsibly managed forests.

Shipped Safely, Globally: Every framed print is housed in custom-engineered packaging to ensure it arrives in pristine condition, no matter where in the world you are.

PRESERVING YOUR INVESTMENT - Premium Tube Maps Care Guide
Thank you for choosing a Mike Bell Maps Giclee Print. To ensure your artwork remains as vibrant as the day it was printed for the next century, please follow these professional handling guidelines:

1. The "Clean Hands" Rule - Giclee prints are created with archival pigment inks that sit on the surface of the 305 gsm paper. Natural skin oils can transfer to the ink. We recommend washing and drying your hands thoroughly before handling or wearing white cotton "archival" gloves if available.

2. Avoid the "Roll-Back" - If your print arrived in a tube, let it flatten naturally. Lay it on a clean, flat surface and place a few heavy, smooth objects (like books) on the corners. Never roll the print tightly in the opposite direction, as this can "stress" the heavy paper fibres and cause creasing.

3. Framing is Protection - To ensure the 100+ year lightfastness guarantee, we recommend framing your print behind UV-protective glass or acrylic. Always use acid-free mounting materials (like the mounts provided in our framed options) to prevent "paper burn" or yellowing over time.

4. Location Matters - While our inks are gallery-standard, prolonged exposure to direct, harsh sunlight can eventually affect any pigment. For maximum longevity, hang your map in a location that avoids consistent direct afternoon sun and high-humidity environments (like bathrooms).

5. Dusting - If your print is unframed, never use water or cleaning sprays. A soft, dry microfiber cloth or a clean squirrel-hair brush is all that is needed to remove surface dust.

Global Tube Prints, Shorter Map Distance.

World-class art, especially my tube map art prints, shouldn't have to travel halfway around the world to reach your doorstep. By utilising a network of professional and eco-active local fulfilment centres, I ensure your print is produced as close to you as possible, with the least costs and impact on the environment.

Why this matters for you:

• No "Surprise" Costs: Because I print locally (whenever possible), your order is far less likely to cross international borders.
  • That means no hidden tariffs,
  • no customs hold-ups, and
  • predictable pricing for every collector.

• A Greener Choice: I endeavour to ensure that every one of my prints is 100% end-to-end carbon neutral. By shortening the distance between the press and your wall, I significantly reduce transport emissions. Where they can't be avoided, they are fully audited and offset.

• Shorter Journeys, Safer Arrival: Long-haul shipping increases the risk of damage. Local shipping involves fewer handovers and no customs inspections, ensuring your frame arrives in the pristine condition intended.

• Fast & Reliable Reassurance: If the unexpected happens, I fix it fast. Local fulfilment means replacements and resolutions are handled within your region, providing you with total peace of mind.

• Fairer Shipping Rates: I pass the savings of local logistics directly to you, ensuring you pay for the quality of the art, not the cost of the fuel.

My Commitment: I combine the reach of a global artist with the care of a local studio. Better for the planet, better for the art, and better for you.