4 min read

Strava art vs a Strava route print: what's the difference?

"Strava art" usually means deliberately running or riding a route that draws a shape or picture on the map — like a GPS doodle. A "Strava route print" means a printed poster of a route you actually did, kept as wall art. They overlap, but they're different goals: one is about the run itself, the other about commemorating it. Here's how to tell them apart and turn either into something you can hang.

What people mean by 'Strava art'

Strava art (or GPS art) is the craft of planning a route so the GPS trace forms a recognisable shape — an animal, a message, a piece of doodle. The art is in the planning and the running. People share the screenshot, and sometimes want to print the best ones.

What a 'route print' is

A route print is a designed poster of a route you care about — a marathon, a favourite loop, a bucket-list ride — made to look good on a wall. The route doesn't need to draw a picture; the point is to commemorate the activity, often with the distance, time, and date alongside it.

Turning either into wall art

Whichever you have, the process is the same: get the route as a Strava activity or GPX file, design it with colours and typography that suit your space, and order a print. If you made a piece of Strava art, a clean single-route layout shows the shape off best. If you're commemorating a race, add the stats so the print tells the story.

In Mappa Studio you can do both — import from Strava or upload a GPX file, style it, and order a framed or unframed print with a free digital download included.

FAQ

Common questions

Can I print a piece of Strava art?

Yes. Import the activity from Strava or upload its GPX file, choose a clean single-route layout so the shape stands out, and order a print.

What's the difference between Strava art and a route print?

Strava art is a route run to draw a shape on the map; a route print is a poster of a route you did, kept as wall art. You can print either with Mappa Studio.

Ready when you are

Turn your route into a print

Whether it's GPS art or a favourite race, design a print of it in minutes.