How to Print a Screenshot of Google Maps

After you locate and zoom in on a destination in Google Maps, take a screenshot to generate an image file that can be emailed, added to documents or printed. If you want a hard copy solely for traveling, bypass the screenshot step and print directly from Google Maps.

The Print Screen or PrtSc key on your keyboard has evolved from its original function of printing your screen. Now, when you press this useful key, your computer takes a screenshot of the entire screen and places it on your Windows clipboard. If you press "Alt-PrtSc," you restrict the screenshot to just the active browsing window where Google Maps is displayed. After the image is captured, you can paste the image into a graphics program such as Paint to save or edit it. If you don't need to edit the file, press "Win-PrtSc" to capture the image and save it to your Screenshots folder, which is located in your Pictures folder.

For greater control of your screenshot, use Windows 8's Search feature to find and open the "Snipping Tool." This tool takes full screen or active-window screenshots like the Print Screen key, but it can be used to snip a rectangular or polygonal area to include only the Google Map details you need. It offers immediate access to drawing, highlighting, saving and emailing options.

If you only need a physical copy, there's no need to invest the extra time to take a screenshot. Instead, print the map directly from your browser. The updated version of Google Maps supports printing in Map or Earth mode using the browser's Print function. If you use the classic version, you can print in Map mode by clicking the "Print" icon to display a larger version and then use the browser's Print function to print the map.

According to Google's Attribution and Permission Guidelines, your screenshot must include the copyright and attribution details located at the bottom of the map. This is particularly important if you plan to include the map on a website or publication. Full screen and active-window screenshots as well as any printed copies should include the attribution details. If you snip a selected area of the map, include the attribution information before capturing the image.