About

Built by one person who loves maps

CartoSketch is a solo project — no team, no investors, no roadmap committee. Just one developer trying to make it easier to turn real places into art.

JP

Jack Pan

Founder & sole maintainer of CartoSketch

Indie developer and designer working at the intersection of maps, generative AI, and tools for creators. Previously shipped product at growth-stage startups; now building CartoSketch full-time.

Why CartoSketch exists

Every AI map tool I tried in 2025 did the same thing: generate a fictional world from a text prompt. But the maps I actually wanted were of real places — the street where I grew up, the neighbourhood a friend was about to move to, the exact stretch of coast in a short story I was writing. None of the fantasy generators could do that, because none of them started from real geographic data.

CartoSketch is the version I wanted to exist. It pulls a real Mapbox render of the place you pick, then runs that render through an AI model that restyles it — watercolor, ink wash, cartoon sketch, or whatever you describe. The geometry is real. The styling is generated. You get a map of an actual place on Earth, rendered as art.

What I care about

  • Real places, not fake ones. Every output is grounded in actual Mapbox geographic data. Streets, coastlines, and landmarks match reality.
  • Honest pricing. Credits never expire on packs. Subscriptions are straightforward. No hidden limits. No dark patterns.
  • Usable output. Print-ready 2K PNGs with no watermarks. Commercial use allowed on every plan. If you pay for it, it's yours.
  • Small by design. I answer support email. I ship changes the same day if they matter. If something is broken, just email me.

Try it free

Every new account gets 1 credit to generate your first map — no credit card required.

Start Creating