Hand-Coating vs. Vacuum-Forming Technology

Hand-Coating

For hand-coated globes, the map, which is divided into 12 segments, is glued on by hand. Our traditionally made globes are available with acrylic spheres or hand-blown crystal glass spheres. The map image is offset printed on special paper. It impresses with brilliant colors combined with the highest detail. The ultra-fine resolution makes the halftone dot virtually invisible to the human eye. Note for experts: COLUMBUS globes are printed with a 105 screen, whereas the competition usually uses a 60 screen. This type of application is used for the following maps:

DUO DUORAMA DUO ALBA DUO AZZURRO ROYAL IMPERIAL ARTLINE BLACK SERIES KIDS GLOBE

Vacuum-Forming Technology

The modern production of machine-made globes is achieved by using the vacuum-forming technology. In this process, the map is printed with distortion onto a plano film. Afterward, these distortions are corrected by the "deep-drawing" process.

The globes, which are made exclusively of acrylic, are manufactured as two hemispheres. They are then permanently joined together at the equator.

This proven technique has been used by COLUMBUS since 1965 with the "Duplex". At that time, it was a huge development step towards mass production.

Hand-Coating

For hand-coated globes, the map, which is divided into 12 segments, is glued on by hand. Our traditionally made globes are available with acrylic spheres or hand-blown crystal glass spheres. The map image is offset printed on special paper. It impresses with brilliant colors combined with the highest detail. The ultra-fine resolution makes the halftone dot virtually invisible to the human eye. Note for experts: COLUMBUS globes are printed with a 105 screen, whereas the competition usually uses a 60 screen. This type of application is used for the following maps:

DUO DUORAMA DUO ALBA DUO AZZURRO ROYAL IMPERIAL ARTLINE BLACK SERIES KIDS GLOBE

Vacuum-Forming Technology

The modern production of machine-made globes is achieved by using the vacuum-forming technology. In this process, the map is printed with distortion onto a plano film. Afterward, these distortions are corrected by the "deep-drawing" process.

The globes, which are made exclusively of acrylic, are manufactured as two hemispheres. They are then permanently joined together at the equator.

This proven technique has been used by COLUMBUS since 1965 with the "Duplex". At that time, it was a huge development step towards mass production.

Hand-blown crystal glass spheres

Traditions are preserved. Transcending generations, the hand-blown crystal glass balls give your globe a special value and feel. Even after decades, crystal glass retains its initial radiance, far superior to acrylic glass.

Momentarily cheaper to purchase, acrylic glass naturally becomes blind over the decades.

Do not worry about the fragility of crystal glass balls. With a massive wall thickness of several millimeters, this ball is extremely stable. More stable than a comparable acrylic glass ball.

Furthermore, our crystal glass balls can be re-covered in a few years with another more current card image.

Right now we are covering decades old COLUMBUS globes with the latest digital map technology and not only the owners are enjoying this great upgrade option for their decades old companion.