Designing print maps
In QGIS, print maps are designed in the print composer. A QGIS project can contain multiple composers, so it makes sense to pick descriptive names. Composers are saved automatically whenever we save the project. To see a list of all the compositions available in a project, go to Project | Composer Manager.
We can open a new composer by going to Project | New Print Composer or using Ctrl + P. The composer window consists of the following:
A preview area for the map composition displaying a blank page when a new composer is created
Panels for configuring Composition, Item properties, and Atlas generation, as well as a Command history panel for quick undo and redo actions
Toolbars to manage, save, and export compositions; navigate in the preview area; as well as add and arrange different composer items
Once you have designed your print map the way you want it, you can save the template to a composer template .qpt file by going to Composer | Save as template and reuse it in other...
