---
title: "Enhance coastlines with Land Gradient | Guides | Map design"
description: "Enhance coastlines using the Land Gradient tileset technique."
---

> For AI agents: a documentation index is available at [/llms.txt](https://docs.maptiler.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of all pages are available by appending .md to any URL.

# Enhance coastlines with Land Gradient

Coastline enhancement is a classic cartographic technique used to visually define landmasses and make features stand out in the ocean. You can now easily replicate it with MapTiler and the [Land Gradient](https://cloud.maptiler.com/tiles/land-gradient/) tileset.

![Coastline enhancement](./coastline-enhancement.webp)

## What is a gradient

Let’s start by answering the question of how the effect is actually called. In cartography, we use the term **coastal vignette**, which means a gradual fade or glow around the coast and blending seamlessly into the background. Graphic designers would call this technique **feathering**. You can also find the terms **Gradient**, **Blur**, or **Shading** to be used.

In MapTiler, we prepared the tilesets [Land Gradient](https://cloud.maptiler.com/tiles/land-gradient/) and [Land Gradient Dark](https://cloud.maptiler.com/tiles/land-gradient-dark/) to be used for this purpose. They use data from the [Land tileset](https://cloud.maptiler.com/tiles/land/), hence the naming. We also use the term gradient to emphasise not only the coastal vignette but also the fading as you approach the poles.

![Gradient at poles](./gradient-poles.webp)

## Enhance your map

Coastal vignettes serve multiple purposes in cartography:

-   **Visual separation**: Enhances the distinction between land and water.
-   **Depth perception**: Adds a sense of elevation and layering to the map.
-   **Historical aesthetics**: Mimics classic map styles from the Age of Exploration.

The [Land Gradient](https://cloud.maptiler.com/tiles/land-gradient/) tileset replicates this effect by applying a soft outer glow around continents. It serves as a modern approach to traditional coastal vignettes, improving visual appeal while maintaining the speed of the MBTiles format.

![Outer glow](./map-enhancement.webp)

## Using the Land Gradient dataset

The Land Gradient tilesets are available in your Cloud [Tiles](https://cloud.maptiler.com/tiles/) section where you can preview them.

-   [Land Gradient](https://cloud.maptiler.com/tiles/land-gradient/)
-   [Land Gradient Dark](https://cloud.maptiler.com/tiles/land-gradient-dark/)

We use the gradient effect in our [Landscape](https://cloud.maptiler.com/maps/landscape-v4/) map style where it creates a plastic perception of the continents compared to the ocean. To achieve this effect, the gradient is overlaid with [Land](https://cloud.maptiler.com/tiles/land/), a vector polygon representation of global land areas.

You can reuse this map style or customize it to your preference. We recommend using the following properties:

-   **Opacity**: helps to tune out or enhance the layer across the zoom levels
-   **Hue shift**: makes the gradient a different color
-   **Saturation shift**: turns the gradient monochromatic or more vivid

![Customize properties](./customize.webp)

There is also [Landscape Dark](https://cloud.maptiler.com/maps/landscape-v4-dark/) available for applications with dark modes, and [Landscape Vivid](https://cloud.maptiler.com/maps/landscape-v4-vivid/) with a vibrant color scheme.

To add the Land Gradient into one of your custom maps, click on the **plus button** in the left corner of your **Layers** panel in MapTiler Map Designer (and select Layer).

![Add new layer](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-design/add-a-new-style-layer/17472335038609_8e9a1b2039.webp)

Search for “Land Gradient” and then click **Continue**. In the last selection window, you can adjust the Parent Block or Layer name. Once in the map, we recommend moving the gradient down in your **Verticality** tab. The best position would be just above any water areas.

For more info about how to add and style layers, see [Adding a new style layer](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-design/add-a-new-style-layer/).