Kartenkante

Kartenkante is a German term formed from Karten (card or map) and Kante (edge). The exact meaning depends on context; in everyday language it can denote either the outer edge of a playing card or the boundary of a map or map sheet.

In playing cards, die Kartenkante refers to the outer border of the card. The edge is relevant for handling, durability, and wear over time. Cards commonly feature rounded corners and beveled edges to reduce chipping and to facilitate shuffling and dealing.

In cartography and printing, Kartenkante describes the edge of a map or map sheet. During production, attention is paid to trimming, bleeds, and margins so that important information is not cut off and the design remains legible and aesthetically balanced. The concept is closely related to technical terms such as bleed area and safety margin.

In digital contexts such as geographic information systems and digital cartography, the term may be used to describe the border of a map image or a map tile—the extent of the data included in a map view or dataset. Here it can influence data processing, reprojection, and display.

Overall, Kartenkante denotes an edge or boundary associated with either physical cards or geographic representations. Depending on the field, it encompasses physical geometry, printing tolerances, and digital extents, all of which affect usability and presentation. See also Kartenrand, Rand, Kante.