Howdy jedicartographer,
I'd be happy to provide some concrit feedback - it can be daunting when there's not much to go on... i can completely empathise there.
Why and what could explain this unexpected apparent outcome?
I don't think it's you, or the maps themselves,
there is a lot of value proposition there - these maps are printed to high grade standards.
The visuals are dynamic, the layouts fair and playtested to a high standard.
You've always been not-for-profit kinda person, and transparent and reliable in turn around time - a highly trustworthy trader. So I don't think people are necessarily finding the price of the map itself a problem - shipping, that might be a consideration etc (though that is beyond your control etc).
i think its just tough times all round, a lack of liquidity and 'disposable income' maybe?
and the factor of people having other real-world commitments etc, rotating out of the hobby and getting new hobbies.
I think I can empathise with where you're coming from; you're at a point where, due to minimum print run constraints and margins etc... (everyone taking their slice of the pie along the way), its just borderline viable at the moment.
You've done your shopping around, you've done your homework and found the best possible printing option with the greatest 'give' in terms of margin play.
You've gotta do what you gotta do, kids gotta eat and all
That, and its a risk-reward thing too; since the Disney-ing, a lot of alt garage stuff is playing russian roulette; long time makers such as Alfred Wong are slowing down, same with MvM.
Indie artists and sculptors are loath to take on minis commissions involving such content (mainly due to unrealistic value propositions, and the fact that they can't market their work), so I've been fortunate to find quite a few who'll roll the dice, such as ExManus Studios who brought long awaited characters to life in miniature form.
Also, I think at this point, looking at things a different way,
there are already a large array of map options, and perhaps that is now becoming a factor? I have 20-30 Maps, and 17 collapseable 3D terrains (MDF), so it takes a lot to motivate to add to that "gaming museum" heh. Between the Gemmological collection, miniatures and art... I'm simply running out of space heh.
They get used 120-140 times a year minimum - gaming is a priority and a great way to socialise and unwind. Its also a great way to keep the mind active and using maths skills.
perhaps people are also wanting to shift away from a Heroclix-pseudochess style 2D maps, and into 3D terrain? that is part of the appeal of movement systems such as in W40K etc, as against perhaps a 'juvenile' perception associated with 'play mats'? Play mats aren't as discrete perhaps as a tape measure and tool box...
Maybe theres not enough awareness or advertising going on either... especially in other languages? or on 'shudders' "social media"...
-- few of the popular 'tabletop game review' sites on Youtube are covering SWMinis any more, and there are very few promotional events held - such as playing SWMinis while in a submarine underwater, astronauts playing SWMinis in space, our friends in defense sharing the locales they've played SWMinis (such as onboard USS Kitty Hawk, USS Ronald Reagan, etc), playing SWMinis on very high mountains (mount cook and a few places, it's been played everywhere!) - Has George Lucas himself ever played Star Wars Miniatures?
so, there's less new people coming into the space, to then have a trickledown chance that some of these people will want to add to a map variety, if that makes sense?
Using SCAMPER and Mindmapping to examine the Kipling Method behind the product,
there's little incentive toward creative destruction in the cradle to grave cycle of the product;
no perforations that necessitate and incentivise repeat patronage.
So, one side might be the map, the other side might have a maze with a 'prize'... or Alan Moore style faux ads with coupons for discounts at online pop-culture shops (some of which you negotiate, and so are real) etc...
or some other features, such as perforations such that people can break the map up to use the map instead as a set of terrain tiles (which would require extra copies of maps to be purchased, etc).
Maybe your map is onesided, and on the other side are Poster Art - a detailed map of the SWUniverse with names of the systems would be AWESOME! Maybe you have a set of "Army Backdrop Art" - on the traverse are faction-themed posters. I never got why WotC didn't ever do this.
The asset/map, while awesome, is ostensibly not an appreciable asset, and value adds to a niche market namely tabletop game miniatures.
What ways can a map be modified? Map Tshirts? Map coffee mugs/coasters... map wallpaper/wrapping paper...
What is the map made out of - and how does a map interact with other maps? So, transparent maps, waterproof/smudge resistant... see, there are already loads of space-maps and textured maps/mats ( GaleForce 9 Battle Maps, vinyl maps etc.) Stainless etched lithographic trophy maps.
What is a point of difference with a map as opposed to other maps? Cheaper, has distinct features and functionality...
Anywho, that's a few perspectives from how I see things,
I hope you're able to make this map too, and continue making maps for as long as you enjoy doing so
.
Maybe if you're not able to make a definitive physical printed set run, to then mail out etc...
maybe you make the map available as a print-ready document for people to download and then they find a way to print or make use of that file? So, maybe at a slight increased cost, it can be sold as a digital print-ready map (a slight increase, because even if its print-ready, people could make a large run and print off loads of maps, etc...).
Maybe you pivot to better margin/turn around time activities -
limited time activities, such as only working for 1hr or 2hr turnaround time on terrain tiles (those are AWESOME and yet there are so few terrain tiles still).
or new things, such as base terrain stickers for existing large and colossal figures (so as characters can stand underneath the figure).