Which file to print
Match the file to the size you want on the wall:
- Standard (2,000 × 2,440 px): screens and social, or small prints.
- HD (3,000 × 3,660 px): prints beautifully up to about 12 × 15 in.
- 4K (6,000 × 7,320 px): 16 × 20 in and larger, up to a ~40-inch wall piece.
The best paper
For a night sky, matte or a thick photo paper looks best — it keeps the black deep and avoids glare. Glossy can work but shows fingerprints and reflections. Ask the print shop for "matte photo" or "fine-art matte".
Standard frame sizes that fit
StarMap files are ~1:1.22 (very close to 4:5), so these standard frames need only a hair of trimming:
- 8 × 10 in
- 11 × 14 in
- 16 × 20 in (the sweet spot)
- 24 × 30 in (use the 4K file)
Where to print in the US
- Walgreens / CVS — same-day pickup, good for quick gifts.
- Staples — inexpensive posters and engineering prints.
- Mpix, Printique or Nations Photo Lab — best quality for a keepsake.
Framing tips
- A white mat border makes the sky pop and looks more expensive.
- Choose anti-glare or matte glass if it will hang opposite a window.
- Hang the center at eye level (about 57–60 in from the floor).