Print Media Options for Astrophotography

In the astrophotography world, it's known that the best media for deep space images are Metal or Face-Mounted Acrylic. Why? Because they make galaxies and nebulae pop with a luminous, three-dimensional effect that paper just can't match. We want you to experience our deep space vistas in their full splendor, so we offer these two gallery-quality options.

At-a-Glance Comparison

Feature Premium Metal Print Gallery Acrylic Print
The "Look" Vibrant, sleek, and modern. The image looks like it's fused *into* the metal. Rich, deep, and "liquid." The image seems to float behind a polished window.
Black Levels Excellent, deep blacks that provide fantastic contrast. The absolute deepest, inky blacks possible in print. True "space black."
Finish High-Gloss (recommended for maximum "pop") Extreme High-Gloss. A 'wet' look that enhances depth.
How It's Made Image is dye-sublimated (infused with heat) onto a rigid aluminum panel. A Fujiflex Crystal Archive print is face-mounted behind 1/4" polished acrylic.
Durability Exceptional. Waterproof & scratch-resistant. Safe for kitchens or covered patios. High. Durable and shatter-resistant, but treat it like gallery art (not waterproof).
How It Hangs Ready to hang with a "float" mount. Sits about 3/4" off the wall. Ready to hang with a "float" mount for a modern, frameless look.

Premium Metal Prints

A stunning, durable print in which dyes are infused directly into a specially coated metal sheet. This provides incredible depth, vibrant colors, and a unique luminous effect - perfect for astronomical images.

Our prints are created using high-heat technology to fuse your selected image into aluminum for incredible visual depth and luminosity. A metal photo print is lightweight, extremely durable, and easy to hang, making them perfect for any space. With two finishes to choose from, our metals beautifully bring out the detail in galaxies and nebulae with unmatched color, clarity, and exceptional detail. It almost feels like you're suspended in deep space.

    • Metal prints are waterproof, scratch-resistant, and breathtakingly vivid.
    • Vibrant colors & exceptional detail
    • The definitive way to display our deep space images
    • Choose between high gloss or mid-gloss (for less glare)

  • Metal Print surfaces are crosslinked in nature, meaning there are no open or closed pores, so you can easily and thoroughly clean them with a variety of cleaners and disinfecting chemicals. Plus, the image stability of Metal Prints is 2 to 4 times that of traditional silver-based photo papers.
  • insert frame for metal print

    All of our premium metal prints come with a 3/4" insert Gallery Frame Stand-Out Mount. This floats the print off the wall creating a modern standout look, while also adding strength and rigidity to the metal.
    This lightweight yet strong custom-made frame includes a wire hanger, as well as a French Cleat hanger attachment (shown), so it is ready to hang right out of the box.

  • Optional Upgrade: Metal Float Frame

    Transform your metal print into a museum-like piece of decor by adding a beautiful float frame. The metal print is floated with a 1/4″ air space between the image and the frame giving it a stand out feel.
    Hanger bracket included.

Gallery Quality Acrylic

Upgrade to our ultimate wall display option - a beautiful acrylic print in which our space imagery is face-mounted to plexiglass with polished edges. While our Metal Prints offer a stunning modern look, our Acrylic Prints are the ultimate choice for gallery-level appeal. The magic of this technique is that it provides depth - which is what you want with a deep space image, right? The light passes through the polished acrylic, hits the space image and then refracts back out. This is what provides that "backlit," almost 3D-looking appearance.

Nebulas and galaxies look like they are literally floating, and the stars have much more "pop" against the blackness of space. Acrylic really elevates our images to the next level.

Vivid, High Detail Design

Our spacescapes mounted to acrylic - a technique used by galleries and photographers for decades to provide a highly polished, sleek 3D look.

Print is 'floated' 3/4" away from the wall for maximum visual appeal.

The DiBond backing and 1/4" acrylic face add weight to the display, creating a substantial and refined feel.





  • Our acrylic prints come with a DiBond backing for a sturdy, substantial display. DiBond is a rigid, black polyethylene core sandwiched between two aluminum sheets. This resilient material doesn't warp, shrink or expand with temperature.

    Cleat hanger hardware included, providing an easy, stable way to mount the print to the wall and keep it level.

    As illustrated here, the top layer is a 1/4" acrylic face with polished edges.

    Polished acrylic provides you with extra depth and radiance, elevating your wall display to the next level.

  • To get that amazing 'wet' look and the deepest blacks, we use a gallery-quality, high-gloss paper behind the acrylic material. Like any quality print decor, we recommend hanging it in a spot that doesn't get direct sunlight or bright, direct reflections.

Bracko's Pick...

As the astrophotographer, my personal favorite is the Premium Metal Print with the high-gloss finish. It offers a luminous depth that feels like you're looking through a spacecraft viewport. It's how I display my own work right here at the observatory.

Now, it's your turn. Find the deep space vista that speaks to you, and choose the perfect display option to bring the cosmos into your home or office.

Customize Your Wall Display