How it works
Step 1: Discover Your Perfect Sky Canvas
First step diving into the creation of your personalised star map is exploring our diverse collection of designs. At Skylit Studio, we pride ourselves on offering a range of styles to suit various tastes and preferences. Whether you’re looking for something minimalistic, romantic, or perhaps a bit more avant-garde, we believe we have a design that will capture your heart. Start by browsing our gallery to find the perfect backdrop that resonates with your personal story or the occasion you wish to commemorate. This initial step ensures that the star map you create not only reflects the night sky but also aligns perfectly with your aesthetic desires.
Step 2: Tailor Your Celestial View
Once you've selected a design that speaks to you, it’s time to customise the details that make your star map uniquely yours. At Skylit Studio, we offer a variety of elements to tailor your star map precisely to your liking:
- Constellations: Choose to display the constellations to add an educational or mythical layer to your star map. You can toggle the constellations on or off depending on your preference.
- Graticules: Add or remove the coordinate grid lines for an added complexity look or to enhance the scientific feel of your map.
- Constellation Names: Opt to include the names of the constellations for clarity and a touch of elegance, or keep the design simple by leaving them out.
- Map Shape: Select the shape that best fits your style or the occasion. Choices include the classic circular globe, a globe encased by a decorative compass design for a vintage touch, or a romantic heart shape perfect for anniversaries or Valentine’s Day gifts.
- Borders: Decide if you want a sleek border around your star map. Borders can add a refined finish and help your design stand out, especially when framed.
Customising these elements allows you to create a star map that not only marks a special date but also completely aligns with your personal or gift-giving needs. Each choice you make adds a unique dimension to your final print, ensuring it’s a true reflection of your personal style or the message you wish to convey.
Step 3: Specify Your Skyline
Now that your design is dialed in, the next critical step is setting the specific location, date, and time that will dictate the celestial scene for your star map. This precision ensures your star map accurately reflects the sky at that pivotal moment.
- Location: Pinpoint the precise location that holds special meaning to you. Whether it’s where you proposed, the spot of your first date, or any other place with sentimental value, the chosen location is where your star map will anchor its celestial display.
- Date: Select the date that marks your memorable occasion. This could be an anniversary, a birthday, or any significant day whose memory you wish to immortalize under the stars.
- Time: Setting the time adds another layer of precision to your star map, showing the sky at that exact moment. While this detail enhances accuracy, you have the option to display or hide the time on the final print, depending on your preference. If you choose to include it, the time can give further context to the moment captured. If not, the focus remains purely on the visual beauty of the stars.
Each of these settings contributes to creating a star map that not only captures a moment but does so with both artistic flair and astronomical accuracy. This attention to detail ensures that your star map is a true representation of your special occasion, tailored to reflect your personal story against the backdrop of the night sky.
Step 4: Craft Your Story in Text
With the celestial elements of your star map established, the next step allows you to add a personal touch through custom text. This step brings your star map to life by embedding your personal story directly into the design:
- Message: Input a heartfelt message, a significant quote, or any text that resonates with the occasion you are commemorating. For example, "The night that changed everything" adds a romantic touch that enhances the emotional value of the star map. If you're looking for inspiration or need help finding the perfect words, click on our "Find Your Sayings Here" section. It's filled with suggestions and poetic expressions that can help spark your creativity and find the exact phrasing to express your sentiments.
- Title: Give your star map a unique title that encapsulates the essence of the moment or the occasion. Titles such as "Our First Kiss" or "The Night We Said Yes" help to immediately convey the significance of the star map to anyone viewing it.
- Date: Although the date setting does not affect the position of the stars, it serves as a timestamp for your special moment. You have the option to customize the date text to match the style and tone of your map.
- Location text: Adding the location provides a geographical anchor for your star map, giving viewers context about where the depicted celestial event took place. This could be as specific as a street address or as broad as a city and state. You can pinpoint the star map to show the precise location down to the house number and then manually change the location text to your liking.
- Coordinates text: For an added layer of customization and precision, you can include the exact coordinates of your special location. This feature is appealing to those who appreciate geographical accuracy and details. You have the option to remove the coordinates from showing or use this space for some further personalized text, as this will not impact the actual coordinates.
- Font Selection: Finally, choose from a selection of fonts to give your text a personal touch that fits your style. Whether you prefer something elegant and traditional or modern and minimalist, selecting the right font can significantly impact the overall look and feel of your star map.
This step is all about making your star map deeply personal and aligned with your individual preferences. Each piece of text adds depth and narrative, transforming your star map from a beautiful piece of art into a meaningful keepsake that tells your unique story.
Step 5: Perfect Your Star Map Presentation
With your star map design and text customization complete, the final step involves selecting the specific product details that will bring your creation to life. This includes choosing the finish, size, and frame for your star map, ensuring that it perfectly suits your space and aesthetic preferences.
- Product Finish: Decide whether you want your star map framed or unframed. A framed finish enhances the presentation and durability of your star map, making it ready to hang or gift upon arrival. If you prefer a minimalist look or plan to custom frame it yourself, choose 'No frame.'
- Size: Skylit Studio offers a variety of sizes to best match your display area:
- Choose the Frame: If you've opted for a framed finish, select from our available frame colors to complement your decor:
Final Review and Purchase
Once you have configured all the options, review your choices to ensure everything is exactly as you wish. This includes double-checking the accuracy of the custom text, the selected date, and the overall design. When satisfied, simply add your star map to the cart and proceed to checkout. Skylit Studio ensures a secure checkout process, with various payment options available to suit your convenience.
Ready to Add the Perfect Finishing Touch?
After selecting your custom star map and its details, don’t forget to add the perfect finishing touch before you check out. Skylit Studio offers an exclusive gift-wrapping service to make your present even more special. Choose from a variety of ribbon colors including red, royal blue, light blue, jet black, hot pink, or white pearl to personalize your gift to your or your recipient’s taste. This thoughtful detail ensures your star map arrives not just as a gift, but as a beautifully presented keepsake ready to bring joy and surprise to your loved one. Whether it’s for a birthday, anniversary, or Valentine’s Day, our elegant wrapping option adds that final flourish that makes unboxing as delightful as discovering the stars. Available at the cart stage, simply select this option to have your map wrapped with care, highlighting your attention to every detail.
Ready to create yours?
Craft a unique star map that captures the alignment of the stars from any date and location you choose — be it a first kiss, an engagement, or another cherished memory. Click 'Create My Star Map' to begin customising your personal view of the cosmos, turning stellar patterns into a timeless keepsake. Perfect for gifting or as a personal memento.