# Making custom night-sky posters with the Star Map Generator

> custom star maps of the exact night sky from any date and place

A star map of the night someone was born, the evening you got engaged, or the date you said goodbye makes a keepsake people treasure. This tool uses a **real catalogue of over 5,000 stars** and the classic constellation figures, and computes exactly how the sky looked overhead from the place and moment you choose. Style it as glowing art for a print, or switch to laser mode for a clean layered SVG where the stars engrave, the constellations score, and the frame cuts.

## What you need

- **Printing:** any home printer or a print shop, plus paper or card in your chosen size, and a frame
- **Laser engraving:** wood, acrylic, or slate, and the layered SVG export
- **Laser cutting:** the SVG export with the frame layer set to cut
- **Extras:** nothing to install, everything runs in your browser

## Step 1 - Pick the place



Choose a city from the quick list, or type any latitude and longitude for the exact spot. The coordinates are printed on the poster and drive the sky calculation, so a birthplace, a wedding venue, or a childhood home all work.

## Step 2 - Set the date and time



Select the month, day, and year, and optionally a precise time. The stars and constellations move to match the exact moment. Leave the time off for a classic evening sky around 9 pm local.

## Step 3 - Choose a shape and style



- **Full:** a full-sky rectangle that fills the poster edge to edge.
- **Circle:** the classic round star chart with the horizon as the rim.
- **Heart:** the visible sky clipped to a heart, made for romantic keepsakes.
- Pick a palette like Night Gold, Blueprint, Terminal Green, or Black & White, or set your own sky and star colours, and toggle the constellation lines and coordinate grid.

## Step 4 - Add your words



Add the place name, coordinates, the date, and a personal dedication, each in your choice of font. Choose whether the text sits below the sky, above it, or split across the top and bottom, and add a line, double, or frame border.

## Step 5 - Export



Download a high-resolution **PNG** or a **print SVG** for framing, or a **laser SVG** where every part exports as its own coloured group. You can also open the design straight in the Design Editor.

## Printing

### Home and print-shop printing



1. Match the poster size to your paper or frame, or set a custom size in millimetres.
2. Keep the glow on for a rich night-sky look, or use a light palette for a minimalist print.
3. Print the PNG at home, or send the SVG or PNG to a print shop for large or premium stock.
4. Frame it with the same aspect ratio so the sky fills the frame without cropping.

## Laser Engraving & Cutting

### Engraving and cutting from the layered SVG



1. Download the SVG for laser; the stars, constellations, frame, and text export as separate coloured groups.
2. In LightBurn or xTool, the colours map to operations automatically: stars engrave, constellations score, and the frame cuts.
3. Turn off the glow and use the Black & White palette for the crispest single-tone result.
4. Test on a small offcut of wood or acrylic, then run the full size.

## Make it yours

- Birth-night star map with the baby's name and birth details as the dedication.
- Engagement or wedding sky in a heart shape with the couple's names.
- Anniversary poster of the night you met, framed for the bedroom.
- Memorial star map of a loved one's date in a quiet Blueprint palette.
- Engrave the night sky onto a wood plaque using the layered SVG.
- Cut a circular acrylic star chart with the frame layer set to cut for an edge-lit night light.

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Open the Star Map Generator: https://www.mylasertools.com//star-map-generator
Read online: https://www.mylasertools.com//learn/guides/star-map-generator