How accurate is the moon phase on the print?

Very accurate. We calculate the exact lunar phase for your chosen date and location rather than using a generic crescent or full-moon graphic. The calculation uses positional astronomy based on Jean Meeus' Astronomical Algorithms, a standard reference in the field, together with NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter data for the Moon's surface. That means the illumination percentage, the shape of the lit portion, the position of the terminator line between light and shadow, and the visible surface detail are all specific to your night. We also calculate the Moon's tilt for your location, so the print shows the Moon the way you would have seen it from where you stood, not a flat, orientation-free disc. You can compare the phase for any date against the free Stellarium planetarium software. Each print is then produced on museum-grade fine art paper with archival pigment inks backed by a 100+ year colour guarantee.

Does my location affect the print?

Yes. Your location changes the tilt and orientation of the Moon on your print, even though the phase itself is the same everywhere on Earth on a given night. The Moon's apparent angle depends on your latitude. In the northern hemisphere a crescent leans one way, near the equator it lies almost flat like a bowl, and in the southern hemisphere the whole image appears flipped. A crescent seen from London leans at a different angle than the same crescent seen from Sydney. We calculate the parallactic angle for the exact location you enter, so the print shows the Moon the way it actually looked from where you were, not a generic flat disc. The location you enter can also appear as text on the print, alongside your date and message. To see the stars above the same place on the same night, create a matching custom star map.

What paper and inks are used?

Moon phase prints use the same paper, inks, and finishing as our star map prints: museum-grade 200gsm enhanced matte fine art paper, giclée printed with archival pigment inks. This is the same printing process used by galleries and museums. The matte surface gives a rich tonal range and deep blacks without glare, which suits the fine surface detail of the Moon and the soft gradient of the terminator line between light and shadow. Every print is backed by our print partner's 100+ year colour guarantee, so your moon phase print is made to last a lifetime. Our paper comes from FSC-approved forests. Each print is made to order for your date and location, and standard shipping is free on every order. Because the materials match, a moon phase print hangs naturally alongside a star map from the same night. To see the same paper used for night sky designs, visit our star map posters collection.

Can I add a personal message to the print?

Yes. You can add a personal message to your moon phase print, along with the date and location text for the night it shows. Many customers use a short line such as "The moon on the night we met" or "Born under this moon," followed by names and the date. Others add the city, or the name of the exact place the moment happened, such as a wedding venue or the hospital where a child was born. The message is printed in the same archival pigment inks as the rest of the design, on museum-grade 200gsm enhanced matte fine art paper, so it lasts as long as the print itself. Short, specific wording tends to work best, whether it marks a birthday, an anniversary, a wedding, or a memorial. If you'd like more ideas, our jewellery inscription inspiration page collects short messages that work just as well on a print.

Is a moon phase print a good gift?

Yes. A moon phase print is a meaningful gift because everyone has a Moon from the night that mattered most: the night they were born, the night they married, or the night everything changed. The print shows the exact phase and tilt of the Moon from that date and location, so it belongs to one moment and one place rather than showing a generic crescent. Add names, the date, and a short message to make it theirs. It is a popular choice for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, new babies, and memorials, and it pairs well with a star map of the same night. Each print is made on museum-grade fine art paper with archival pigment inks backed by a 100+ year colour guarantee, standard shipping is free, and if you're not happy you can return it within 30 days of delivery. For a version they can wear every day, see our moon phase jewellery.