I Found the BEST Way to Print your Astrophotography

Find out why I think this is the best method for displaying photographs of nebulae as framed art. I also include a tutorial to make your own WIRELESS backlit frame, parts list below.

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Parts list for DIY Backlit Frame
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[TheMalbroughs]

Thanks for your video. I did this project and it turned out great. A few notes. Your print shop had a size minimum of 4 square feet. I instead ordered mine from posterprintshop which let me order a few 11x14 back-lit film prints for only $15 each plus shipping. The order arrived within a few days, and to my delight, their film has a white diffusion back, eliminating the need to make that layer. I ordered my 11x14 shadow boxes from Amazon for $18 each and chose ones with a removable spacer that holds the backlit film against the glass. For the 12v LED lighting, I installed it on the inside back board to shine directly towards the back of the picture. Finally, instead of using batteries which die quickly, I use a 12v 1a plug in power adapter. If one really wanted to do this for cheap, they can just buy a Deflecto back-lit frame for $20 to $40 and snap the appropriately sized backlit film right into it. So glad I watched your video. This is definitely the best way to display our art!

[Krty]

I am in the printing industry since the stone age. its nice but I am pretty much sure that I could beat that print after some tweaking. Try someone with at least a nine color solvent printer (maybe some of the latest latex could do it too) and tell them to not print uni directional. I think its doable with some elbow grease. Folks dont usually offer this kind of printing quality because its slow af and I am sure you need a couple of tries to get it good, but definetly doable.

[WindyCityAstrophotography]

This is fantastic, Nico! Thank you for showing the frame processing step-by-step; I can't wait to give it a try

[nttk]

I'm glad to see you venturing into aspects of astrophotography other than just equipment to take the night sky with. Definitely a unique take compared to other channels

[kevinashley]

Absolutely amazing!!! The one thing that keeps me coming back to your videos is summed up in one word: relevance. You are consistently making videos that are answering questions and giving tips that everyone wants/needs. Keep up the great work!
(No questions this time, LOL)

[johnd]

That looks phenomenal Nico! Now I want to get a few of my Aurora capture’s done that way. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[waynewedge]

Amazing process and result. Thank you for the great video

[GaryMCurran]

I think this is a great idea, but the price just kills me. Having said that, for less than the cost of five 5x7 prints, I can purchase a new 1440 27" monitor and an Amazon Firestick (and a lot less money if I want to go used) and build a display that is always on, and something that can create a slide show. It could be set up in a frame, if you wanted to go with a used monitor and you should be able to run all the cables, save one, in the frame itself (if you're creative). That way, you'd be able to show off ALL of your images on the same 'photo frame' and the cost would be significantly less. But, that's just me.

[stevenneaves]

When I used to work for a former production company, we DIY’d some on stage light boxes for a series we put on. A very similar process just done with tons of DMX, wood, and chloroplast. I never would’ve considered the crossover to printing, nice Nico!

[DavesAstrophotography]

Nice project there Nico. Came out really well.

[shyzlolo]

so cool!!! thanks for this idea!!! Will definitely try this!!! Keep up the good work and more power to your channel! Cheers!!!

[AstroCloudGenerator]

Great Video Nico. Definitely a project to keep me busy during the cloudy nights. Thanks for sharing

[KipIngram]

This is brilliant! Thanks for sharing!

[geomark]

@ 2:50 "... now this is where backlit prints with a transparency film as the print medium really SHINE (my emphasis) ..." You even had a small grin when saying that !

[scottmurray]

This is a great idea. Thanks for the info.

[ryans]

Awesome great idea! Thanks for sharing.

[spiltmilt]

This is really cool and will be great for some of the aurora photography.

[andesastro]

Just with the intro a well deserved like. Nicos work is always great.

[dherbman]

Great tutorial. Flat white paint works better than foil in terms of evening out the light. It can also help to add 'light bumpers' . I used thin white plastic sheet to create low profile angled pieces that were placed as need. For blending colored lights, corrugated white plastic works great for making light dams to segregate the colors. One other thing I used to do with every light box I built was to use a thin sheet of frosted film to back the image with. The backlight panels I created were for tower sized PCs so they had to be no deeper than 3/4" and had to perfect illumination. I can't believe I never thought of this.

[astrofalls]

Very neat! I’ve been looking around as well for an option that seems good, especially for big prints.