diff --git a/docs/projections.py b/docs/projections.py
index 7a139cad..6584f9db 100644
--- a/docs/projections.py
+++ b/docs/projections.py
@@ -126,7 +126,13 @@
 # has its own :meth:`~ultraplot.axes.GeoAxes.format` command. :meth:`ultraplot.axes.GeoAxes.format`
 # facilitates :ref:`geographic-specific modifications <ug_geoformat>` like meridional
 # and parallel gridlines and land mass outlines. The syntax is very similar to
-# :func:`ultraplot.axes.CartesianAxes.format`. Note that the `proj` keyword and several of
+# :func:`ultraplot.axes.CartesianAxes.format`.
+#  .. important::
+#           The internal reference system used for plotting in ultraplot is **PlateCarree**.
+#           External libraries, such as `contextily`, may use different internal reference systems,
+#           such as **EPSG:3857** (Web Mercator). When interfacing with such libraries, it is important
+#           to provide the appropriate `transform` parameter to ensure proper alignment between coordinate systems.
+# Note that the `proj` keyword and several of
 # the :func:`~ultraplot.axes.GeoAxes.format` keywords are inspired by the basemap API.
 # In the below example, we create and format a very simple geographic plot.
 
@@ -217,7 +223,7 @@
 #      when they are omitted (e.g., ``lon0=0`` as the default for most projections).
 #
 # .. warning::
-#    The `basemap`_ package is now being actively maintained again witha short hiatus for a few years. We originally
+#    The `basemap`_ package is now being actively maintained again with a short hiatus for a few years. We originally
 #    included basemap support because its gridline labeling was more powerful
 #    than cartopy gridline labeling. While cartopy gridline labeling has
 #    significantly improved since version 0.18, UltraPlot continues to support
diff --git a/ultraplot/tests/test_geographic.py b/ultraplot/tests/test_geographic.py
index de62695d..4b95a938 100644
--- a/ultraplot/tests/test_geographic.py
+++ b/ultraplot/tests/test_geographic.py
@@ -879,3 +879,19 @@ def test_dms_used_for_mercator():
         assert a == expectation
         assert b == expectation
     return fig
+
+
+@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
+def test_imshow_with_and_without_transform(rng):
+    data = rng.random((100, 100))
+    fig, ax = uplt.subplots(ncols=3, proj="lcc", share=0)
+    ax.format(land=True, labels=True)
+    ax[:2].format(
+        latlim=(-10, 10),
+        lonlim=(-10, 10),
+    )
+    ax[0].imshow(data, transform=ax[0].projection)
+    ax[1].imshow(data, transform=None)
+    ax[2].imshow(data, transform=uplt.axes.geo.ccrs.PlateCarree())
+    ax.format(title=["LCC", "No transform", "PlateCarree"])
+    return fig
diff --git a/ultraplot/tests/test_inputs.py b/ultraplot/tests/test_inputs.py
index 00ad9be9..a12959da 100644
--- a/ultraplot/tests/test_inputs.py
+++ b/ultraplot/tests/test_inputs.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import ultraplot as uplt, pytest, numpy as np
-from unittest.mock import Mock
+from unittest.mock import Mock, patch
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
@@ -33,3 +33,25 @@ def tripcolor(self, tri, z, extra=None, kw=None):
 
     # Test that the decorator preserves the function name
     assert decorated.__name__ == "tripcolor"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("transform", [None, uplt.constructor.Proj("merc")])
+def test_projection_set_correctly(rng, transform):
+
+    fig, ax = uplt.subplots(proj="merc")
+    fig.canvas.draw()
+    data = rng.random((10, 10))
+
+    with patch.object(ax, "imshow", wraps=ax.imshow) as mock_imshow:
+        # Call imshow with some dummy data
+        settings = dict(transform=transform)
+        ax.imshow(data, **settings)
+
+        # Assert that the transform keyword argument was set correctly
+        mock_imshow.assert_called_once()
+        _, kwargs = mock_imshow.call_args
+        assert "transform" in kwargs, "The 'transform' keyword argument is missing."
+        assert (
+            kwargs["transform"] is transform
+        ), f"Expected transform to be {transform}, got {kwargs['transform']}"
+    uplt.close(fig)