Live backlit preview
The 3D preview shades the panel as if a light were behind it, so you see the picture before you print.
Lithophane Maker
Turn a photo into a panel that reveals the picture when light shines through. Free backlit preview, 2 credits per STL.
Samples
3D previewSample
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100 mm
3.2 mm
Advanced settings
0.8 mm
Detail
Runs in your browser. Your image is never uploaded.
Continue with your lithophane
Prepare the file for your printer, or make a different kind of print from a picture.
How to make a lithophane
Dark areas print thick and block light. Bright areas print thin and glow.
- 1
Upload a photo
Faces, pets and landscapes with clear light work best. Crop close so the subject fills the frame.
- 2
Set size and thickness
Choose the panel size and thickness. The backlit preview updates as you drag the sliders.
- 3
Download and print upright
Save the STL and print it standing up in white PLA at 100% infill.
From photo to lithophane
A portrait photo and the panel this maker builds from it.
Why use this lithophane maker
Made for flat lithophane panels that print cleanly.
Sizes in millimeters
Set the longest side from 40 to 200 mm and read the exact panel size and filament weight.
Thickness control
Max and min thickness set the darkest shadow and the brightest highlight of the panel.
Invert and detail
Flip the tones for a negative, and choose draft, standard or fine detail for the mesh.
Private and local
Your photo is turned into a model inside your browser and is never uploaded.
Free preview, no watermark
Preview with no account. Each STL is 2 credits, and new accounts get 10 free.
Settings that make it glow
Four choices decide whether the picture shines or stays gray.
Thickness 0.8 to 3.2 mm
About 0.8 mm keeps highlights bright and the panel sturdy. About 3 mm blocks nearly all light for deep shadows.
White PLA, 100% infill
Solid white plastic passes light evenly. Colored filament tints and darkens the image.
Print it upright
Stand the panel on edge with a small brim and use fine layers such as 0.12 mm, so gradients come out smooth.
Light it from behind
Hold it against a window or an LED panel. Even, diffuse light shows the most detail.
What to make with a lithophane
The maker prints flat panels. These four uses cover most of what people make, with a size to start from.
Night light
Stand the panel in front of a small LED strip or puck light. Warm white LEDs give the classic glow without heating the plastic.
100 mm, 0.8 to 3.2 mmWindow hanging
Daylight from behind works like a lamp. Set it in a small stand on the sill or glue a hook to the top edge.
150 mm longest sideBacklit photo frame
Size the panel to the frame opening and put a thin LED panel behind it. The photo appears when the light is on.
152 mm for a 4 × 6 in frameKeepsake gift
Pets, weddings and new babies are the favorite subjects. A small panel fits on a desk or shelf next to a battery LED.
80 mm longest sideLithophane guide
The details behind the settings above.
How a lithophane works
A lithophane is a thin sheet of varying thickness. Where it is thick it blocks light and reads as shadow; where it is thin, light passes through and it glows. In normal room light it looks like a plain white plaque, and the picture appears the moment you put a lamp behind it.
The maker maps every pixel of your photo to a thickness: dark pixels print thick, bright pixels print thin. The preview shades the panel the same way, so what you see on the build plate is close to what you will see with a light behind the print.
Thickness settings that print well
Minimum thickness sets your brightest highlight. Around 0.8 mm lets plenty of light through while keeping the panel sturdy; below 0.6 mm highlights become fragile and see-through even unlit. Maximum thickness sets your deepest shadow, and about 3 mm blocks nearly all light from a typical LED.
Print in white PLA at 100% infill so light travels through solid plastic rather than an infill pattern. Stand the panel upright with a small brim, use a fine layer height such as 0.12 mm, and slow down the outer walls for a cleaner surface.
Choosing a photo that glows
Faces, pets and backlit landscapes work best. Pick a photo with clear lighting and a subject that fills most of the frame, and crop out busy backgrounds before you upload. Strong, even contrast matters more than resolution.
Very dark photos turn into thick, heavy panels that need a bright lamp. If the result looks flat, brighten the photo or widen the thickness range. Leave Invert tones off for backlit panels; switching it on prints a negative.
Lithophane questions
Answers about thickness, filament, orientation, size and price.
What is the best thickness for a lithophane?
A range of 0.8 mm to 3.2 mm works on most printers. Thinner minimums glow brighter but break more easily; thicker maximums add print time without much more contrast.
Which filament should I use?
White or natural PLA. Colored filament tints the light and lowers contrast, and translucent PETG scatters light so the image looks softer.
Should I print it flat or standing up?
Standing up. Printing vertically puts the thickness changes within each layer, which gives a smoother, more detailed image than printing flat on the plate.
How big should a lithophane be?
Around 100 mm on the longest side suits a desk lamp or night light. Larger panels show more detail but take longer; keep the same thickness range as you scale up.
Is the lithophane maker free?
The preview is free and needs no account. Each STL download costs 2 credits, and new accounts get 10 free credits, enough for 5 lithophanes. Your photo never leaves your device.