Lithophane Maker

How to make a lithophane

1. Drop a photo above (JPG or PNG), or try the sample picture.
2. Set the width, the thinnest and thickest point (0.8 mm and 3 mm are good defaults for white PLA) and a frame.
3. Choose flat or curved. The small preview shows how the print looks with a light behind it.
4. Download the STL and print it standing up with 100% infill.

Settings that matter

• Thickness range — more range gives more contrast but needs a brighter light. 0.8–3 mm suits most lamps.
• Detail — the spacing of the relief points. 0.2 mm matches a 0.4 mm nozzle; finer only makes the file bigger.
• Frame — a border at full thickness makes the print sturdier and easier to stand up.
• Curved — bends the lithophane around a vertical axis (up to a full cylinder), so it stands on its own around a candle or LED.
• Negative — inverts the picture, for special effects or a light source in front.

Printing tips

• White or natural PLA, 0.1–0.12 mm layers, 100% infill, slow outer walls.
• Print vertically: the relief then comes from the nozzle path in X and Y, which is sharper than layer steps.
• Pick photos with good contrast; crop out busy backgrounds.