How to make a lithophane with a 3D printer

Updated October 22, 2026

What a lithophane is

A lithophane is a thin panel that hides an image: in normal light it looks like a surface with odd bumps, but when you put a light behind it the photo appears. It works because thick areas let little light through and look dark, while thin areas let a lot through and look light.

It's one of the most popular 3D printing gifts: family portraits, pets, weddings or landscapes. They can be flat, like a picture frame, or curved, to put an LED candle inside.

1. Choose a good photo

The photo decides half the result. Photos with good light and contrast work best: well-lit faces, clear silhouettes, skies with clouds. Very dark photos turn into a thick panel where you can barely make anything out, and tiny details get lost.

Before converting it, crop the photo so the subject fills most of the frame. A small face in the middle of a large photo ends up a few millimeters wide and loses its features.

Turn my photo into a lithophane

2. Turn it into an STL

In the image to STL converter, upload the photo and choose Lithophane. The thumbnail in the corner shows you how it will look with light behind it.

Values that work well to start with:

• Thickness in the lightest areas: 0.8 mm. Thinner can print with holes; thicker makes the light areas look gray.
• Thickness in the darkest areas: 3 mm. Thicker gives more contrast but needs a stronger light.
• Frame: leave it on; it makes the part sturdier and easier to remove from the bed.
• Size: 100 mm wide is a good start. Bigger shows more detail, but takes longer.

3. Filament and settings

Use white PLA. Colors, shiny silk filaments and transparent ones change how light passes through and the image loses sharpness.

In your slicer, the most important thing is 100% infill: if it's hollow inside, the infill lines show with light behind it. Use thin layers, 0.12 to 0.16 mm, and a moderate speed.

The flat lithophane can be printed lying down, as it comes in the file. Many people prefer printing it standing up because the detail comes out finer; if you do, add a brim so it doesn't tip over. The curved lithophane already comes standing.

4. Light it

The light is part of the piece. A sunny window, a desk lamp or an LED strip behind the flat one all work well. For the curved one, put an LED candle inside: they give a warm light, don't get hot and there's no fire risk.

Avoid real candles: PLA softens around 60 °C and the flame will warp it.

Frequently asked questions