How to make a lithophane from a photo
- Drop your photo on the tool above. JPG, PNG and WebP work, and the photo is processed in your browser, never uploaded.
- Pick a shape and size. Flat for a frame or night light, curved for a desk display, cylinder for a lamp shade.
- Check it backlit. Press the Backlit button to see how the print will look with a light behind it, then download the STL and open it in your slicer.
Best print settings for lithophanes
| Setting | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Orientation | Standing up (the STL is already exported upright) |
| Infill | 100% |
| Layer height | 0.12 – 0.16 mm |
| Material | White PLA |
| Thickness | 0.8 mm min, 3 mm max is a good start |
| Speed | Slow outer walls for a cleaner surface |
| Adhesion | A brim helps tall, thin flat lithophanes stay put |
Want to know what it costs to print? Use the 3D print cost calculator.
Lithophane or relief?
Lithophane turns dark areas into thick plastic and light areas into thin plastic. It looks like a plain white plate until you hold it up to a light, then the photo appears.
Relief does the opposite: bright areas stand out. Use it to turn a logo, drawing or sketch into a raised 3D model, a sign or a stamp. This is the mode most people want when they search for "image to STL".
Which photos work best
- Good contrast between the subject and the background
- Faces filling a big part of the frame
- Sharp photos; blurry pictures stay blurry once printed
- Simple backgrounds; busy ones turn into noise (try Smooth noise)
Frequently asked questions
Is my photo uploaded?
No. The image is read and turned into a 3D model by your own browser. Nothing is sent to our server.
What thickness should a lithophane be?
Most lithophanes use about 0.8 mm for the brightest areas and 3 mm for the darkest. Thicker models give more contrast but need a stronger light.
Why is the STL file so big?
Every pixel becomes part of the mesh. Lower the Detail setting for a smaller file; Medium is sharp enough for most prints.
Can I make a lamp shade?
Yes. Choose Cylinder; the width becomes the distance around the lamp and the tool shows the diameter.
Which slicers can open the file?
All of them, including Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer, OrcaSlicer and Cura. You can also check it first in our free STL viewer.
Can I print it on a resin printer?
Yes. Resin lithophanes come out very sharp; use white or clear-white resin and keep the minimum thickness at 0.8 mm or more.