Photo to lithophane
A lithophane is a thin panel that reveals a photo when you hold it up to light. This tool inverts the image so dark areas print thick and light areas print thin, on a flat backing ready for a white filament print.
Sample image loaded. Drop your own above.How to use the photo to lithophane
- 1Add a pictureDrop a PNG, JPG, WebP or SVG. A sample image is preloaded so you can see the result straight away.
- 2Tune depth and detailSlide depth for how far shapes rise, and detail for how fine the mesh is. The 3D preview updates live.
- 3Export STL or GLBSTL comes out watertight and 100 mm wide, ready for your slicer.
Tips for better results
- Print in white PLA at 100% infill, standing upright.
- Faces and pets with strong lighting make the best lithophanes.
Lithophane settings that work
- Thickness ranges of about 0.8 mm (lightest areas) to 3 mm (darkest) suit most white PLA.
- Print vertically with a brim; the layer lines then run across the image and are almost invisible when lit.
- Increase contrast slightly before uploading: lithophanes compress the tonal range, and flat photos look washed out.
- Warm LED strips or a tea-light lamp behind the panel give the classic porcelain glow.
Questions
- Do I need to sign up to try it?
- No. The preview runs in your browser without an account. You only need a plan to download the result.
- Is my file private?
- Yes. Processing happens on your device. Nothing is uploaded unless you save a result to your account.