How to make a lithophane
- Choose a photo. Crop it tightly around the subject. Faces, pets and landscapes with clear contrast work best.
- Pick a shape. Flat for a frame or light box, Curved for a free-standing display, Lamp for a shade over an LED or tea light, Keychain for a small photo pendant.
- Check the backlit preview. Adjust brightness and contrast until the preview looks like your photo held up to a window.
- Download the STL and slice it. It is already standing upright, which gives the sharpest detail.
Lithophane keychains
Keychain mode turns a photo into a small pendant: circle, heart, rounded square, hexagon or a rectangle that follows your photo. The photo is centre-cropped to the outline, framed with a solid rim, and a key-ring loop with a 4.4 mm hole is added on top. They make great gifts. Print a few with different photos from the same roll of white PLA.
- Size: 35–45 mm wide for key rings, 50–60 mm for bag charms.
- Thickness: 0.8–2.6 mm works well at this size; faces need a close crop.
- Printing: upright as exported, 0.12 mm layers, 100% infill, a small brim.
Recommended print settings
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | Plain white PLA |
| Orientation | Upright (as exported) |
| Layer height | 0.12–0.16 mm |
| Infill | 100% |
| Speed | Slow outer walls (e.g. 40 mm/s) |
| Adhesion | Brim, 5–8 mm |
Frequently asked questions
Is this lithophane maker free?
Yes. Make and download as many lithophane STL files as you like. No account is needed.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. Your photo is converted into a 3D model inside your browser. It is never sent to a server.
What filament is best for lithophanes?
Plain white PLA gives the clearest image. Avoid silk, glitter or translucent filaments; they blur detail.
How should I print a lithophane?
Print it standing upright (the STL is already oriented that way) with 100% infill, 0.12–0.16 mm layers and a brim for stability. Slow outer walls help detail.
What thickness should I use?
A range of 0.8 mm to 3.0 mm works for most photos and LED backlights. Use a thicker maximum (3.5–4 mm) for bright lamps, thinner for weak tea lights.
How do I make a lithophane keychain?
Choose Keychain, pick a circle, heart, square, hexagon or photo-shaped outline, and set the width (35–45 mm is typical). The photo is cropped to fit, a solid frame is added around it and a key-ring loop on top. Print it upright with 100% infill and hold it up to a light.
What photos work best?
Photos with a clear subject, good contrast and a simple background. Crop tightly before uploading, and use the contrast slider if the preview looks flat.