A lithophane is a thin print that looks like plain plastic until you light it from behind. Then a photo appears, made of thicker and thinner areas that let different amounts of light through. Lithophane 3D printing turns any picture into one, which is why custom photo lithophanes are a favorite personalized gift on Etsy.
Here are four lithophane ideas from Etsy shops, from a simple photo night light to a 42 cm moon lamp.
Photo Lithophanes
Most lithophanes are made from a customer’s own photo: pets, family, weddings.
Lithophane in a Dimmable LED Frame
A photo lithophane mounted in a frame with a dimmable LED behind it. The shop suggests it for portraits of pets and family photos.
See the Lithophane in a Dimmable LED Frame on Etsy
Photo Lithophane Night Light
A custom night light made from any photo you upload with your order. The shop lists weddings, anniversaries, pets, graduations and holidays as typical uses.
See the Photo Lithophane Night Light on Etsy
Colored Photo Lithophane
A lithophane that shows your photo in color when backlit, rather than the usual single-tone image. You pick a frame color and send the photo through Etsy messages after ordering.
See the Colored Photo Lithophane on Etsy
Lithophane Lamp Ideas
A lithophane doesn’t have to be a photo. Any image with depth works, and the moon is a classic.
Crescent Moon Lithophane Wall Lamp
A crescent-shaped wall lamp with a 3D lithophane moon whose surface shows up when the light is on. It runs on USB 5V with a 2 m cable, with an optional blue or green backlight and four frame colors.
See the Crescent Moon Lithophane Wall Lamp on Etsy
How to Choose a Photo for a Lithophane
Pick a photo with a clear subject and good contrast: a face, a pet or a single object reads better than a busy group shot. Light from behind is what makes the picture appear, so a lithophane needs a lamp, a frame with an LED or a window. Every shop above builds the light into the piece, which is the easiest route if you’re giving one as a gift.
Can You Make a Lithophane Yourself?
Yes. If you own a 3D printer, the photo is converted into a 3D model where dark areas are thick and light areas are thin, then printed in a light-colored filament. The shops above sell the finished piece with the frame and LED included, which saves you the trial and error.
