Make a Lithophane from a PNG
A lithophane is a thin relief that reveals its image only when lit from behind — the thinner the section, the more light passes through. PNG to STL builds the negative relief and exports an STL you can print in white or transparent filament.
How a lithophane works
In a lithophane, brightness is inverted into thickness: dark areas of the photo become thick (block light), bright areas become thin (let light through). Hang it in front of a light source and the original picture appears, glowing.
The converter does the inversion for you — just choose the translucent material and a thick base, and the relief is already tuned for backlighting.
Settings for a clean lithophane
- Pick the Translucent (Resin) material preview — it reads as a glassy, backlit plate.
- Use a thick base plate so the thin sections have something to hang from.
- Start from a high-contrast image; portraits and simple scenes lithograph best.
- Let the converter auto-drop the background so only the subject is carved.
Printing & lighting
Print in white or transparent PLA/PETG for the classic look, or resin for finer detail. Frame the print and place a light panel or window behind it. The image emerges as the light passes through the varying thickness.
Frequently asked questions
Which material is best for a lithophane?
White or transparent filament gives the cleanest glow. In the preview, the Translucent (Resin) material shows how the plate will read when backlit.
Do I need a special printer for a lithophane?
No. Any FDM or resin printer handles lithophanes. The key is the relief geometry, which the converter generates for you.
Ready to try it? Convert your image to STL or 3MF in your browser — free, private, and with no sign-up.
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