Thickness creates the image
A lithophane uses varying material thickness to transmit different amounts of light. Backlighting reveals the light and dark areas.
Your photo · revealed by light
Turn your own photo into a custom lithophane.
We assess your photo, translate light and shade into a relief and agree the size, border and presentation. Choose a separate panel or discuss an illuminated indoor holder. You receive a quote before production; an enquiry is not an order.
Quote before production · attach files manually · delivery by agreement
Each photo needs assessment. Crop, relief, trial and presentation determine whether a readable physical result is possible.
Understand the construction
How light changes a 3D print.
The source photo matters
A sharp image with a clear subject and useful contrast is a good starting point. Dark, blurred or busy images need assessment first.
A preview is a proposal
A screen preview helps agree composition and crop. It cannot guarantee the detail, contrast or colour of the finished print under your chosen light.
MakerWorld MakerLab
How MakerLab illustrates the available approaches
These are official examples from MakerWorld MakerLab's Make My Lithophane tool. They illustrate monochrome and colour approaches, not OmniTechs projects or guaranteed results.
Monochrome with a frame
MakerLab shows a backlit monochrome portrait in a frame with a folding stand. Your photo requires its own crop, detail assessment and outside dimensions.
Official MakerWorld MakerLab example · Open Make My Lithophane
Colour using CMYK filaments
This MakerLab example combines cyan, magenta, yellow and white. Available colours, image construction and a physical trial determine what is feasible for your source photo.
Official MakerWorld MakerLab example · Open Make My Lithophane
Dimensions and settings
Agree the size and presentation before the quote
The generator helps identify an approach. We turn that into physical dimensions and a construction suited to the photo, printer and viewing conditions.
Orientation and aspect ratio
MakerLab offers landscape and portrait options with 4:3, 1:1 and 3:2 ratios. Preserve the main subject when cropping. An aspect ratio does not specify the finished size in millimetres.
Monochrome, colour and frame
Options include monochrome or colour, a three-size frame, fixed frame, lightbox or no frame. A choice still needs checking against your photo and required dimensions.
Finished outside dimensions
There is no universal lithophane size. Agree width × height, border, frame or stand, any depth, light source and viewing distance before the quote.
Crop and light preview
Fill, scale, rotation and mirroring help compose an image. A switched-light preview is useful for composition but does not prove the contrast of the physical print.
Tool options are discussion references. Your quoted dimensions and construction are confirmed after photo and feasibility assessment.
Choose the construction
One idea, two starting points.
Separate lithophane panel
A flat or gently curved panel for a suitable light source. Agree the border, size, orientation and intended holder in advance.
Illuminated indoor holder
A panel with a compact indoor presentation. The quote must explicitly cover the light source, power supply, cable, switch and use limits.
3D print estimate
Get a first starting price
Choose what you want printed. The form then asks for the details relevant to that route.
Estimate, not a quote · shipping €10 and packaging €7 included · confirmed after assessment
From
€98.09
incl. 21% VAT · €81.07 excl. VAT
Filament only: €1.63 · 65 g × €25/kg
- Assess and convert the photo
- €25
- Filament65 g × €25/kg
- €1.63
- Machine time5 hours × €2.50/hour
- €12.50
- Build plate changes1 × €1
- €1
- Unloading and checks5 min × €35/hour
- €2.92
- Packaging
- €7
- Shipping
- €10
- Costs before service markup
- €60.05
- Service markup 35% × €60.05
- €21.02
- Estimate excl. VAT
- €81.07
- VAT 21%
- €17.02
- Estimate incl. VAT
- €98.09
Breakdown lines exclude VAT. The final price follows assessment of the file or image, geometry, tolerances, failed-print risk, material availability and application. Electrical components are agreed per construction. Certification and safety-critical parts are outside this estimate.
Request your lithophaneFrom file to object
How we prepare a project-specific quote.
- 01
Photo and purpose
Attach the original manually. Explain what must remain recognisable, where it will be displayed and your permission to reproduce the image.
- 02
Proposal and quote
We assess crop, ratio, relief, size and presentation, then confirm scope, price and timing.
- 03
Trial and production
After approval we prepare the file. Critical image detail, fit and lighting are assessed against the agreed scope before delivery.
Choose a photo that remains readable at the finished size
Start with the original image, a recognisable main subject, sufficient resolution and a useful difference between light and dark. Hair, shadows, backgrounds and fine detail must remain legible at your intended size.
3D conversion cannot recover detail lost to blur or compression. We may propose a different crop, a simpler result or advise that the photo is unsuitable.
Compare a lithophane, surface relief and complete 3D modelJudge colour and contrast with the intended light
Thickness and backlighting create the image; it is not an ordinary colour photograph. Colour treatment or a multicolour construction can be discussed where the technique, source image and size permit. Exact screen or brand colours are not guaranteed.
Light colour, distance behind the panel and ambient light change the appearance. Describe how it will be viewed and agree what a physical trial needs to demonstrate.
Agree which panel, holder and lighting parts are includedFrom a generator file to a finished object
A generator can make an initial digital relief. Our quote can include source assessment, crop, model preparation, size selection, print, agreed trial, holder and delivery. Only the required work is included.
Image preparation, size, shape, material, printing time, finish, holder, lighting and quantity affect price. The calculator gives an initial starting estimate; the assessed photo and construction determine the quote.
Understand the cost of preparing and printing your imageConfirm image rights and the lighting scope
Supply your own photo or an image you have permission to reproduce. Portraits, artwork, brands and third-party material can involve further rights. We may request evidence or decline an unclear request.
For an illuminated holder, agree the electrical construction and use limits. A suitable individual component does not establish conformity of the assembled product.
Discuss a complete lamp or custom lampshadeDoes this route fit your project?
A useful starting point
- Your photo with a clear subject and known reproduction rights
- A separate panel or compact illuminated indoor display
- One personal object or an agreed small batch
Outside this offer
- A photorealistic complete 3D sculpture from one photograph
- Guaranteed exact colour, detail or contrast without a physical trial
- Automatic upload, immediate checkout or a fixed package price
Questions about custom lithophanes
What is a lithophane?
A thin relief with different thicknesses that transmit different amounts of light. Without backlighting you mainly see the surface; with light behind it the image appears.
Can any photo be used?
No. Subject, sharpness, compression, crop, contrast and intended size together determine whether a readable result is feasible. We assess the original first.
Can I order only the panel?
Yes. Include outside dimensions, shape and intended placement. The holder and lighting are separate choices in the quote.
Can a lithophane include colour?
Colour treatment may be possible, but thickness and light still determine the result. Exact screen colour and photographic quality are not promised.
Will I receive a digital preview?
If included in the quote, a preview helps agree composition and crop. It does not prove physical contrast or detail in your lighting conditions.
What does a custom lithophane cost?
The calculator shows starting estimates for a separate panel, frame or LED lightbox, in monochrome or colour. You receive a suitable quote after photo assessment.
Which photo would you like to reveal with light?
Include panel or holder preference, approximate size and quantity. Attach the original photo manually so we can assess it before quoting.