3D Printing A Lithophane

What is a Lithophane?

3D printing of a lithophane is the process of creating a three-dimensional reproduction of an image or photograph, designed to be viewed by shining light through the back of the object. The term lithophane comes from the Greek words “lithos,” meaning stone, and “phainein,” meaning to appear or to reveal. Traditional lithophanes were made by carving thin layers of porcelain or other translucent material, such that the thickness of each layer corresponded to the lightness or darkness of the image being depicted. When lit from behind, the resulting object would reveal a grayscale image with varying levels of transparency.

With the advent of 3D printing, lithophanes can now be produced more easily and with greater precision. A 3D-printed lithophane is typically created by first converting a digital image into a 3D model that contains the necessary variation in thickness. This can be done using specialized software or websites (see below). The resulting model is then printed using a translucent or white filament, with the image being revealed when the 3d printed lithophane is backlit.

3D-printed lithophanes have a wide range of applications, from art and decorations, such as Christmas ornaments, to practical applications such as creating custom lampshades or night lights. They can be produced in a variety of sizes and…