Cos’è la litofania? La magia della luce nella stampa 3D

What is Lithophane? The Magic of Light in 3D Printing

April 30, 2025

Lithophany is an ancient artistic technique, today reinterpreted thanks to 3D printing , which transforms simple images into three-dimensional luminous works . In this article we explain how it works, why it is so fascinating and how you can use it to create unique and personalized objects.

🌟 What is a Lithophany?

A lithophane is an image engraved or printed on a semi-transparent material that comes to life only when backlit . Thinner areas allow more light to pass through, while thicker areas allow less, creating a light-dark image that appears three-dimensional when illuminated.

Simply put: it's a photo that "appears" with light!

🖨 Lithophane and 3D Printing: A Perfect Match

Thanks to 3D printing , it is now possible to create custom lithophanes directly from a photograph. The process consists of converting the gray tones of an image into physical thicknesses, where each gray level corresponds to a different height in the print.

The advantages of 3D lithophany:

Highly customizable (photos, logos, drawings)
Guaranteed “wow” effect once turned on
Ideal for lamps, photo frames, decorations
Printed in eco-friendly materials such as PLA

💡 Where is a Lithophane used?

3D printed lithophanes are used in many decorative and functional objects. Here are some examples:

Custom Lamps : Like the ones you find on Layerspin.ch
Backlit frames for special photos
Unique gifts for anniversaries, weddings or birthdays
Artistic decorations for minimal or creative environments

🔧 How lithophanes are created on Layerspin

Each Layerspin product is:

Entirely designed in Ticino
Printed with attention to detail, in high resolution
Made of quality materials, with LED support included (for lamps)

Just upload a photo to our site and you're done. We'll take care of the rest: from design, to printing, to final assembly.

🎁 A gift that ignites memories

Whether it's a family photo, your pet, your favorite stadium or a breathtaking landscape, a lithophane is an original way to preserve an emotion .