ColorStack

Image to lithophane

Turn pixels into printable height data. ColorStack reads brightness from your image and builds a lithophane mesh you can slice and print.

Photo to lithophane in a few clicks—ideal for first-time lithophane makers.

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Who it is for

  • Beginners converting their first photo
  • Etsy sellers making custom lithophane gifts
  • School and makerspace workshops

What you can make

  • Photo lithophanes
  • Logo reliefs for lamps
  • Thin panels for LED strips

How it works

  1. 1

    Choose image to lithophane

    Upload from phone or desktop. Crop in your editor first if you need a specific composition.

  2. 2

    Adjust min/max thickness

    Thicker dark areas and thinner bright areas create readable contrast when lit.

  3. 3

    Select output size

    Set width and height in millimeters to match your frame or bed.

  4. 4

    Download STL

    Import into your slicer, print vertically or flat per your setup, and add backlighting.

Export formats

STL (heightmap relief) · 3MF (CMYK / AMS workflows on Pro)

Frequently asked questions

What image format works best?
JPG and PNG are supported. Higher resolution inputs give more detail up to your chosen mesh resolution.
Can I use a logo instead of a photo?
Yes. High-contrast logos work well. Very fine text may need thicker minimum thickness.
Portrait or landscape?
Either works. Use custom dimensions or shape masks to match your display.

Related resources

Lithophane generator

LithoStack in ColorStack converts photos into printable lithophane heightmaps. Upload an image, preview the relief, choose a shape, and export STL without CAD.

Color lithophane generator

LithoStack supports color lithophane workflows that use stacked CMYK-style layers so light passing through the print reproduces saturated color—not just grayscale relief.

How to make a lithophane

A lithophane is a thin plastic relief that reveals an image when light shines through it. This guide covers preparation, settings, printing, and lighting.