ColorStack

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.

See also: CMYK lithophane generator, image to STL, and 3MF vs STL for multicolor printing.

Upload a photo and generate a lithophane in minutes—no install required.

Open LithoStack

Who it is for

  • Makers printing night lights, gifts, and desk lamps
  • Anyone with a single-color printer who wants photo relief prints
  • Users who prefer browser tools over desktop lithophane apps

What you can make

  • Rectangle, circle, heart, arch, and custom-size lithophanes
  • Negative lithophanes for inverted light/dark behavior
  • Backlit photo panels for LED frames and lamp kits

How it works

  1. 1

    Upload your image

    Open LithoStack and load a JPG or PNG. High-contrast photos usually read best when backlit.

  2. 2

    Set thickness and resolution

    Choose minimum and maximum thickness plus mesh resolution to balance detail and print time.

  3. 3

    Pick a shape mask

    Use rectangle, circle, heart, arch, oval, rounded corners, or match the image aspect ratio.

  4. 4

    Preview the relief

    Check the live preview so bright areas map to thinner plastic and dark areas stay thicker.

  5. 5

    Export STL

    Download a print-ready STL sized to your chosen dimensions.

Export formats

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

Example use cases

  • Anniversary gifts
  • Pet portraits
  • Logo night lights
  • Holiday ornaments

Frequently asked questions

Is this lithophane generator free?
Yes. You can upload, preview, and export lithophane STLs in the browser. Pro unlocks advanced 3MF workflows and higher limits.
What layer height should I use?
Many makers use 0.12–0.2 mm layers. Finer layers can improve smooth gradients on small lithophanes.
Do I need a multicolor printer?
No. Standard grayscale lithophanes use one filament and a light source behind the print.
Which shapes are supported?
Original aspect ratio, rectangle, circle, oval, rounded rectangle, arch, heart, and custom width/height.
How is this different from a color lithophane?
Grayscale lithophanes vary height only. Color lithophanes add CMYK filament layers for transmitted color—see our color lithophane tool page.

Related resources

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.

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.

CMYK lithophane generator

Create CMYK lithophanes optimized for AMS filament changes and backlit viewing. LithoStack handles channel mapping, preview, and export.

Image to STL

Turn 2D images into 3D printable STL meshes. Pick ColorStack, LithoStack, or FlatStack depending on whether you need layers, backlit relief, or a flat plate.

Multicolor 3MF export

3MF carries more than geometry—it can include materials, objects, and slicer-friendly structure. ColorStack Pro exports 3MF for supported multicolor workflows.

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.

Bambu AMS lithophane guide

Bambu AMS simplifies CMYK lithophane filament changes. This guide covers spool order, 3MF import, and backlighting finished panels.

3MF vs STL for multicolor 3D printing

STL remains universal geometry. 3MF can package multicolor structure and slicer-friendly metadata. Choose based on your printer and patience for manual setup.