Choose the Photo Night Light if you have one favorite photo and want a small, affordable gift. Choose the Hex Photo Lantern if you have four to six photos that tell a story together and want a bigger centerpiece. Both are photo lithophanes, printed to order from your pictures, and both glow from a USB-powered LED.
The two photo lithophanes at a glance
If you're new to lithophanes, our explainer on how a lithophane turns a photo into light covers the basics. Here is how our two options compare side by side:
| Photo Night Light | Hex Photo Lantern | |
|---|---|---|
| Photos | 1, portrait or landscape | 4–6 |
| Panel size | About 80 × 100 mm (3.1 × 3.9 in) | Six panels, 80 × 115 mm each |
| Overall size | About 4 × 4.6 in | About 6.5 in across × 5.7 in tall |
| Light | USB LED base, inline switch | Warm-white USB LED column, inline switch; black or white base and cap |
| Price | $15.99 + $4.99 US shipping | $59, free US shipping |
| Made in | 5–7 business days | 5–7 business days |
When the Photo Night Light is the right choice
The night light is built around a single image, so it works best when one photo says everything. It's small enough for a nightstand, a desk or a shelf, and it doesn't need much space to make an impression.
It tends to suit these situations:
- A child's room. A soft glow with a grandparent's face or a family photo makes a gentle bedtime light.
- A pet portrait. One clear, close-up shot of a dog or cat shows off fur texture beautifully.
- A memorial. A single well-loved photo of someone you miss, kept somewhere you'll see it every day.
- A budget-friendly gift. At $15.99 plus shipping, it's easy to order a few for grandparents, teachers or friends.
You can send the photo in portrait or landscape orientation. Pick the one that matches your picture, so we don't have to crop away anything important.
When the Hex Photo Lantern is the right choice
The lantern has six sides, so it turns a group of photos into one object you can walk around. As you turn it, each panel shows a different moment. That makes it a natural fit for anything with a timeline or a cast of people.
- Weddings and anniversaries: the proposal, the ceremony, the first dance, a favorite trip.
- Family gifts: one panel per grandchild, or one photo from each year.
- Milestones: a graduation, a retirement or a baby's first year.
You need at least four photos. If you send four or five, the spare panels get a printed pattern instead of a photo, so the lantern still looks complete from every side. The warm-white light and the choice of a black or white base and cap help it sit comfortably in most rooms.
Choosing photos for each option
The photo rules are the same for both: sharp, well-lit pictures where faces fill most of the frame, at least 1000 pixels on the short side, in JPG, PNG or HEIC. Skip screenshots and heavy filters. Our guide with six tips for the best lithophane photo goes into more detail.
A few extra points apply to each option:
- For the night light, choose your strongest single photo. A close-up usually beats a wide group shot, because faces stay large enough to show detail on a 3-inch-wide panel.
- For the lantern, the panels are taller than they are wide, so photos with a portrait feel fit best. Try to pick pictures with similar brightness, so no single panel looks much darker than the rest.
- For both, send the original file from your phone or camera rather than a copy saved from social media, which is usually compressed.
We check every photo before printing. If one won't work well, we message you so you can swap it out.
Power, placement and care
Both lights run on USB with an inline switch on the cable. The night light works with any USB phone charger, which makes it easy to place near an outlet or a computer.
The panels are printed in white PLA, which starts to soften around 55–65 °C (roughly 130–150 °F). LEDs give off very little heat, but keep either light away from sunny windowsills and hot cars. A soft, dry brush or cloth is all you need to remove dust.
Timing and ordering
Both are made to order in 5–7 business days, and shipping transit time is extra. If you're buying for a birthday, wedding or holiday, order with a little breathing room. Unlike other custom work, lithophanes don't have a $25 minimum order.
You can request either one through our custom 3D printing page. Attach your photos, tell us which lithophane you want (and your base color for the lantern), and we'll reply within 1–2 business days.
Night light vs. lantern FAQ
Can I order the Hex Photo Lantern with only four photos?
Yes. The lantern takes 4–6 photos. With four or five, the spare panels are printed with a pattern, so every side still looks finished when the light is on.
Which lithophane is better as a pet memorial?
If you have one clear photo you love, the night light keeps the focus on that single image. If you have several good photos from different stages of your pet's life, the lantern lets you show them together.
What if a panel arrives damaged?
Personalized items can't be returned, but we reprint a panel that arrives damaged. Contact us with your order details.
Whichever you pick, the best lithophane starts with the photos you already treasure. Send them over and we'll help you turn them into light.