A memorial lithophane is a photo of someone you love, printed into a thin white panel that reveals the picture when light shines through it. It can be a quiet, comforting way to keep a familiar face close. This guide walks you through choosing the photo, choosing the format and ordering, gently and at your own pace.
What a memorial lithophane is
A lithophane holds your photo in the thickness of the material. Our panels are printed in white PLA, from about 0.6 mm thick in the brightest areas to about 3 mm in the darkest. Unlit, the panel looks like a softly textured white relief. When the light comes on, the thin areas glow, the thick areas stay shaded, and the photo appears.
Because the image is made only of light and shadow, our white PLA lithophanes are monochrome. That suits memorials well: older black-and-white photos translate naturally, and color photos take on a soft, timeless look.
Choosing the photo
The photo matters more than anything else. You may already know the one you want. If you're choosing between a few, these points help:
- Sharp and well lit. A clear, in-focus photo gives the most detail.
- The face fills the frame. A close crop keeps their expression clear. In distant group shots, faces become very small.
- The original file, not a screenshot. Screenshots and heavily filtered photos lose detail.
- At least 1000 px on the short side, sent as a JPG, PNG or HEIC file.
- A simple background. A busy background competes with the face on a small panel.
We check every photo before printing. If one won't print well, we'll message you before we start. Our six photo tips for lithophanes go into more detail.
Working from printed photos
Many treasured photos exist only on paper. You can scan them at a high resolution, or photograph them yourself: lay the print flat near a window in daylight, hold your phone directly above it so the photo isn't angled, and avoid glare from overhead lights. Take the photo out of a glass frame first if you can, since reflections show up in the image.
Portraits from a professional photographer
Studio, school and sports portraits usually belong to the photographer, even when you bought the prints. For these, we usually need the photographer's written release before we can print. If you'd like to use one, it's worth asking the photographer early.
Night Light or Hex Lantern
We make two lithophane formats, each one made to order:
| Photo Night Light | Hex Photo Lantern | |
|---|---|---|
| Photos | 1 | 4–6 |
| Size | panel about 80 × 100 mm (3.1 × 3.9 in); stands about 4 × 4.6 in | six 80 × 115 mm panels; about 6.5 in across × 5.7 in tall |
| Light | USB LED base with inline switch | warm-white USB LED column with 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 |
The Night Light suits a single favorite portrait on a bedside table or shelf. It runs from any USB phone charger, so it can glow softly through the evening. The Hex Lantern holds a small life story: a childhood photo, a wedding day, time with grandchildren, a favorite place. With four or five photos, the spare panels get a printed pattern, so you don't need to find six.
If several family members would each like a keepsake, you can order a Night Light for each person, with the same photo or a different one. Our comparison of the night light and the hex lantern covers the differences in more detail.
A beloved pet deserves remembering too. Our guide to choosing the right photo of your pet covers eyes, fur and lighting.
Timing for a service or anniversary
Lithophanes are made in 5–7 business days, and shipping transit time is extra. Each panel is printed standing up at fine layers of about 0.12 mm, which takes several hours, and every lithophane is photographed lit before it ships.
If you're hoping to have it for a funeral, a celebration of life or an anniversary, please mention the date in your request. Your written quote states the production time, so you can see whether it fits before you pay anything.
Caring for a lithophane
- Keep it indoors, out of direct sun and away from heaters. PLA softens at around 55–65 °C (130–150 °F).
- Dust gently with a soft, dry brush or cloth. Avoid solvents and never soak it.
- Unplug the USB cable before you move it.
Personalized items can't be returned, but if a panel arrives damaged, we'll reprint it.
Memorial Lithophane FAQ
Can you use an old or faded photo?
Often, yes. A sharp scan or a flat, glare-free phone photo of the print works best. Faded color matters less than you might expect, because our lithophanes are monochrome. If the detail is too soft to print well, we'll tell you before printing.
Can I include several people or moments in one lantern?
Yes. The Hex Photo Lantern takes 4–6 photos on six panels, so each person or moment can have its own panel. With four or five photos, the spare panels get a printed pattern.
What if the lithophane arrives damaged?
Personalized items can't be returned, but we reprint any panel that arrives damaged. Just get in touch through our contact page.
There's no rush in choosing. When you're ready, you can send your photos and any notes through our custom 3D printing page, and we'll take good care of them.