A lithophane is a three-dimensional relief that reveals a detailed image when backlit. Thinner areas of the print let more light pass through, appearing brighter, while thicker areas block light and appear darker, creating a grayscale picture. This is a modern adaptation of an art form that was originally hand-carved from porcelain in the 19th century.
Our special 4-color lithophanes take this a step further by using a combination of four distinct filaments: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and White. These colors are layered on top of each other during the printing process to create a wide range of colors and effects when the lithophane is illuminated. Instead of a grayscale image, you get a vibrant, full-color picture that comes to life when you shine a light through it. The white filament is used as the base or "key" color to control depth and detail.
If you have a special photo you'd like to see transformed into a lithophane, we can now offer both traditional white and stunning full-color options!