Lithophane 3D Print Guide | Best Slicer Settings

Choosing Filament

Filament choice changes the result a lot. The best options:

⭐ White PLA

The most popular choice. Beautiful glow under light. Prints on every printer. Low warping and great detail.

BEST CHOICE

Natural / Translucent PLA

Slightly transparent. Warm amber glow. Softer look than white. Some photos can appear with muted colour.

GOOD OPTION

White PETG

Stronger than PLA, slightly flexible, better temperature resistance. Detail isn't quite as sharp as PLA.

GOOD OPTION

❌ Avoid: Colored / Dark Filament

Dark filament blocks light, so the photo won't show. Use only white or translucent filaments.

Cura — Best Settings

Copy these settings for a perfect result.

Setting	Value	Why?
Layer Height	0.1 mm	Maximum detail. Takes longer but the photo looks crisp.
Infill	100%	Solid infill is mandatory so light passes evenly. Never go below 100%.
Print Speed	30–40 mm/s	Slower speed = better surface quality = better photo detail.
Nozzle Temp	195–205°C	Standard PLA range. Tune slightly per brand.
Bed Temp	55–65°C	For adhesion. 60°C is perfect on a glass bed.
Supports	None / Off	No supports needed for a lithophane (when oriented correctly).
Cooling Fan	100%	Maximum cooling for PLA. Overhangs come out cleaner.
Print Orientation	Vertical (90°)	Layers run perpendicular to the photo, giving the best detail.

💡 Pro Tip: Vase Mode (Spiralize) For balloon / cylindrical lithophanes, enable "Spiralize Outer Contour" (Vase Mode) in Cura. Print time is roughly halved and the surface is smooth with no seam lines.

⚠ Warning: 100% Infill Only! Forget this and the infill pattern will show through the light and ruin the photo. No infill pattern is acceptable — solid fill only.

Lighting Tips

What kind of light should you use once it's printed?

🕯 Warm LED Tea Light (Best!)Flickering LED tea candles available on Amazon. 2700K warm white gives a romantic, beautiful glow. Battery operated and safe.

💡 Warm White LED BulbAn E27 / B22 4W–6W warm white bulb in a table-lamp base. Simple and effective.

📱 Phone FlashlightFor a quick preview a phone flashlight is enough. A tissue-paper diffuser softens the harsh light.

⚠ Avoid UV LightUV light will yellow the lithophane. Use only natural white LEDs.

🖨 Lithophane 3D Print Guide