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Lithophane Folding Fan (MakerLab)

Turns an image into a printable folding hand fan with lithophane blades

Lithophane Folding Fan (MakerLab) is a freemium browser tool on MakerWorld for a lithophane gift that is also useful. Free with built-in designs; Pro features (own images, sections, text, extra shapes) are a one-time $9.99 unlock, which MakerLab has offered at a time-limited discount. Exports 3MF; an account is needed to download. Last checked 26 September 2026.

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At a glance

Price: Free with built-in designs; Pro features (own images, sections, text, extra shapes) are a one-time $9.99 unlock, which MakerLab has offered at a time-limited discount
Runs on: MakerWorld
Exports: 3MF
Multicolor: No, single color
Account: Required to download
Open source: No
Skill level: Easy: a few settings to tune
Best for: A lithophane gift that is also useful
How we checked: Read the tool page and docs MakerLab hub data lists Pro Features at a $9.99 list price plus a separate time-limited discount price; the tool route asks for sign-in
Checked by: Mike Janssen
Last checked: 26 September 2026

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Sources: MakerLab tool list and add-on prices (checked 26 September 2026)

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About this generator

Lithophane Folding Fan is a partner app in Bambu Lab's MakerLab that generates a complete folding hand fan whose blades work as a lithophane. In normal light the fan shows a subtle relief; hold it up to a window or lamp and the picture appears. The generator spreads the image across the blades for you, adds the pins that hold the fan together and exports a 3MF for Bambu Studio.

The free version covers the built-in designs, the standard fan shape, basic relief settings and 2D and 3D previews. Uploading your own photo, splitting the fan into sections with different images, extra fan shapes and text layers with custom fonts are part of a one-time Pro unlock, and you can try those features in the preview before paying.

It is an unusual gift and a nice conversation piece. Keep in mind that a fan with a personal photo needs the paid unlock, and that a white PLA that lets plenty of light through gives the clearest image.