Free Multicolor

STL Playground Lithophane Maker

Photo lithophanes as flat panels, cylinders, moon-style spheres or four-photo lantern boxes with a lamp base

STL Playground Lithophane Maker is a free browser tool for photo lamps and lantern boxes with a fitted base. Free with a free account: 100 credits a month and 10 credits per download, so about 10 downloads a month, personal use only. Selling prints needs Pro ($9.99/month) or higher. Exports STL, 3MF and OBJ. Last checked 11 October 2026.

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Opens stlplayground.com

At a glance

Price: Free with a free account: 100 credits a month and 10 credits per download, so about 10 downloads a month, personal use only. Selling prints needs Pro ($9.99/month) or higher.
Runs on: Browser
Exports: STL, 3MF, OBJ
Multicolor: Yes
Account: Required to download
Open source: No
Skill level: Beginner: fill in a form
Best for: Photo lamps and lantern boxes with a fitted base
Selling prints: On a paid plan Free-plan downloads carry a personal license, so no selling prints. Pro and Elite downloads carry a commercial license to sell printed items. No plan lets you share or sell the digital file itself.
How we checked: Read the tool page and docs Details from the maker's submission (Oct 2026); builder page loads, plus our check of STL Playground's export options and plans (Sept 2026)
Checked by: Mike Janssen
Last checked: 11 October 2026

Open generator

Sources: Lithophane Maker, Plans and credits, Terms of Service (file licenses) (checked 11 October 2026)

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About this generator

The STL Playground Lithophane Maker turns your photos into backlit lithophanes. It has four shapes: a flat panel, a cylinder, a moon-style sphere, or a four-sided lantern box that takes a different photo on each side, with mitred 45-degree corners so the sides meet cleanly.

For a lamp, it adds a modular base with a notch for the cord and a vented lid that snaps on. They are separate parts, so you can print the photo body in white and the base and lid in an opaque color. Sliders set the minimum and maximum thickness and the border, and an invert toggle makes a negative.

Designing and previewing work without an account. Downloading needs a free account with 100 credits a month, and every download costs 10 credits, so you get about 10 files a month for personal use. Selling prints needs a paid STL Playground plan.

What you can make

Flat photo lithophanes
Cylinder and sphere lithophanes
Four-photo lithophane lantern boxes
Lithophane lamps with base and lid

How to use STL Playground Lithophane Maker

Open the Lithophane Maker on STL Playground
Pick a shape and upload your photo, or four for the box
Set the thickness, the border and the lamp base
Create a free account and download STL, 3MF or OBJ
Print the photo part in white, add the base and lid, and light it from inside

What you'll need to print it

Filament and parts that suit what you make with STL Playground Lithophane Maker.

White PLA

Bambu Lab PLA Basic Jade White (affiliate link) Amazon
Polymaker PolyLite PLA Cold White (affiliate link) Polymaker EU: 3DJake (affiliate link)
Code gives 15% off your first order at Polymaker.

LED bases and puck lights

Bambu Lab LED Lamp Kit Bambu Lab
Bambu Lab Remote Controlled 16-color RGBW Puck Lights (2 pcs) Bambu Lab

0.2 mm nozzle

Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about that

STL Playground Lithophane Maker pros

Four shapes, including a box with up to four photos and mitred corners
Lamp base with a cord notch and a snap-fit vented lid as separate parts
Adjustable thickness, borders and an invert toggle

STL Playground Lithophane Maker cons

Downloading needs a free account, and the free credits cover about 10 downloads a month
Free-plan files carry a personal license only; selling prints needs a paid plan