At first glance, this looks like a full-color photo.
It’s not.
It’s a 3D print… made with just four colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and white.
And yeah—it kind of blew my mind too.
Today, I took a picture of my dogs and turned it into a full-color lithophane. If you’ve only ever seen the classic black-and-white versions, this is a completely different level.
Let’s break down how it works—and how you can make one yourself.
What Is a Lithophane?
Most lithophanes you see are black and white. They rely on something super simple:
- Thin areas = more light passes through (brighter)
- Thick areas = less light passes through (darker)
That’s it.
They’re usually printed in white or translucent filament so light can shine through and reveal the image. It’s basically a grayscale photo made from thickness.
But what I did here? Completely different.
Full-Color Lithophanes (Using CMY… Not CMYK)
Instead of just using thickness, I used color blending—specifically:
- Cyan
- Magenta
- Yellow
- White (instead of black)
If that sounds familiar, it should. This is how traditional printing works.
Back in the day (and still today), magazines and photos were printed by layering ink:
- Each color is applied separately
- Your eye blends them together
- Boom—full-color image
What we’re doing here is basically the same idea… just with filament and light.
Instead of ink on paper:
- We’re layering colored plastic
- And using light as the “backlight” to blend it all together
How This Actually Works in 3D Printing
This is where it gets wild.
The printer is:
- Constantly switching filaments
- Laying down tiny amounts of each color
- Adjusting thickness and color at the same time
So now you’ve got:
- Geometry (thickness)
- Color blending (CMY layers)
Working together to create a final image.
When you backlight it?
That’s when it comes alive.
You start seeing:
- Greens and browns from blended colors
- Depth from thickness
- Fine details like fur texture
And sometimes what looks black… is actually a really dark purple underneath.
How I Made My Full-Color Lithophane
Here’s exactly how I did it:
1. Upload Your Image
I used Make My Lithophane on MakerWorld and uploaded a photo of my two dogs.
2. Switch to Color Mode
Instead of standard lithophane settings, I switched it to color lithophane mode.
3. Adjust Image Settings
I tweaked:
- Brightness
- Contrast
This is huge—if your image isn’t dialed in, your print won’t be either.
4. Export as a 3MF File
This keeps all the color data intact.
5. Slice and Print
The printer handles:
- Color swapping
- Layer blending
- Thickness variation
My print took about 6 hours.
The Moment of Truth: Add Light
Then comes the best part.
Backlighting it.
And yeah…
It’s kind of insane.
You get:
- Smooth color transitions
- Real depth
- Surprisingly detailed textures
Is it perfect? No.
- Darker areas can get a little muddy
- Color accuracy isn’t photo-perfect
But for a single print using four filaments?
This is one of the coolest things you can make right now.
Tips for Better Results
If you’re going to try this, here’s what actually matters:
Use a High-Resolution Image
Low-res = muddy print. No way around it.
Pick High-Contrast Photos
More contrast = better light definition.
Dial in Your Filament Profiles
Bad settings will ruin this fast.
Use Quality CMY Filaments
Cheap filament = inconsistent color blending.
Why This Is More Than Just a Print
This is one of those projects that hits different.
Because it’s not just a model.
It’s a memory.
A photo you turned into something physical… that lights up.
And the fact that it’s made with just four filaments?
That’s the part that still doesn’t feel real.
🔧 Tools & Materials:
* Multi-color 3D printer - https://amzn.to/42uOZME
* BIQU Lithophane Filament Bundle - https://amzn.to/4ttNIkZ
* MakerWorld / Make My Lithophane - https://makerworld.com/en/makerlab/makeMyLithophane
* HueForge - https://shop.thehueforge.com/
What I’m Doing Next
Next step?
I’m printing a frame for this and adding LEDs to properly backlight it.
Because once you see one of these lit up… you’re going to want to put it on display.
At some point, every maker prints something cool.
But every once in a while, you print something that feels like magic.
This is one of those.