Lithophane Maker › Diwali photo diya lithophane
Diwali photo diya lithophane
A diya-shaped lithophane puts a family photo inside the outline of a Diwali lamp. Lit from behind with an LED, it glows like a diya – a personal piece for the puja shelf, a window, or to give to family.
Open the free maker with a preset
- Diya panel – flat diya outline with a flat bottom, so it stands on its own; add a caption like “Happy Diwali”.
- Mini keychain – choose the diya outline in Keychain mode for small gifts.
- Four-photo light box – a festive night light with four family photos around an LED tea light.
How to make a photo diya lithophane
- Choose a photo – a family portrait from last Diwali works well. Crop close to the faces.
- Open the diya preset above and add your photo. The outline is already set to Diwali diya.
- Add a caption (a name, the year or “Happy Diwali”) and, if you like, a raised frame and hanging loop.
- Check the backlit preview, adjust contrast, then download the STL.
- Print upright in white PLA and place an LED tea light or LED string behind it.
Recommended print settings
- Filament: plain white PLA.
- Layer height: 0.12–0.16 mm; infill: 100%.
- Thickness: 0.8–3.0 mm; frame 3–5 mm.
- Size: 80–120 mm wide for display, 35–45 mm for keychains.
- Orientation: upright as exported, with a brim; no supports.
More for Diwali
Pair it with Diwali cookie cutters (diya, lotus, kalash, rangoli) or a diya cookie cutter for sweets, and stamp names onto clay diyas with the 3D stamp generator.
Frequently asked questions
Is the diya lithophane maker free?
Yes, free with no account. The STL is made in your browser and your photo never leaves your device.
Can I light it with a real diya or candle?
No – use an LED tea light or LED string behind it. Open flames and hot bulbs will soften or melt PLA (about 55 °C) and are a fire risk.
Can I add a name or “Happy Diwali”?
Yes. Type it in Caption; it prints on a strip under the photo. Glowing letters shine through when lit. Short text (up to about 14 characters) reads best on a 100 mm diya.
Can I hang it in a window?
Yes. Tick Hanging loop to add a small loop on top for a thread or ribbon. Hang it where an LED light or daylight is behind it.
What size should I print?
80–120 mm wide is a good size for a shelf or window. Smaller diyas (35–45 mm) can be printed as keychains and given as Diwali gifts.
What photo works best?
A close family photo or a single face with good contrast. The photo is centre-cropped to the diya outline, so keep faces near the middle.
More shapes (heart, star, curved frame, keychain, moon lamp) are in the Lithophane Maker. See also the Photo Moon Lamp Generator.