Make a Halloween lithophane lantern

A six-sided lantern of your own Halloween photos, from pumpkin carvings to the family in costume, glowing orange round an LED tea light. Every side is a lithophane.

Open the lantern maker

Free to design and preview. Downloading the STL needs a free account.

Make a Halloween lithophane lantern

How to make it

  1. Open the lantern maker. It opens set up for Halloween: 6 sides, 90 mm across, 110 mm tall, a frame round each photo and a 40 mm opening for a tea light.
  2. Add up to six photos, one per side: carved pumpkins, costumes, a black cat, a spooky house. Dark, contrasty photos look best lit from inside; the image editor can crop and darken them first.
  3. Click Preview and turn the 3D view to check every side.
  4. Click Generate Lantern STL and download it.
  5. Print it upright in white PLA with the settings below, and drop an LED tea light inside. An orange or flickering tea light gives the classic Halloween glow.

Print settings

Infill100 %
Any gap lets light through unevenly.
Layer height0.10 mm (0.08 mm finest)
Thin layers give smooth tones.
Speed30 to 40 mm/s
Slow walls keep the detail crisp.
Fan100 %
Good cooling sharpens the relief.
FilamentWhite PLA
Avoid translucent, sparkly or dark colours.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use one photo on every side?

Yes: upload the same photo for each side, or fewer photos than sides and the maker repeats them round the lantern.

Should I print it in orange filament?

No: print lithophanes in white PLA, which shows the most detail. Use an orange or flickering LED tea light for the colour.

Does it need a lid or a base?

It stands on its own; the lids and bases maker makes a matching lid or stand if you want to hide the light.

Is a candle safe inside?

Never use a real candle: PLA softens at about 60 °C. Only cool LED lights.

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