3D Printed Lithophane Cube Lamp – For Less Than $5

Turn your favorite photos into a unique, personalized lamp. This minimalist and modern cube doesn’t just light up — it transforms any space with the delicate relief of your lithophanes and the soft glow of a top light band for an elegant finish.

✨ Key Features

• Minimal & modern design: perfect for bedside tables, desks, or cozy corners.
• Fully customizable: generate square lithophanes from your images using free tools like 3dp.rocks/lithophane.
• Recommended lithophane size: 84.9 mm × 84.9 mm, thickness 2.44 mm (see documentation).
• Low-cost & easy build: total cost under $5 with widely available materials.

🛠️ What You’ll Need

• 1x USB 5V LED strip (pre-assembled, easy to find on AliExpress or similar).
• 2x M2.5 countersunk screws (4–6 mm).
• 4x custom lithophanes (84.9 × 84.9 mm, 2.44 mm).

⚡ Quick Assembly Guide

1. Insert LED strip in the BASE and wrap it around the center cylinder in a spiral.
2. Fix the strip at the top with a small clip/zip tie (recommended to prevent heat loosening).
3. Route the cable through the bottom channel to the corner exit.
4. Slide 4 lithophanes into the UPPER side rails.
5. Join BASE + UPPER with the snap-fit.
6. Secure with glue, 2x M2.5 countersunk screws (4–6 mm), or both.

🖨️ Printing Recommendations

• Orientation: Print each 3D model in the original orientation provided for best results.
• Seam placement: Fix the seam line to the inner side of each rail so that the exterior surfaces remain clean and uniform.
• Lithophane material: Use skin-tone, off-white, ivory, or bone-colored filament/resin for a more elegant look when the lamp is off. (The BASE and UPPER can be printed in any color of your choice.)
• LED color balance: Choose the LED strip tone opposite to the lithophane material color (e.g., use a cooler LED if the lithophane material is warm, and a warmer LED if it is cold) for the best visual effect.
• Lithophane thickness: Adjust the minimum thickness according to LED brightness and the desired contrast — both for resin and filament.
  • Resin: allows higher detail and smoother transitions.
  • Filament: ensure at least two perimeters everywhere to avoid light leakage.

💡 Why You’ll Love It

✔ A truly personalized lighting piece.
✔ Affordable and simple to assemble.
✔ A thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gift.
✔ Designed for easy 3D printing (no unnecessary supports).