What thickness is best for a lithophane print?
The best lithophane thickness for FDM printers is 0.8 mm thinnest and 3 mm thickest for a 0.4 mm nozzle, with settings for other nozzles and filaments.
Short answer
For a 0.4 mm nozzle, print lithophanes 0.8 mm at the thinnest point and 3 mm at the thickest. Thinner panels are fragile and wash out; thicker ones block too much light and look dark.
Recommended thickness by nozzle
| Nozzle | Thinnest | Thickest |
|---|---|---|
| 0.2 mm | 0.6 mm | 2.4 mm |
| 0.4 mm | 0.8 mm | 3.0 mm |
| 0.6 mm | 1.2 mm | 3.6 mm |
Why the range matters
The difference between the thinnest and thickest points sets the contrast. A 2 mm range gives soft images; 2.5 to 3 mm brings out faces and fur. Keep the thinnest point at least two extrusion widths so the panel holds together.
Print settings
- White PLA, 100% infill, 0.12 mm layers.
- Print the panel standing upright so layers run across the image.
- Slow outer walls down to about 30 mm/s to avoid ringing on the surface.
Try the values in the lithophane maker; the preview shows the panel lit from behind before you print.