Product details

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What is a Lithophane?
The Greek origin of the word means "light in stone" or to "appear in stone".

 

How beautifully this describes these custom engraved Corian panels which, in ambient light, seem only to be bumpy surfaces forming a vague picture which is really nothing to see. But, when the lithophane is back-lit, a beautiful, three-dimensional picture appears in incredible depth and detail. Not only is a lithopane pleasing to look at, but you can also touch and feel the 3D engraving making it a unique piece of art that will amaze your friends and family. 

 

You select the type of light box, if any. Send us your favorite picture (electronic minimum  4" x 6" at 300dpi or greater) and we will engrave, assemble into our specially made box, and ship it off to you.Lead time is currently about a week. The basic light box is 7" x 7", other sizes are available through special order. Popular pictures are family members, weddings, baby pictures, and other personal pictures that are close to the heart.

   

What type of lights do you use and how is it powered?
We use high powered florescent "puck" lights that are rated at 60,000 hours (about 7 years) of use, your millage may vary but they should last a very long time. We do recommend that you turn it off when not in use.

What about colored Lithopanes?

A lithopane (or lithophane) is sheet of translucent material that varies in thickness, creating light and dark areas that correspond to the thickness.  By carefully controlling this the thickness, an image can be formed that is visible when lighted from behind.

 

The lithopanes we craft are made directly from the information provided by the photograph you provide. The image on the left is the original photograph, modified only to change it to black and white. The lithopane on the below is machined into a solid block of an acrylic polymer.

Like a stained glass window, a lithopane needs to be illuminated from behind to reveal the image.  Illumination may be provided by an incandescent or fluorescent light, candle light, or sunlight.  Direct sunlight is not needed -- the light from an overcast day will provide adequate back illumination. 

 

The lithopane can be used mounted or unmounted.  There are a number of mounting methods:

Although the first two mounting styles are commonly used as night lights, the image is bright enough to be viewed under normal room lighting using a 4 watt bulb.

 

The average delivery time is one week plus shipping time.  This could vary depending on order backlog.