Lithophane lamp: what it is, what it costs, and why it's the most surprising gift
A lithophane is a lamp that reveals your photo when switched on. What it is, how it's made, prices in Tenerife (from €25) and gift ideas. Delivery across the Canaries.
Switched off, it looks like just a nice lamp. Switch it on — and your wedding photo appears, in relief, floating in the light. That’s a lithophane: the gift that generates the most “wait, HOW?!” per euro spent.
What exactly is a lithophane
A lithophane is a 3D printed panel whose thickness varies millimetre by millimetre: where the photo is dark, the material is thick and blocks light; where it’s bright, it’s thin and glows. In daylight it’s a textured white surface; against the light, it’s your photograph with a depth no paper print can match.
The technique is almost 200 years old — 19th-century artisans carved them in porcelain. 3D printing made it accessible: today we turn any digital photo into a lithophane in a couple of days.
Formats we make at PifagorLab
| Format | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Flat lithophane with frame | One photo, backlit picture format | from €25 |
| Cylinder lamp | 3-4 photos around a glowing cylinder | from €40 |
| Lightbox | Photo + personalised text, mains or USB | from €35 |
| Sphere / heart | Special shapes for special occasions | from €45 |
| XL wall lithophane | Large format for living rooms or venues | ask us |
All include warm LED and power supply. Price depends on size and number of photos.
Which photos work best
- Work beautifully: well-lit portraits, close-ups, wedding photos, babies, pets looking at the camera.
- Work so-so: very dark photos, night shots, or wide shots with many small faces.
- Not sure? Send the photo via WhatsApp and we’ll tell you honestly whether it will look good — before charging anything.
Ideas that have won this year
- Anniversary: a cylinder with your first photo together, the wedding and the kids — your story in one lamp.
- Mother’s Day: a lightbox with grandma and the grandkids.
- Memorial: a beloved portrait that lights up every evening. The most moving order we make.
- New baby: the first ultrasound as a nightlight for the nursery.
- Valentine’s: a heart with the couple’s photo and the coordinates of your first kiss.
How to order it in time
A lithophane takes 2-4 working days. Send your photo via the form or WhatsApp, pick a format, and we deliver it ready to gift — in Tenerife, or on any island within another 24-72 h.
Looking for more gift ideas? See our personalised gifts guide.