Sculpted photo reliefs
Your photo carved into a plaque you can see and touch, so faces and fur stand out in real depth. Choose a palette that runs from black to white, auto match your photo's colours, or pick up to four colours yourself.
- 5.5 to 7.5 mm thick
- Deep carving you can feel
- Bold colour bands
Free 3D preview with your own photo. Printed to order in Manchester and posted within 5 working days.
Printed in PLA plastic. Please keep it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators, heaters and other sources of heat, as warmth can soften PLA plastic.
Choose your style
Your own coloursPick from one to four of our 21 colours. White on black gives a bold, striking look.Try it with your photo
One colourA single filament, so the carving does all the work. White, gold and silver are lovely choices.Try it with your photo
Colour palettesFour colours rising through the carving from black to white, in 12 palettes such as Greyscale, Sepia, Crimson and Twilight, or let Auto match suit your photo.Try it with your photoPictures are previews from our 3D studio, using sample photos. Photos of finished prints are on the way.
Relief, painting or lithophane?
| Sculpted relief | Filament painting | Lithophane | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A carved plaque with real 3D depth | A thin, flat picture built from coloured layers | A white panel that reveals your photo when lit |
| Thickness | 5.5 to 7.5 mm, you can feel the carving | About 2 mm, nearly flat to the touch | 1 to 3 mm |
| Colour | Bold, solid bands of up to four colours | Up to four colours that blend smoothly into each other | White, or full colour when lit |
| Seen in | Everyday light; side light shows off the depth | Everyday light, from the front | Light from behind: a window, lamp or LED stand |
| Price | from £18 | from £15 | from £12 |
How it’s made
Carved from light and shade
The brighter parts of your photo rise furthest from the backing, so every detail and all its contrast carries into the carving. You see the result in 3D straight away.
Carved on a solid backing
Each relief has a 2 mm backing with the carving rising up to 3.5 mm (small), 4.5 mm (medium) or 5.5 mm (large) above it.
Printed flat in fine layers
We print reliefs flat in 0.08 mm layers, so the contours are smooth. Colour styles change filament as the carving rises.
Which photos work best?
- One clear subject against a plain or darker background: a portrait, a pet or a family hug.
- Brighter parts of the photo stand out further, so strong light and shade gives the boldest carving.
- Side lighting in the photo helps faces and fur stand out.
- Try a few palettes: the preview shows exactly where each colour lands in the carving.
Upload a photo to the studio to see exactly how yours will look before you order.
Sizes and prices
| Size | Landscape | Portrait | Square | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 100 × 75 mm | 75 × 100 mm | 80 × 80 mm | £18 |
| Medium | 150 × 112 mm | 112 × 150 mm | 120 × 120 mm | £24 |
| Large | 200 × 150 mm | 150 × 200 mm | 160 × 160 mm | £32 |
Sizes are the photo itself. The optional printed border adds 2 mm all round.
UK tracked delivery £3.95, free on orders over £30.
Displaying it
Light from one side brings out the carving best, so a shelf near a window or a picture light shows it off beautifully.
Looking after it
Dust it with a soft dry brush. Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators, heaters and other sources of heat, as warmth can soften PLA plastic.
Questions
- What is a photo relief?
- A carving made from your photo with a 3D printer. The brighter parts of the photo stand out further, which keeps all its detail.
- Which photos work best?
- One clear subject against a plain or distant background: a portrait, a pet or a family hug. Busy backgrounds and big group shots come out flatter.
- Does it glow like a lithophane?
- No. A relief is made to be seen in normal light, and looks best lit from one side so the carving casts soft shadows.
- Can I choose my own colours?
- Yes. Choose how many colours you'd like, from one to four, then pick each one from our 21 filaments. The first colour is the backing and the deepest parts of the carving, and each colour after it rises through the carving to the highest parts. The preview shows exactly how it will look.
- How long does it take?
- We print each relief to order and post it within 5 working days. Tracked delivery usually takes 1 to 3 working days after that.
More answers on our FAQs page and delivery and returns.
More ways to print your photo
See your photo in 3D first
Upload any photo and turn the preview round before you pay. It’s free and takes a few seconds.
Make your relief