<p>As @agarza suggests, your description matches that of a lithophane. According to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithophane" rel="noreferrer">wiki page</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>A lithophane is a thin plaque of translucent material, normally porcelain, which has been moulded to varying thickness, such that when lit from behind the different thicknesses show as different shades, forming an image.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It's a curious reference suggesting the material is porcelain, which may be traditional, but 3D printing has provided an &quot;update&quot; to the construction. One can find <a href="https://www.lithophanemaker.com/" rel="noreferrer">lithophane creator software</a> across many platforms and programs, allowing for different colors based on 3D printer filament selection. Image from linked site.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/GPXdWIOQ.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/GPXdWIOQ.jpg" alt="lithophane lamp" /></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-04-29T17:03:08.237Z
Not so curious since this has been done using porcelain for well over a thousand years.
rebusB
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-04-29T17:04:44.993Z
Yes, hence the reference to "traditional" as I wasn't on the planet a thousand years ago.
fred_dot_u
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-04-29T21:35:44.770Z
I feel that there may be a resurgence in this technique, now additive manufacturing is commonplace. It does look gorgeous.
Mark Booth
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-04-29T14:32:44.790Z
2024-04-29T14:32:44.790Z
fred_dot_u
<p>Does anyone happen to know the name of the technique where you put a relief on the inside surface of a translucent material, so the outside is smooth, but light shining through it has shading depending on the depth of the relief.</p>
<p>I'm sure I took a photo of an example of this, with a label to remind me of the name of the technique, but I can't now find it.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-04-29T14:09:09.583Z
This sounds like it could be a [lithophane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithophane).
agarza
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-04-29T16:27:09.787Z
Thanks @agarza, don't be shy, if you'd said that as an answer, I'd have given you an up vote. *8')
Mark Booth
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-04-29T16:31:42.693Z
No problem, I just wanted to be sure if that was what you were looking for.
agarza
<technique-identification>
What technique provides a graded transmission of light through a translucent material with a smooth outer surface?
Mark Booth
# What technique provides a graded transmission of light through a translucent material with a smooth outer surface?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2024-04-29)

Does anyone happen to know the name of the technique where you put a relief on the inside surface of a translucent material, so the outside is smooth, but light shining through it has shading depending on the depth of the relief.

I'm sure I took a photo of an example of this, with a label to remind me of the name of the technique, but I can't now find it.

**Tags:** technique-identification

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This sounds like it could be a [lithophane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithophane).  
> **username_0**: Thanks @username_1, don't be shy, if you'd said that as an answer, I'd have given you an up vote. *8')  
> **username_1**: No problem, I just wanted to be sure if that was what you were looking for.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2024-04-29. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

As @username_1 suggests, your description matches that of a lithophane. According to the [wiki page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithophane)

> A lithophane is a thin plaque of translucent material, normally porcelain, which has been moulded to varying thickness, such that when lit from behind the different thicknesses show as different shades, forming an image.

It's a curious reference suggesting the material is porcelain, which may be traditional, but 3D printing has provided an "update" to the construction. One can find [lithophane creator software](https://www.lithophanemaker.com/) across many platforms and programs, allowing for different colors based on 3D printer filament selection. Image from linked site.

[![lithophane lamp](https://i.sstatic.net/GPXdWIOQ.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/GPXdWIOQ.jpg)

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Not so curious since this has been done using porcelain for well over a thousand years.  
> **username_2**: Yes, hence the reference to "traditional" as I wasn't on the planet a thousand years ago.  
> **username_0**: I feel that there may be a resurgence in this technique, now additive manufacturing is commonplace. It does look gorgeous.  

---

