How to Print on Glass: Step-by-Step Guide
Printing on glass means applying your design directly onto a glass surface. It turns a simple piece of glass into something unique and valuable, such as a personalized mug, a photo panel, or a decorative sign.
To print on glass, you need to clean the surface, treat it for better adhesion, align it correctly on the printer, prepare your design, and print with the right ink layers.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the process and explore creative ways you can use printed glass at home, in a studio, or for small business projects.
How to UV Printing on Glass?
Glass printing can be tricky, so you need to have a UV printer, your digital design, UV ink, and primer ready, with primer being essential for strong adhesion and long-lasting results.
Step 1: Clean the Glass Surface for Perfect Adhesion
Before you print, you need to use a lint-free or microfiber cloth with isopropyl alcohol to remove fingerprints, dust, or oil. You can also lightly spray the glass with an alcohol-based cleaner and wipe it dry.
If you see any sticky residue, use deionized water or a small amount of acetone.
After cleaning, put on gloves so you do not leave fingerprints again. Let the glass dry completely before moving to the next step.
Step 2: Treat the Surface to Help the Ink Stick Better
Glass is smooth, so ink needs extra help to stick. You can apply a primer or try flame treatment to improve adhesion.
You can apply a primer, also called an adhesion promoter. It's a clear liquid that you wipe or spray onto the surface before printing.
Test it on a small piece first to find the best combination for your material.
If you want even stronger bonding, try flame treatment. Pass a torch quickly over the glass to slightly alter the surface tension. This creates a thin, invisible layer that helps the ink grip better. It is a good option for drinkware and other everyday-use products.
Step 3: Preparing Your Image File
Next, you need to prepare your digital design carefully before sending it to the printer. Open your file in software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator and follow these basics:
- Use a high-resolution image (at least 300 DPI) so your design looks sharp.
- Work in a wide color space (like AdobeRGB) for richer tones.
- Convert to CMYK before printing to match on-screen colors.
- Add a white ink layer to make colors pop and a varnish layer for protection or gloss.
Note: If you're using a eufyMake UV printer, you don't need to worry about ICC profiles right now. The printer's software will automatically optimize color to avoid issues.
Step 4: Position and Secure the Glass on the Printer Bed
Now you can place the glass onto the printer bed. Align it carefully with the bed markers to make sure your design prints in the right spot.
If the glass is flat, you can use jigs or tape to hold it still during printing.
If you're printing on mug or bottle, use a rotary attachment that lets the piece rotate smoothly during printing.
Be aware that glass reflects UV light. This reflection can bounce back into the print head and cause the ink to cure prematurely, damaging the nozzles. To avoid this, cover exposed reflective areas around your design with dark tape or black paper before printing.
Step 5: Set Up and Align Your Design
Open eufyMake Studio and connect to your printer. You can use the Snapshot feature to view the actual position of your glass on the print bed.
Upload your design, drag it into place on the preview, and resize or adjust it until it fits perfectly. Leave a small margin at the edges so the print does not run too close to the rim of the glass.
Once it looks right, save your setup. This live alignment helps you print with confidence and accuracy every time.
Step 6: Adjust Print Settings and Layer Order
Here, you'll select the settings that control how the ink is applied to the glass.
In user-friendly software like eufyMake Studio, you can simply select "Glass" from the material options. The software will automatically choose the best ink mode and color profile for a vibrant, durable finish.
For more advanced control, or if you're using RIP software, you can manually adjust these settings to customize your results.
Click 'Preview' to view your 3D model and confirm everything looks right before printing.
Pro Tip: To make your design stand out, always use white ink first as a must-have base. Without it, colors will look faded on transparent glass.
You can also print 3D textures for raised, tactile effects. After the white and color layers, add varnish to protect your print and give it a glossy or matte finish.
Step 7: Start Printing on Glass
With all your settings confirmed, you are ready to print.
Click the 'Print' button in the software. It will process your file and often show you helpful estimates, like the estimated ink usage.
After confirming everything, press the physical 'Start' button on your printer. The machine will begin its work, carefully applying each layer of ink and curing it instantly with UV light.
You don't need to wait by the printer. When your project is finished, you will get a notification from the software on your computer, phone, or even your watch. Your custom glass piece is now ready!
Step 8: Check Print Quality
After 24 hours, perform a simple tape test. Press strong tape on the design and peel it off. If the ink stays, adhesion is strong. Keep your workspace clean and maintain stable temperature and humidity for best results.
Comparing Common Glass Printing Methods
There are several ways to print on glass, and each has its own benefits and limits. Here's how they compare.
| Method | How It Works | Pros | Cons | Compared with UV Direct Printing |
| UV Direct Printing | Ink is printed straight onto glass and cured with UV light | Prints full color photos directly on glass, allows 3D textures, works on flat and curved surfaces | Requires proper surface preparation | Most flexible and fastest method, supports high detail and custom designs |
| Screen Printing | Ink is pushed through a mesh screen one color at a time | Durable and good for large batches | Slower setup, limited colors, less detail | Slower for small batches, fewer colors, less flexibility |
| Transfer Printing | Design is printed on a film and applied using heat or adhesive | Works on curved or uneven surfaces | Colors are softer, may fade | Less bright and durable than UV printing, less precise for high-detail work |
Each method works, but if you want high-quality detail and quick results, UV glass printing is often the best choice.
What Can You Print on Glass?
Glass is a versatile surface, and there are many creative ways to bring your designs to life. Here are some projects you can try
3D texture on Glass
Try adding raised patterns to a glass tray, embossed logos on a personalized award, or textured borders on a photo panel.
Glass Photo print
With a UV printer, you can print photographs on glass to create stunning, personalized decor. You can showcase family portraits, nature scenes, or abstract art that captures light beautifully.
Image: GoldenHomeArt | Etsy
Custom Glass Bottles
You can print directly on wine bottles, perfume bottles, or beer bottles for branding or gifts. The print can wrap smoothly around the shape when using a rotary attachment.
Glass Sign
Printed glass is ideal for walls, kitchen backsplashes, signage, or office partitions. It adds color and style without losing the clean transparency of glass.
Image: KreAtedwithLove5 | Etsy
Faux Stained Glass Art
With layered UV ink, you can recreate the look of stained glass without the complexity. Adding a varnish layer gives a glossy, dimensional finish that catches the light beautifully.
Glass Wall Art
Print high-resolution photos on glass panels for a modern frameless look. You can also create glass tiles, coasters, or decorative windows with unique designs.
Best Glass Printing Machine for Home and Small Studio Use
If you want a glass printing machine that works well at home or in a small studio, you need one that is simple to use and gives professional results.
With eufyMake's ColorMaestro™ technology, color matching happens automatically. You don't have to worry about faded or uneven prints. And with Amass3D™, you can print raised effects right on glass, creating smooth textures or embossed patterns that feel as good as they look.
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We've also made the setup simple. The machine's light system keeps UV reflections under control, so printing on glass or mirrors stays safe and accurate.
Moreover, eufyMake UV ink is suited for both hard and flexible surfaces. It sticks well and works with many materials, so you can print on glass, metal, acrylic, wood, and more without extra adjustments.
For curved or tricky surfaces, you can make UV DTF transfers with the same machine and apply them later. This gives you more flexibility to print on different types of glass, whether it's a bottle, a panel, or a décor piece.
If you're starting a small studio or just love personalizing things, this kind of glass printer gives you everything you need.
Final Thoughts
Printing on glass used to be tricky and time-consuming, but with machines like the eufyMake E1, it's now simple and creative. You can print photos, patterns, or 3D textures directly on glass, all from your desk.
FAQs about Glass Printing
Can you use a Cricut to print on glass?
You cannot print directly with a Cricut, but you can use it to create stencils for glass etching or painting, which gives a long-lasting design.
What are the methods of printing on glass?
From our experience, the main ways are screen printing for bulk work, digital printing for full-color images, and frit printing for fused glass effects. Each has its own strengths depending on your project.
How do you transfer a printed picture to glass?
To transfer an image to the glass, you need to print it on transfer film, place the film on the glass surface, apply heat or adhesive to fix the design, and then carefully remove the film.