Glass painting is one of the most rewarding crafts for beginners because the hardest part (the drawing) can be traced. Once you have a clean outline, the rest is simply filling in color and watching light pour through your work. Whether you are decorating a window, a jar, or a sun catcher, a good outline design is the foundation of every piece. For even more inspiration, browse our full guide to glass painting ideas for beginners and these glass painting pattern ideas and designs.
In this guide you’ll find 30 simple glass painting outline designs, organized from absolute-beginner shapes to slightly more detailed motifs. Each one works beautifully as a printable template you can slip behind the glass and trace with outliner (the black relief paste) before adding color. Scroll to the gallery near the end for the visual outlines you can save and print.
What is a glass painting outline?
An outline is the black (or gold/silver) border that defines each section of a glass painting. Traditionally drawn with outliner paste or a liner, it does two jobs:
- Holds the color in place so glass paints don’t bleed into one another.
- Mimics the leading of stained glass, giving that classic window-art look.
For beginners, the easiest method is to print a design, tape it behind a sheet of glass or acetate, and trace the lines. Once the outline dries, you fill each “cell” with transparent glass paint. The effect echoes traditional stained glass art and looks stunning as window art.
What You’ll Need
- A printed outline template (the 30 designs below)
- Clear glass, acetate sheet, or a glass object (jar, frame, sun catcher blank)
- Black outliner paste (or gold/silver for a stained-glass effect)
- Transparent glass paints
- Thin and medium brushes
- A toothpick or pin (to pop air bubbles and fix stray lines)
- Rubbing alcohol to clean the glass before you start
Beginner tip: Always wipe the glass with rubbing alcohol first. Oils from your hands are the number-one reason outliner lifts or paint beads up.
How to Use These Printable Templates
- Pick a design from gallery below that matches your skill level.
- Print it at the size of your glass surface (most work well at 100% on A4/Letter).
- Tape the template to the back of the glass or acetate.
- Trace the outline with outliner paste in one smooth, continuous squeeze. Let it dry 1–4 hours.
- Fill with color, working one section at a time so paint doesn’t pool.
- Cure according to your paint’s instructions (air-dry or low oven for bakeable paints).
The 30 Simple Glass Painting Outline Designs
Tips for Cleaner Outlines & Brighter Colors
- Squeeze, don’t drag. Let the outliner fall onto the glass for an even bead.
- Work top to bottom so your hand never rests on wet liner.
- Fix mistakes fast. A toothpick or cotton swab clears stray liner before it sets.
- Flood the color. Add a generous drop and guide it to the edges with the brush tip — glass paint self-levels for a smooth, glassy finish.
- Let layers cure fully before moving the piece, especially on curved jars.
Where to Use Your Finished Designs
- Sun catchers and window hangings
- Painted jars, votives, and candle holders
- Glass photo frames
- Diyas and festival decorations
- Coasters and small decorative panels
- Pair them with printable mandala patterns, rangoli designs, or mason jar decoration ideas for festive decor
More Painting Ideas to Explore
- 88 Glass Painting Ideas For Beginners
- 130 Easy Step by Step Painting Examples for Beginners
- 30 Simple Acrylic Painting Ideas For Beginners
- 40 More Pottery Painting Ideas and Crafts
Conclusion
Outline designs take the intimidation out of glass painting. With a printable template behind the glass, anyone can trace a clean motif and focus on the fun part — bringing it to life with color. Start with one of the beginner shapes above, and within a few projects you’ll be reaching for the intricate mandalas and festive motifs. Print a template, grab your outliner, and let the light do the rest.
Bored Art 
