How long it takes to make Tiffany stained glass depends on the order: there is no fixed time, because every piece is original work. A sketch alone takes from a few days to a month, glass from suppliers in the USA, Germany and China sometimes takes weeks to arrive, and assembly takes longer the more small pieces the panel has. The fastest orders are those where the client already knows the technique, size, style and design.
Key points
- A stained glass sketch takes from a few days to a month, depending on complexity.
- Once the sketch is approved, a full-size cardboard template is made and the glass is selected.
- Glass from manufacturers in the USA, Germany and China is ordered from suppliers, and the wait sometimes lasts weeks.
- The more pieces and the smaller they are, the longer the assembly; installation and the structure of the piece also affect the time.
- The advance payment is usually 50–70 % of the order value and is made after the cost estimate.
What stages does making stained glass involve?
Making Tiffany stained glass goes through eight stages, and each one adds its own time to the total. Dim Skla is a stained glass and glass workshop in Odesa, Ukraine: an art studio and a glass production facility. Work in the workshop follows this order:
- Discussing the task. Where the stained glass will go, what size, what style.
- Sketches. The artist draws options for the specific room.
- Sketch approval. The client chooses an option.
- Choosing the glass. A full-size cardboard template is made from the approved sketch and the glass is selected.
- Cost estimate. Once the sketch, the number of pieces and the glass are known.
- Advance payment. Usually 50–70 % of the order value.
- Production. Cutting, grinding, copper foiling and soldering every piece.
- Acceptance by the client. The client accepts the finished stained glass.
| Stage | What the time depends on |
|---|---|
| Sketch | The complexity of the design and how clearly the client pictures the piece |
| Glass | Whether the right glass is available or has to be ordered from suppliers |
| Production | The size of the panel, the number and size of pieces |
| Installation | The structure of the piece and the installation site |
How long does the sketch take?
A stained glass sketch takes from a few days to a month, depending on the complexity of the order. The sketch is ready fastest when the client knows what they want: the technique, size, style and design. Then the artist works on a specific idea straight away instead of trying different directions.
If the artist needs to see the room for the sketch, they visit the site when necessary. The sketch is made for the specific order and room.
Why can glass delay an order?
Glass can add weeks to the time if it has to be ordered from suppliers. The workshop uses stained glass from manufacturers in the USA, Germany and China, and the sheets needed have to be ordered, with deliveries sometimes taking weeks.
Dim Skla also uses glass of its own production, made in a fusing kiln. It is best to decide on the glass right after the sketch is approved: the choice affects the look of the panel, the cost and the waiting time.
How do size and the number of pieces affect the time?
The more pieces a stained glass panel has and the smaller they are, the longer it takes to make. In the Tiffany technique each piece is cut from glass by hand, ground, wrapped in copper foil and soldered to its neighbours. Every extra piece adds this work.
The number of pieces also affects the price. The cost can be reduced by using fewer pieces or replacing some of the glass with a more affordable one; fewer pieces also mean less handwork. We explain how Tiffany differs from film stained glass in a separate article.
How much do installation and structure add?
Installation and the structure of the piece are part of the time too: stained glass for a window, door or ceiling has to be not only assembled but also installed. The finished piece is installed by the workshop’s fitters, so the fixing method and structure are discussed in advance, at the sketch stage.
If the stained glass is going to another city, allow time for delivery: Dim Skla ships across Ukraine and abroad.
How to avoid delays: a client checklist
The time depends not only on the workshop but also on how quickly decisions are made. To avoid losing time:
- Decide on the technique, size, style and design before the first conversation.
- Prepare the dimensions and photos of the place for the stained glass.
- Collect examples of stained glass you like.
- Approve the sketch and glass without long pauses.
- Discuss installation and structure in advance.
Our article on the stained glass techniques ordered in Odesa will help you choose a technique.
FAQ
Can Tiffany stained glass be made urgently?
Tiffany stained glass is assembled by hand from separate pieces, and every panel is individual, so the work cannot be rushed. The client can shorten the time by deciding on the technique, size, style and design in advance and approving the sketch and glass quickly.
Why doesn’t the workshop give an exact time right away?
The time depends on the complexity of the sketch, glass availability, the number of pieces and installation. Before the sketch and glass selection these are unknown, so every order has its own production time.
When is the advance payment made?
The advance is paid after the sketch is approved, the glass is selected and the cost is estimated. It is usually 50–70 % of the order value.
Does the artist visit the site?
Yes, the artist visits the site when necessary. This helps make a sketch for the specific room.
How long does film stained glass take compared with Tiffany?
Film stained glass is made differently: stained glass films and lead strips are applied to a single sheet of glass, without cutting and soldering separate glass pieces. Its time also depends on the complexity and density of the design, so it is given after discussing the specific order.
To find out the time for your stained glass, call +380 67 783 40 89 or message us on WhatsApp. Discuss your order · Tiffany stained glass · Stained glass windows