Great question! It usually begins with a hand-drawn or digital sketch that’s turned into a full-size layout called a cartoon. From there, each piece of glass is cut, shaped, and fitted like a puzzle before being soldered and sealed. It’s a super hands-on process that makes each piece unique. If you’re considering commissioning a panel, Venus Glass Art https://venusglassart.com/ creates custom stained glass products that start exactly this way—and they walk you through each step.