How to Get Glow Ink Sacs in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Kill glow squids - the glowing mobs that spawn in total darkness underwater, usually in aquifers and cave lakes. Each one drops 1-3 glow ink sacs, which make sign text glow in the dark and craft into glow item frames.

What you need

A water-breathing plan (doors, potions or a conduit) for hunting underwater
Any weapon - glow squids have 10 health and no attacks
Optional: Looting III sword for extra sacs

Step by step

Find an aquifer or underground water pool in complete darkness - glow squids spawn below sea level where no light reaches, most commonly in lush caves and deep cave lakes.
Kill glow squids: each drops 1-3 glow ink sacs (more with Looting).
Use a glow ink sac directly on a sign or hanging sign to make its text glow with an outline - it stays readable in total darkness.
Revert glowing text any time by using a normal ink sac on the same sign.
Craft glow item frames: 1 item frame + 1 glow ink sac makes whatever you display shine.
Farm them: glow squids keep spawning in dark water, so a contained dark pool becomes a renewable ink source.

Java vs Bedrock

Identical in Java and Bedrock: same drops, same glowing-sign behavior, same glow item frame recipe. The glow is visibility only - glowing text and glowing frame contents do not emit actual light and do not stop mob spawns.

Versions: Added in 1.17 (Caves & Cliffs Part I, 21w03a) alongside the glow squid, which won the 2020 Minecraft Live mob vote. Hanging sign support for glowing text arrived with the 1.20 content cycle.

Frequently asked questions

Where do glow squids spawn?

In water in complete darkness, below the surface - underground aquifers, cave lakes and lush cave water. If you see glowing spots drifting in dark water, that is them.

Does glow ink light up an area?

No. Glowing sign text and glow item frame contents are brighter and outlined so you can read them in the dark, but they emit no light and mobs can still spawn nearby.

How do you make glowing text on a sign?

Write the sign normally, then right-click it with a glow ink sac. A normal ink sac switches it back.