Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to techniques for manufacturing an eyepiece (or eyepiece layer) by applying multiple, different diffraction gratings to a single side of an eyepiece substrate instead of applying different gratings to different sides (e.g., opposite surfaces) of the substrate. Embodiments are also directed to the eyepiece (or eyepiece layer) that is arranged to have multiple, different diffraction gratings on a single side of the eyepiece substrate. In some embodiments, two or more grating patterns are superimposed to create a combination pattern in a template (e.g., a master), which is then used to apply the combination pattern to a single side of the eyepiece substrate. In some embodiments, multiple layers of patterned material (e.g., with differing refraction indices) are applied to a single side of the substrate. In some examples, the combined grating patterns are orthogonal pupil expander and exit pupil expander grating patterns.