A first layer of first vertical light emitting diodes (VLEDs) is printed on a conductor surface. A first transparent conductor layer is deposited over the first VLEDs to electrically contact top electrodes of the first VLEDs. A second layer of second VLEDs is printed on the first transparent conductor layer. Since the VLEDs are printed as an ink, the second VLEDs are not vertically aligned with the first VLEDs, so light from the first VLEDs is not substantially blocked by the second VLEDs when the VLEDs are turned on. A second transparent conductor layer is deposited over the second VLEDs to electrically contact top electrodes of the second VLEDs. By this structure, the first VLEDs are connected in parallel, the second VLEDs are connected in parallel, and the first layer of first VLEDs and the second layer of second VLEDs are connected in series by the first transparent conductor layer.