According to the features of CuC2O4. H2O and the colloid/precipitation theories, a practical approach for the preparation of Cu/ZnO-based catalyst, which had high activity for methanol synthesis, was proposed and verified in experiments. Coprecipitation reaction in the ethanol solution aias found to be an effective route for the preparation of a highly active and selective catalyst. The characterization of XRD, N-2 physisorption, TEM and the measurement of the copper surface area by nitrous oxide titration revealed that preparation conditions have a significant influence on the structure and surface properties of the precursors and the catalysts, as well as on the catalytic activities for methanol synthesis from CO2 hydrogenation.