In this study, possibilities of scaling up the synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods (NRs) by the hydrothermal method have been explored. It was found that batches yielding several grams can easily be made using common and easily available materials. Further, a printable composition was fabricated by mixing the obtained ZnO NRs into a common solvent-based screen printable varnish. Scanning electron microscope, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, UV-vis spectroscopy analysis of the scaled up batch indicated that the ZnO nanostructures were of NRs shape, well crystalline and having less defects. Using the ZnO NRs-based printable composition a device fabrication on a flexible substrate was demonstrated, producing a flexible light-emitting device being highly tolerant to bending.