Cu⁺ cations were introduced into the sodium-borosilicate (SBS) glasses via a Cu⁺–Na⁺ ion-exchanged technique. The photoluminescence (PL) properties of Cu⁺, Tb^{3 +} single- and co-activated SBS glasses, and the energy transfer (ET) process from Cu⁺ to Tb^{3 +} cations were systematically investigated through energy-level diagram, decay curves, absorption spectra, PL excitation and emission spectra. Under the excitation of UV-light, Cu⁺-activated SBS glasses emit blue-greenish photons in the visible range, originating from the 3d⁹4s¹ → 3d¹⁰ transition of Cu⁺ cations. Moreover, the intensities of the excitation and emission bands of Cu⁺ can be tailored by appropriately tuning the ion-exchange time. Significantly, enhancement of green emission of Tb^{3 +} was observed via utilization of Cu⁺cations as efficient sensitizers. The influence of the ion-exchange temperature and the salt bath with varied ratios of CuSO₄ to Na₂SO₄ on the interaction between Cu⁺ and Tb^{3 +}cations was also discussed. Our research will help understand the enhancement mechanisms of Tb^{3 +} emissions in Cu⁺/Tb^{3 +}-codoped amorphous systems.